If you want to serve warm croissants
With an oven or air fryer, you can time the baking to suit when you plan to serve them. Check the instructions for your chosen bake-at-home, frozen or pastry option, as preparation varies by product.
Which option works best for you?
For small groups who want to keep preparation to a minimum
A ready-to-eat croissant can be a handy option if you want to shop on the morning itself. For example, Dirk and ALDI list croissants sold individually; check what’s available at the shop you plan to visit.
If you need to check ingredients and allergens
Check the details for the exact product before buying for your group. Ingredients and allergen information can vary between butter, plant-based, bake-at-home and frozen croissants.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide when you want to serve the croissants at your coffee morning. Then consider how many you need, any dietary requirements and how much preparation you can do.
Fresh croissants
Choose these: if you want to serve them without baking or only need a few.
Bear in mind: availability depends on the shop, and you’ll have less control over exactly when they’re baked.
Bake-at-home croissants
Choose these: if you want to bake shortly before serving and have suitable equipment.
Bear in mind: the baking time and how many croissants will fit in your oven or air fryer at once.
Frozen croissants
Choose these: if you want to shop in advance and bake them on the day.
Bear in mind: freezer space and the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
Croissant pastry
Choose this: if you want to decide on the shape or filling yourself.
Bear in mind: shaping and baking the pastry all the way through; PLUS gives a baking time of around 15–18 minutes for its croissant pastry.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving time | Preparation method and baking time for your equipment. | If guests are arriving at an agreed time, I want to know whether I can serve the croissants warm then. Around 29% of consumers say serving time is their top priority. |
| Number of pieces | Pieces per pack and the size of the croissants. | I want to buy enough croissants for my group without misjudging how many a pack contains. For around 29% of consumers, getting the right number comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to choose a suitable option. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Preparation and storage | Storage method and instructions for defrosting or baking. | I want to shop in advance and know what still needs doing on the morning itself. Around 21% of consumers put this preparation ahead of the other considerations. |
Common mistakes
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Treating fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants as the same product
The type of product determines how much work is involved before serving and how you need to store the croissants.
First decide whether you want to serve them ready to eat or bake them yourself. Then compare the number of pieces, weight and preparation instructions for the options that suit your plans.
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Assuming one butter croissant tells you everything you need to know about allergens
Ingredients and warnings can vary between products. The name ‘butter croissant’ doesn’t tell you which other allergens are listed.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, even if you’ve bought a different croissant from the same brand before.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
The mention of baker’s salt in one product tells you nothing about the ingredients in another croissant.
If this ingredient matters to your choice, read the ingredients list on the specific pack.
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Refreezing defrosted croissants
Jumbo and PLUS state that their respective frozen products should not be refrozen after defrosting.
Follow the instructions on your pack and only take as many croissants out of the freezer as you plan to prepare.
Defrosting too many at once could mean you can no longer use the croissants in line with the storage instructions.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes fresh, bake-at-home and frozen options.
- You can compare different types side by side, including mini and butter croissants.
- For fresh options, check that your chosen product is available through the shopping channel you plan to use.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists bake-at-home, plant-based and frozen croissants, among other options.
- The range gives you options for both planning ahead and baking them yourself.
- Check the number of pieces, ingredients and preparation method on each pack; the different options aren’t interchangeable.
Lidl
Lidl lists a butter croissant for in-store purchase.
- An in-store option if you want to buy croissants without baking them at home.
- Check availability in store, along with the product’s ingredients and allergen information.
ALDI
ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
- Buying them individually can work well for a small group.
- Check availability and product information at the branch where you’re shopping.
PLUS
PLUS lists butter bake-at-home croissants, frozen croissants and croissant pastry.
- The product pages provide preparation information for these options, among other details.
- Follow the instructions for the product you choose: bake-at-home croissants, frozen croissants and pastry all need different preparation.
Dirk
Dirk lists both an individual butter croissant and a pack of four bake-at-home butter croissants.
- These two options let you choose between buying ready-to-eat croissants and baking them at home.
- As well as checking the number of pieces, note the difference in preparation: the packaged bake-at-home option still needs to be baked.
Croissants at Joybuy
This selection includes a croissant to serve straight away, a bake-at-home pack, and mini and four-piece options. Choose what suits your serving time, and check the packaging for preparation and allergen information for each product.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
An option if you want to serve croissants without baking them. Check how many you’ll need for your group and read the ingredients and allergen information.
The product information warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may have an adverse effect on children’s activity and attention; bear this in mind if children will be eating them.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
For anyone who wants to serve four croissants warm and has time to bake them. Check the baking time and temperature on the packaging before you plan your morning.
If you’re looking specifically for butter croissants or need to avoid allergens, check the ingredients and warnings for this option.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants 200 g
The mini size could be ideal for a coffee morning when you want to offer smaller croissants. Check how many are in the pack and how they should be served.
If you have a dietary requirement, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four could suit a small group. Check the packaging to see whether and how you need to prepare these croissants before serving.
The ingredients information lists iodised salt for this option; don’t assume the same applies to other croissants. Also check the allergens on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose fresh or bake-at-home croissants for a coffee morning?
Choose fresh if you want to serve them without using the oven; choose bake-at-home if you want to bake them shortly before your guests arrive. Check that the instructions suit your equipment and schedule. PLUS gives a baking time of 4–6 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in the air fryer for one bake-at-home option; these timings won’t necessarily apply to other products.
Are all butter croissants suitable for the same food allergies?
No. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact croissant. Voedingscentrum stresses that common allergens must be listed; information can vary by product, including between fresh and frozen options.
Can I refreeze defrosted frozen croissants?
Don’t do this with the frozen croissants in question from Jumbo and PLUS: their product information says not to refreeze them after defrosting. Also follow the storage and preparation instructions on your pack.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so; check the ingredients list for the croissant you’re buying. The Covenant on the use of baker’s salt, published in the Staatscourant in 2008, encourages the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes, but doesn’t say that every croissant contains it.