Who might find this choice makes a difference?

Host with little time to prepare

You want to serve the croissants at a predictable time and need a preparation method and pack size that suit the number of guests.

Home cook who wants to bake them at home

You want to time the baking to suit dinner and can set aside oven space. Frozen croissants and dough that you shape yourself each need a different kind of preparation.

Family comparing labels

Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information before you buy. These can vary between croissants and preparation types.

What should you look for when choosing?

For your family dinner, first decide when you want the croissants on the table. Then check the label and choose a pack size that suits the number of people eating.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
When to serve Check whether the croissants are ready to serve, need a short time in the oven, or need to be baked from frozen or made from dough. Read the baking time on the pack. If other dishes are using the oven, I want to know when the croissants will be ready; around 44% of consumers prioritise being able to serve them at a predictable time.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the current ingredients and allergen list. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. When I’m shopping for my family, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the croissants I choose; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Number of croissants Compare the number of croissants and the pack weight with the number of guests and the rest of the meal. I want enough croissants for my guests without having too many left over; this is the top priority for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘premium’ to mean nutritionally better

    That label doesn’t tell you how much salt or saturated fat a croissant contains. Voedingscentrum lists 5 g of saturated fat and 0.53 g of salt for a 45 g croissant; the values for a specific product may differ.

    Compare the nutritional information on the labels of the products you’re choosing between, using the same quantity.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    A name that includes ‘butter’ doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe. The ingredients and allergens listed differ between the pre-baked croissants, dough and frozen variety reviewed.

    Read the current ingredients and allergen list for every product you buy, even if you’ve used a different type of croissant before.

  • Leaving oven planning until just before dinner

    Albert Heijn says its pre-baked butter croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C. According to the product information reviewed, dough that you shape yourself and frozen croissants need longer in the oven.

    Check the instructions on the pack you choose before buying, and allow for other dishes that need the oven at the same time.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    You can’t tell which salt has been used in a particular croissant just from the product name or the shop selling it.

    If this matters to you, check the ingredients list for the type of salt used.

Brands to compare

These shops offer different types of croissants. Compare the specific product and its current label, not just the shop name.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants, among other options.

  • AH butter croissants come in packs of four, weighing 45 g each, and state that they contain 25% butter and take 4–6 minutes to bake at 200 °C.
  • Albert Heijn says that ingredients and nutritional information may change, so check the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers regular, luxury, plant-based and frozen croissants, among other options.

  • Jumbo butter croissants come in packs of four and state that they contain 25.2% butter.
  • Preparation methods and ingredients may vary between varieties, so compare the labels on individual products.

PLUS

PLUS offers both butter croissant dough and frozen butter croissants.

  • PLUS says you can cut at least six triangles from a roll of croissant dough; the Délifrance frozen croissants shown can be baked without defrosting.
  • The dough must be used immediately after opening. For both products, check the ingredients and baking instructions on the pack.

Lidl

Lidl describes an individual butter croissant from its in-store bakery.

  • Lidl says this croissant is made with butter and is only available in store.
  • For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, check the information provided with the product in store.

ALDI

ALDI offers an individual butter croissant, so you can choose how many to buy for each guest.

  • The croissant is sold individually.
  • Before choosing it for your guests, check the ingredients and allergens on the product in store.

Dirk

Dirk offers both an individual butter croissant and a pack of four from 1 de Beste.

  • Dirk says the individual croissant weighs 65 g; the 1 de Beste pack contains four croissants with a total weight of 180 g.
  • If ingredients or nutritional values matter to you, compare the labels on the two products separately.

Croissants at Joybuy

These g'woon croissants could suit a family dinner where the size and quantity per pack matter. Check the pack for serving or preparation instructions before adding them to your dinner plans.

G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g

G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g

The mini size could be a good fit if you’d like to serve a selection of smaller bites at your family dinner. The pack is labelled 200 g; check the label for preparation instructions and allergens.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

Four croissants could be a good choice if you want to plan the number of portions in advance. The pack is labelled 180 g; check the label for preparation instructions and allergens.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are butter croissants automatically suitable for a special dinner?

Not based on the name alone. Check whether the preparation method suits your plans, and compare the number of croissants, ingredients and allergens for the specific product.

Do you need to defrost frozen croissants first?

Not always: PLUS says the Délifrance butter croissants shown can be baked without defrosting. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

Can you refreeze defrosted croissants?

Not with the Délifrance frozen croissants shown by PLUS: the product instructions say not to refreeze products once defrosted. For other products, check their own storage instructions.