Host catering for brunch guests with different tastes
Wants to offer a familiar croissant to guests who don’t want seeds, without ruling out a separate multiseed option for everyone else.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Label-conscious shopper
Wants to know which ingredients are in a multiseed croissant and understands that seeds on or in the product don’t mean it’s wholemeal.
Home baker planning a warm serving round
Has oven space and wants to bake the croissants just before serving. Thawing, baking time and the label for the chosen product all need to be factored into the preparations.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a mixed Flag Day table, first decide what choice you want to offer your guests. Then consider how you’ll serve the croissants and which labels you need to check.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Classic and multiseed | Check the product name and ingredients list for both options. Check separately whether a product is labelled wholemeal; seeds alone don’t tell you this. | If your guests want different flavours and textures, it’s worth serving a classic croissant alongside a clearly different option. This freedom of choice would be the main priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Serving and preparation | Check the number of items and whether the product is ready to serve or needs thawing and baking first. | If you want to serve your croissants warm, you’ll need to take them out of the oven in time. That’s why serving plans would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for each option, including allergen information and any mention of iodised salt or baker’s salt. | When buying for guests with specific ingredient requirements, don’t rely on the label of a similar product. Checking the label would be the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multiseed means wholemeal
Flaxseed or sunflower seeds don’t automatically make a croissant wholemeal. The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for its multiseed croissant include wheat flour.
Check whether the product you choose is labelled wholemeal. If you’d also like a bread option labelled wholemeal, serve it separately.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The fact that one Albert Heijn product lists iodised salt tells you nothing about other croissants.
Check the ingredients of the product you’ve chosen, or ask the baker for information about unpackaged croissants.
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Allowing time only for baking
A bake-at-home product may also need time to thaw. PLUS says its small butter croissants should be thawed before baking.
Read the instructions on the exact pack you’re buying and allow time for thawing, preheating the oven and any batches you’ll need to bake before serving.
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Using the label from a different variety
Ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens vary between croissants. That’s why you can’t use the label for a classic croissant to check a multiseed one, or vice versa.
Check the packaging of every variety you actually buy again before serving the croissants.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Lists a multiseed croissant and croissants for baking at home separately.
- The ingredients for its multiseed croissant include flaxseed, sunflower seeds and iodised salt.
- The name ‘multiseed’ doesn’t confirm that it’s made with wholemeal flour. Follow the instructions on the pack you choose for bake-at-home products.
Jumbo
Its croissant range includes packs of six and a frozen option.
- You can compare pack sizes and varieties when buying for a group.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for each individual product.
Lidl
Offers croissants for baking at home.
- An option to consider when planning to serve croissants warm.
- Before buying, check the pack for preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens.
ALDI
Lists a fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.
- An in-store croissant could suit you if you want to serve them without planning a baking session.
- Check which variety is available in store and, if needed, ask for the latest product information.
PLUS
Offers, among other products, small butter croissants to thaw and bake, as well as other croissants.
- Separate thawing and baking instructions are provided for the small butter croissants.
- This variety lists wheat, egg and milk, and may contain soya; check the current label.
Dirk
Its bread range includes butter croissants.
- An option to look at if you want to buy croissants that don’t need baking at home.
- Check the variety you choose for ingredients and allergens, and check the current range.
Croissants for a mixed table
These Joybuy products could help you put together a selection for a mixed table: a pack of four croissants, butter croissants and a mini option. Choose a multiseed option separately if you wish, and check the preparation instructions for each product if you want to serve them warm.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A pack of four croissants for anyone who wants to serve croissants alongside a separately chosen alternative.
Check the pack for preparation instructions and factor them into your plans if you’re serving the croissants warm.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A butter croissant for a classic choice at the table, alongside a separately chosen multiseed option if you wish.
The product name lists four pieces and 180 g. Check the pack for allergens and preparation instructions before deciding when to serve them.
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G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g variety
The mini size could be a good option if you’d like to serve smaller croissants at your brunch table.
Check the weight and number of pieces on the pack when planning portions. Also read the preparation instructions and the current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multiseed croissant wholemeal too?
Not automatically: seeds alone don’t mean the flour is wholemeal. The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for its multiseed croissant include wheat flour. If you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal option, check the product name and ingredients list for the variety you’re buying.
Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that every croissant does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its multiseed croissant; check the label of other products separately, or ask the baker about unpackaged croissants.
How can I check croissants for guests with an allergy?
Read the current label for every variety you choose, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. The croissants described by Albert Heijn and PLUS list different ingredients and warnings, so don’t rely on the information for another croissant from the same brand.
How do I plan bake-at-home croissants for serving?
Remember to allow time for thawing, if needed, and for preheating the oven. PLUS says its small butter croissant takes about 20 minutes to thaw, followed by about 14 minutes to bake at 170 °C. Albert Heijn gives a baking time of 12–15 minutes at 200 °C for its bake-at-home croissants. Always follow the instructions on the pack of the product you’re actually using.