The time-pressed host
You want to serve your guests without doing a lot of baking, while still having enough to go around. Individually sold croissants or a multipack with a short baking time are options worth comparing.
Which options suit different needs?
The host catering for different dietary needs
You’d like to offer an alternative alongside classic butter croissants, such as a plant-based or seeded option. Compare the ingredients and allergens on each pack: the product name doesn’t tell you everything.
The planner who likes to bake from scratch
You’d rather make time to bake warm croissants or add your own sweet and savoury fillings. PLUS, for example, describes croissant dough that you can cut into triangles yourself.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide when you need the croissants to be ready. Then choose a suitable quantity and check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for each option.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving quickly | Check whether the croissants are ready to serve or need baking, and look at the preparation time. | If the get-together is about to start, I want to serve them without having to shape the dough first. Minimal preparation would be the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare individual croissants with multipacks by quantity and total weight, so the pack suits your group. | For a small group, I want to put out enough croissants without having lots left over. Getting the quantity right would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including any statements about possible traces. | When guests have different dietary needs, I want to know exactly what’s in each option. Checking this would be the first consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Baking or filling them yourself | Check the preparation instructions, equipment needed and storage requirements before choosing a bake-at-home product or dough. | I’d rather make time to shape the dough for my own fillings than choose a ready-to-serve croissant. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise baking or filling them themselves. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming plant-based means allergen-free
According to Jumbo, its plant-based croissant contains wheat and gluten, and may also contain milk. So the word ‘plant-based’ doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with specific allergen restrictions.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements for the product you choose.
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Expecting every croissant to be served the same way
Ready-to-serve croissants, pre-baked options and croissant dough don’t all need the same preparation. With dough, you’ll need to shape it before baking.
Work backwards from when you want to serve them, and check the preparation and storage instructions before you buy.
Baking them yourself also means having oven space available just before your get-together. PLUS says its croissant dough should be kept chilled and, once opened, prepared and eaten straight away.
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Assuming seeded means wholemeal
According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s multiseed croissant contains sunflower seeds and linseeds, as well as several grains containing gluten and milk. Seeds alone don’t indicate whether a product is wholemeal or suitable for all your guests.
Take ‘multiseed’ as a description of this particular option, and check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack if they matter to your choice.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
Salt information can vary from product to product. You can’t tell which type of salt is used in a particular option just from the croissant category.
If it matters for your purchase, check the ingredients list for the croissant you’ve chosen for details such as ‘iodised salt’.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers options including pre-baked croissants and a multiseed croissant.
- According to Albert Heijn, the multiseed option contains sunflower seeds and linseeds.
- It also contains milk and several grains containing gluten, so check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers options including butter, plant-based and mini croissants for you to compare.
- The options shown give you a choice of type and pack size.
- According to Jumbo, its plant-based croissant contains wheat and gluten, and may contain milk.
Lidl
Lidl describes butter croissants that you can bake at home.
- This type of product works well if you want to plan the baking before your get-together.
- Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
ALDI
ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually in store.
- Buying them individually lets you choose a quantity that suits your group.
- If ingredients or allergens are important, check the product information in store.
PLUS
PLUS offers both bake-at-home croissants and butter croissant dough that you can shape and fill yourself.
- According to PLUS, you can cut a roll of dough into at least six triangles for sweet or savoury fillings.
- The dough contains wheat and milk, must be kept chilled and must not be eaten raw.
Dirk
Dirk offers both individual butter croissants and a pack of four.
- You can compare an individual croissant with a pack for serving several guests.
- When you buy, check which product type and preparation instructions apply to your chosen option.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants offer a choice between a pack to bake before your get-together, an individual Danish croissant and a pack of four butter croissants. Check the serving or preparation instructions for your chosen option before finalising your plans.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A pack of four croissants to bake before your get-together. Check the baking time and oven temperature on the packaging before deciding when to put them in the oven.
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Bakery Village Danish croissant, 85 g
An individually sold croissant, so you can choose the quantity for a small get-together. The stated weight is 85 g; according to Joybuy, this product contains wheat, egg and milk.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four croissants makes it easier to plan portions for your group; the stated total weight is 180 g. Check the packaging to see whether and how to prepare this option before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plant-based croissant suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten?
Not on the basis of the ‘plant-based’ label alone. According to Jumbo, its plant-based croissant contains wheat and gluten. Check the allergen information on the packaging for each option you consider.
How long does it take to heat pre-baked croissants?
It varies by product. Albert Heijn says its pre-baked croissants take 3–5 minutes in an oven at 200 °C; PLUS says its butter croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C. Allow extra time for the oven to preheat, and follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
How should I store pre-baked croissants after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. Albert Heijn says its pre-baked croissants should be refrigerated at a maximum of 7 °C after opening, and have a limited shelf life.
How can I tell whether a croissant contains iodised salt?
Check the ingredients list for the specific croissant for a statement such as ‘iodised salt’. Don’t assume which type of salt has been used based on the product category alone.