If you only have a short window to use the oven just before serving, pre-baked butter croissants with a quick finishing bake could fit your schedule. If you’d rather not bake at home, consider buying individual croissants in store. Ready-to-bake frozen croissants and dough that you shape yourself need more preparation and oven time, but give you the option to plan a platter in advance or add your own filling. For whichever option you choose, check the pack or retailer’s information for the quantity, preparation method and allergens.
Want to serve warm croissants while using the oven for other dishes too? Pre-baked options may only need a short spell in the oven: Albert Heijn and PLUS state that their butter croissants included in our research take 4–6 minutes to finish baking at 200 °C. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
Ready-to-bake frozen croissants could suit your plans if you want to shop in advance. The Picard pack included in our research at Albert Heijn contains eight croissants and, according to the product page, takes 18–20 minutes in the oven at 180 °C. Make sure you have enough freezer and oven space, and check the ingredients on the pack you choose.
With croissant dough, you can choose the size and add a sweet or savoury filling. The PLUS dough included in our research needs more preparation than a pre-baked croissant. Store and prepare it according to the product instructions, and include the ingredients of any filling when checking for allergens.
First, decide when the croissants need to be on the table and how much oven space you’ll have at that point. Then choose between buying them ready to serve, finishing them in the oven, baking them from frozen or shaping the dough yourself. Always check the pack for the exact product you choose.
Best for: when you have time for a quick spell in the oven just before serving.
Consider: you have less control over the shape and filling than you would with dough you shape yourself.
Best for: when you want to shop in advance and can schedule the baking for the evening itself.
Consider: you’ll need freezer space and must follow the preparation instructions for the option you choose.
Best for: when you want to pick up croissants just before dinner without using your oven at home.
Consider: check availability at your local store. If relevant to your guests, ask about the ingredients and allergens in loose products.
Best for: when you want to tailor the size, shape or filling to one of the courses in your dinner menu.
Consider: shaping the dough and baking it through take extra steps and require a planned slot in the oven.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving time and oven space | Compare the cooking time and oven temperature with the oven space you’ll have during dinner; also count how many croissants you need for your platter. | I want to serve warm croissants, but I also need the oven for other dishes. For around 33% of consumers, serving time is the main consideration when choosing. |
| Presentation and portions | Check the quantity and size. Use the butter percentage as information about that specific product, not as an indication of flavour. | I want the portions and shape to suit the croissants’ place in the dinner menu. For around 27% of consumers, presentation is the main consideration. |
| Custom shape and filling | Check whether the dough is intended to be shaped by hand and how long it needs to bake; remember to factor in the ingredients of any filling you add. | If I’m putting together a sweet or savoury course, I want to choose the size or filling myself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise customisation when making this choice. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and follow the storage instructions for the exact product. | I want to check what’s in the croissants and how to store them before buying for my guests. For around 20% of consumers, this information is the most important factor. |
The butter percentage tells you something about the composition of a specific product, but not whether the croissant suits your serving time, portion sizes or preferred presentation.
Compare the product information on the pack, then decide based on preparation, quantity and what your guests would like.
According to Albert Heijn, the Picard frozen croissants included in our research take 18–20 minutes to bake; PLUS says its croissant dough takes around 15–20 minutes. This could clash with the time needed to cook other dishes.
Set aside a slot for the oven in advance and check the instructions for the product you’re actually buying.
The name doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or potential traces are listed for a particular croissant. For example, the Picard pack included in our research lists egg as well as milk and wheat, and may contain traces of nuts and soya.
Read the latest allergen statement for every product you buy. For individual croissants from a shop, ask for the product information if a guest needs it.
Whether you can buy a product in store depends on what’s available at your chosen branch. For example, Lidl says that the butter croissant included in our research is only available in store.
Check with the branch or at your chosen time of ordering before adding the croissants to your dinner plans.
These examples show the types of croissants offered by the retailers mentioned. Choose based on the specific product and the latest information, not just the name of the shop.
A retailer where you can compare pre-baked croissants with ready-to-bake frozen options.
An option if you want to factor a pack of four frozen butter croissants into your portion planning.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between a quick finishing bake and shaping croissant dough yourself.
An option if you’d like to pick up individual butter croissants from the in-store bakery.
An in-store option if you want butter croissants without having to bake them at home.
An in-store option for an individual butter croissant.
These two Joybuy products let you choose between a pack of four croissants and mini croissants for a dinner platter. Before planning your oven time, check the pack to see whether they’re ready to serve or need to be prepared.
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An option if you’re planning a platter of four croissants. The product title states 180 g; check the net weight on the pack before working out portions. Also check the preparation method and the latest allergen information for your guests.
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The mini size could work well if you want to serve smaller croissants alongside other dishes. The product title states 200 g; check the net weight and number of croissants on the pack before planning portions. Also read the preparation instructions and allergen information for the product you buy.
Choose pre-baked croissants if you can only fit in a quick spell in the oven just before serving; Albert Heijn and PLUS state that their options included in our research take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C. Ready-to-bake frozen croissants may suit you if you want to shop in advance and have more time to use the oven: according to Albert Heijn, the Picard croissants included in our research take 18–20 minutes at 180 °C.
Yes, as long as you can follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened croissants in a kitchen cupboard for two days or in the freezer for one to three months. For an unopened pack, fresh dough or frozen croissants, check the product’s own packaging.
No, don’t taste the PLUS croissant dough included in our research raw: PLUS says it must be heated through thoroughly. Keep it chilled and follow the preparation instructions on the pack after opening.
Check the full allergen statement for the exact product, not just its name. The Albert Heijn and PLUS examples included in our research list milk and wheat; according to Albert Heijn, the Picard croissants included in our research also contain egg and may contain traces of nuts and soya.
Don’t assume so: check the ingredients list for the specific product if iodised salt matters to your choice. Albert Heijn and PLUS list iodised salt in the pre-baked butter croissants discussed here.
