Who are the different types of croissant suited to?

If you want to serve them straight away

If you want breakfast or brunch without baking at home, a fresh croissant from a shop is a convenient choice. Check the size and ingredients of the variety you choose when buying.

If you want to plan when they come out of the oven

Frozen croissants let you stock up in advance for a planned brunch, provided you have enough freezer space and can follow the storage instructions and baking time.

If you’re checking ingredients for your guests

If you’re looking for a butter, plant-based or seeded option, the exact product information can help you choose. If anyone has an allergy, always check the product’s latest allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide when you want the croissants on the table and how much preparation that allows for. Then compare the ingredients and any preferences your guests may have for each variety.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Butter recipe and presentation Check the ingredients and, if stated, the butter percentage and weight per croissant. For a special breakfast, I want to choose a croissant based on its recipe and size, not just its name. This is the most important consideration for around 36% of consumers.
Serving time and preparation Check whether the croissant is ready to serve or needs baking, and read the preparation and storage instructions. If brunch starts at a set time, I want to know how much preparation is needed and whether I need to make room in the freezer. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the exact product. When I’m buying for guests with specific ingredient requirements, I need to be able to assess each variety individually. This is the main priority for around 21% of consumers.
Variety for guests Choose the size or type you want, then check the recipe for that variety. For a group with different preferences, I might look for mini croissants, a filled croissant or a plant-based option. Around 14% of consumers give variety the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Treating ‘butter’ as a complete product description

    Butter tells you something about one ingredient, but on its own it doesn’t tell you the size, preparation method or all the allergens. For example, Albert Heijn states that its Luxe roombotercroissant (luxury butter croissant), 90 g, contains 25% butter; this doesn’t automatically apply to other croissants.

    Compare the ingredients and product information for the exact variety you want to buy.

  • Assuming bake-at-home and frozen croissants need the same preparation

    PLUS says its butter croissants for baking at home need 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C. According to the product information, PLUS’s Délifrance frozen croissants need 18 minutes at 185 °C and should be stored at −18 °C.

    Before buying, check the baking time, the equipment needed and the storage instructions for the pack you’ve chosen.

    You’ll also need to leave enough freezer space for a frozen variety.

  • Assuming ‘multiseed’ means wholemeal

    Albert Heijn offers a multiseed croissant, but the name alone doesn’t tell you whether it meets your preference for wholemeal or a white-and-wholemeal mix.

    Check the exact ingredients and whether it is labelled wholemeal. If you’re mainly looking for a white-and-wholemeal blend, consider a bread product that specifically fits the bill.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    The fact that iodised salt is listed in one product tells you nothing about the ingredients in another croissant.

    If this ingredient matters to your choice, check the latest ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

The range includes luxury, mini, multiseed and filled croissants.

  • AH Luxe roombotercroissant states that it contains 25% butter and weighs 90 g.
  • These details apply to this variety; check the ingredients and allergens for each product.

Jumbo

The category includes plant-based croissants, as well as mini and large Danerolles varieties.

  • You can compare different sizes and product types side by side.
  • A label such as ‘plant-based’ doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.

Lidl

Lidl offers a butter croissant in store.

  • An option to consider if you want to buy a croissant in store.
  • When buying, check the latest product information and availability in store.

ALDI

ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually.

  • Buying them individually can suit a breakfast where you only need a few croissants.
  • Ask in store about the ingredients and allergens if they matter to your choice.

PLUS

At PLUS, you can compare a butter variety that takes just a few minutes to bake with Délifrance frozen croissants.

  • The product information states that the bake-at-home variety takes 4–6 minutes at 200 °C, while the frozen variety takes 18 minutes at 185 °C.
  • The Délifrance variety must be stored at −18 °C; follow the instructions on the individual packs for both products.

Dirk

Dirk offers both packs of butter croissants for baking at home and fresh butter croissants sold individually.

  • According to Dirk, the 1 de Beste pack contains four butter croissants with a combined weight of 180 g.
  • Refer to the pack for the variety you’ve chosen for full ingredients and allergen information.

Croissants at Joybuy

These g'woon butter croissants give you a choice of mini croissants or a pack of four for breakfast or brunch. Check the pack to see whether they’re ready to serve or need baking first.

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

A good choice if you’d like to serve smaller croissants at breakfast. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack before serving.

View at Joybuy
g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

Ideal if you’re looking for four croissants in one pack for breakfast or brunch. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack before serving.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When should I choose fresh, bake-at-home or frozen?

Choose a fresh croissant from a shop if you want to serve it straight away, a bake-at-home variety if you want to bake it briefly at home, or a frozen variety if you want to plan when it comes out of the oven and have freezer space. For comparison, PLUS says its bake-at-home croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C, while its Délifrance frozen variety takes 18 minutes at 185 °C.

Which allergens should I check in croissants?

Check the allergen information for the exact croissant, including any mention of wheat, milk or egg and any ‘may contain’ warnings. Ingredients vary between varieties, so don’t rely on the product name alone.

How can I tell whether a croissant contains iodised salt?

Read the latest ingredients list for the croissant you’ve chosen and look for wording such as ‘iodised salt’. Don’t assume it’s present simply because the product is a croissant.