Who is this choice relevant to?

Carers offering a first taste

If a fussy eater mainly accepts familiar flavours and textures, a small portion of a familiar croissant can be a gentle way to start. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against forcing a child to eat.

Families keen to introduce a new flavour

A sourdough croissant can be a considered choice if the eater is open to trying something new. Do check the ingredients: an artisan look doesn’t tell you whether a croissant is made with sourdough.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

If you have an allergy or intolerance, the ingredients in the specific croissant are what matter. Read the label or ask for allergen information when buying an unpackaged product, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether familiarity or a new flavour matters more. Then check the ingredients and allergens in the croissant you’re considering, and choose a portion that suits the occasion.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is it important for?
Flavour and texture Check whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients and whether the eater is willing to try a new flavour; don’t assume every sourdough croissant has the same texture. If a fussy eater mainly accepts familiar bites, I don’t want to introduce an unfamiliar flavour and texture at the same time. For around 42% of consumers, familiarity is the priority when making this choice.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label or ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged products. Also check whether sourdough is listed if that matters to your choice. If an allergy or intolerance is a factor, I need to be able to assess the ingredients in this particular croissant. For around 25% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the top priority.
Portion and role in the meal Check the portion size and, if relevant, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. For breakfast or lunch, I want to know whether the croissant is a small taste or makes up a larger part of the meal. Around 33% of consumers focus most on its role in the meal.

Common assumptions

  • Sourdough automatically tastes mild

    Albert Heijn describes sourdough bread as potentially having a slightly sour taste. That doesn’t tell you how a particular sourdough croissant will taste or how a fussy eater will react to it.

    Ask about the croissant’s ingredients and, if you like, offer a new variety as a small taste first, without putting any pressure on them to eat it.

  • All croissants contain the same allergens

    Ingredients and allergen warnings vary from product to product. A description such as ‘plant-based’ doesn’t replace checking the full label.

    Read the current label on a packaged croissant. When buying unpackaged products, ask about allergen information before you buy.

  • A croissant automatically replaces your usual bread

    For young children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as higher-fibre bread options. So consider a croissant as part of the whole breakfast or lunch, rather than on its own.

    Decide whether you’re offering a small taste or part of a meal, and compare the nutritional value of the product and the portion you’ve chosen.

  • Every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt

    The type of salt used depends on the recipe for the specific product.

    Check the ingredients list if the presence of iodine-containing salt matters to your choice.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

A useful point of reference if you want to compare the ingredients and baking instructions for a particular bake-at-home croissant.

  • The product page for AH Verse original croissants lists the ingredients and allergens.
  • The listing for this product doesn’t confirm that it’s a sourdough croissant.

Jumbo

A useful reference for exploring different types of regular croissants.

  • The croissant category lets you compare different product types.
  • Check each product to see whether sourdough is actually listed in the ingredients.

Délifrance

A reference for butter croissants, but not confirmation that a croissant contains sourdough.

  • The product information at Albert Heijn states that the butter croissant described contains 27% butter.
  • This product specification doesn’t automatically apply to other Délifrance varieties.

Croissants at Joybuy

This croissant is worth considering if you’re looking at a sourdough variety and want to check the ingredients and allergens first. Whether its flavour and texture suit a fussy eater is a separate consideration.

g'woon Butter Croissants, pack of 4, 180 g

g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

An option to consider if you’re looking for a sourdough croissant to try in a small portion. Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and follow the product’s preparation instructions before serving.

Pack: 4 croissants, 180 g in total.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a sourdough croissant automatically a good choice for a fussy eater?

No. The presence of sourdough doesn’t predict whether someone will like the croissant. Check that the product actually contains sourdough and, if you like, offer an unfamiliar flavour in a small portion first.

How do I check allergens in an unpackaged croissant?

Ask for allergen information about the specific product before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged foods; for pre-packed croissants, it appears on the label.

Does a croissant always contain iodine-containing baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume so without checking the product information. Look at the ingredients list to see whether iodine-containing baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.

What should I consider if a croissant is part of breakfast or lunch?

Think about the portion and the rest of the meal. For young children, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points to wholemeal and brown bread as higher-fibre bread options, so a croissant doesn’t have to play the same role in the meal.

How can I serve a bake-at-home croissant without putting pressure on someone to eat it?

Prepare the croissant according to the instructions for the specific product and offer a small portion first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against forcing a child to eat.