Parents who want to start small
If a child eats very little, a small portion can help keep mealtimes relaxed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against forcing children who eat little and recommends serving small portions.
Who is this choice important for?
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
If you have an allergy, intolerance or specific dietary preference, the exact packaging matters. PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg among the ingredients in its mini butter croissant; another product may have a different composition.
Families who want to bake croissants at home
If you want to choose when to serve them and prepare them yourself, you could consider croissant dough or a bake-at-home option. Albert Heijn lists croissant dough, while PLUS offers bake-at-home butter croissants as a separate option.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose a suitable size and a familiar taste. Then check that the label and any preparation requirements suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and portion | Check whether the croissant is unfilled and look at its size or the number of pieces. | If a large portion or unfamiliar filling makes eating difficult, I want to start small with a familiar taste. This combination is a top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the current ingredients and allergen list; compare salt per 100 g and per intended portion. | If I have an allergy or a specific dietary preference, I want to know exactly what is in the croissant. Around 30% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Preparation | Check whether it needs to be baked at home or defrosted, and read the relevant instructions. | If there’s little time to prepare before serving, I don’t want to get home and discover that the croissant still needs to go in the oven. Ease of preparation is the biggest consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all butter croissants are the same
Ingredients and allergens vary from one recipe to another. PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg in its mini butter croissant and says that the product may contain soya.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging of the croissant you’re actually buying; don’t rely on the name or picture alone.
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Choosing an unfamiliar filling
Cheese or ham and cheese changes the taste and composition of a croissant. For a fussy eater, this type is best suited to someone who already knows and likes that filling.
Otherwise, start with a small portion of a familiar, unfilled option. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against forcing children who eat little.
A pack containing several pieces may be less practical if you first want to see whether they’ll eat one.
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Confusing salt per croissant with salt per 100 g
A figure per croissant cannot be compared directly with one per 100 g if the portions are different. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.53 g of salt for a 45 g croissant; this figure does not apply to every croissant.
Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then consider the portion you want to serve.
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Skipping the preparation instructions
A croissant that needs to be baked at home requires a different level of preparation from one that’s ready to eat. Defrosting may also be part of the instructions.
Before buying, check the packaging for defrosting instructions, equipment, temperature and cooking time.
Baking croissants at home takes time to prepare and requires the specified equipment.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Verse original croissants and Danerolles Original croissant dough.
- The Danerolles product page describes ready-to-use dough for six croissants.
- If you’re choosing based on ingredients or allergens, check the current packaging of the specific product.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s croissant range includes several types, such as plain, butter and filled croissants.
- The range gives you a starting point for comparing size, filling and preparation.
- Always check the exact product and current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information.
PLUS
PLUS provides product information for a mini butter croissant and bake-at-home butter croissants.
- You can compare details such as ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for these products. The bake-at-home option lists iodised salt.
- When buying, rely on the current packaging, especially if a particular allergen or ingredient is a deciding factor.
Dirk
Dirk lists individual croissants and bake-at-home packs, including 1 de Beste Roomboter croissants.
- The 1 de Beste product page lists four croissants with a combined weight of 180 g.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the specific product label before using that information to make your choice.
ALDI
ALDI lists individual butter croissants as well as a ham and cheese croissant.
- An individually sold croissant can be a good fit if you want to start with one portion.
- The ham and cheese option has a different taste and composition; check its filling and allergens separately.
Lidl
Lidl lists products including a cheese croissant as a separate option.
- A cheese option is a good choice if that taste is already familiar.
- Lidl directs shoppers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products; check it if you have a specific dietary requirement.
Croissants at Joybuy
These croissants offer options for a smaller portion, baking at home or a savoury cheese flavour that’s already familiar. The size, ingredients and preparation method will help you decide which option suits the occasion.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
An unfilled butter croissant for anyone who wants to start with a familiar taste.
The product name specifies four pieces and 180 g. The ingredients information lists wheat, milk, lupin, sesame and soya; if you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging.
Read the preparation instructions before deciding when to serve these croissants.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
An option if you want to bake croissants at home and have the time and equipment to do so.
The description specifies four pieces and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g. Compare this with the portion you want to serve.
Check the current packaging for allergens, baking time and temperature.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
The mini version could be a good fit if you want to offer a smaller croissant to begin with.
Check the weight and number of pieces on the current packaging before planning portions. The ingredients information lists wheat, milk, lupin, sesame and soya; if you have an allergy or intolerance, check these details on the packaging too.
Read the preparation instructions to find out whether you need to bake them at home.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant, 85 g
This ready-to-eat croissant is a savoury option if cheese is already a familiar taste.
The description specifies 85 g, cheese seasoning and melted cheese. It lists wheat, egg and milk as allergens, and also includes a warning about E102 and E110.
Check the current packaging for the full ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a croissant if my child only accepts a few flavours?
Start with a small portion of a familiar option, preferably one without a filling. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises serving small portions to children who eat little and not forcing them, so there’s no need to introduce a new filling at mealtime straight away.
Do I need to check the allergens in each butter croissant?
Yes. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging of the specific product. PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg for its mini butter croissant and says that the product may contain soya; don’t assume the same applies to other croissants.
Does every croissant contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be used in bakery products; PLUS lists iodised salt in a particular bake-at-home croissant. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the croissant you’re buying.
When should I choose a bake-at-home croissant instead of a ready-to-eat one?
Choose a bake-at-home croissant if you have the time and specified equipment to prepare it at home; choose a ready-to-eat option if there’s little time to prepare before serving. Instructions vary by product, so check whether it needs to be defrosted too.
Can a croissant replace a varied meal?
Don’t use a croissant as a substitute for variety in your diet. If a child eats little, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering small portions and not forcing them; if you’re concerned about their growth, you can ask your child health clinic for advice.