A small drinks gathering for two to four people
You want to choose an amount that suits your group without having too many left over. Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk offer croissants in packs of four.
Who is this useful for?
Planning ahead with frozen croissants
You want to keep croissants in stock and only prepare as many as you need. Check that you have enough freezer space and follow the thawing and storage instructions on the pack you choose.
Taking allergens and dietary preferences into account
Before serving, you need to know which ingredients and allergens the croissants contain. Information varies between butter, plant-based and dough options, so check the label on the specific product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many croissants you’re likely to serve. Then consider whether the preparation fits into your Friday plans, and check the storage instructions and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Getting the right amount | Check the number of items and the weight per pack; compare individual croissants with packs of four or six. | When I’m shopping for a small group, I don’t want to be left with a large opened pack. Around 31% of consumers prioritise choosing an appropriate amount. |
| Preparation and serving time | Check the preparation method, temperature and baking time on the pack. | When the guests are nearly here, I want to know how much preparation is still needed. For around 31% of consumers, timing is the most important consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredient and allergen information, including any statements about possible traces. | If someone can’t eat everything, I need to be able to work out which croissants I can serve. This is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Storage | Compare the storage instructions with the space you have available, and check the thawing instructions for frozen products. | I prefer to shop in advance, but I need to be able to store the pack as instructed until Friday. For around 15% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘plant-based’ means ‘free from allergens’
According to Jumbo, its Plant-Based Croissant contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. So the product name alone isn’t enough to tell you whether it’s suitable for a guest.
Check the current allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning on the pack.
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Buying dough for six when you only need a few
PLUS states that the tin of Danerolles dough for six croissants must be used in full once opened and must not be frozen. This makes it harder to save some for another drinks gathering.
Choose an amount you can use, or compare a pack of four with a frozen option whose storage instructions suit your plans.
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Taking ‘half loaf’ to mean a particular croissant size
Voedingscentrum classifies small croissants as small bread rolls. ‘Half loaf’ doesn’t clearly tell you how many croissants to buy for a drinks gathering.
Choose based on the stated number of items, weight and preparation method, rather than the term ‘half loaf’.
Brands and shops to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo offers croissants in packs of four and six, as well as frozen and plant-based options.
- The range of pack sizes and storage options gives you a useful basis for comparing quantities and planning.
- Check the current label for each product if ingredients or allergens will determine your choice.
PLUS
PLUS offers croissants in packs of four, as well as Danerolles dough for six croissants.
- Product pages include preparation and storage instructions to help you plan when to serve them.
- According to the instructions, dough for six must be used in full once opened.
Dirk
Dirk offers own-brand butter croissants in a pack of four, as well as other croissant options.
- The own-brand pack contains four croissants with a combined weight of 180 g.
- Check the pack if ingredients or allergens are key to your choice.
ALDI
ALDI offers butter croissants individually, making it an option if you want to choose the number one by one.
- Buying them individually lets you tailor the amount to your group.
- Check availability at your chosen store if you want to shop at a particular time.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers a range of croissants, including fresh, bake-at-home, frozen, mini and filled options.
- You can compare product types by quantity, preparation and storage.
- Albert Heijn advises customers to check the packaging, as product information such as ingredients and allergens can change.
Croissants for a small drinks gathering
These Joybuy products include croissants with a stated weight of 85 g, mini croissants and packs of four. Compare the number of croissants with the size of your group, and check whether each product needs to be prepared before deciding when to serve it.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
The stated weight of 85 g can help when planning a small portion. Check how many croissants are in the pack before deciding how many you’ll need for your guests.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
Four croissants give you a set amount for a small drinks gathering. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g
The mini size could be a good choice if you’d like to serve smaller croissants; the stated pack weight is 200 g. Check the number of croissants and the serving instructions on the pack.
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G'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
Four croissants with a combined weight of 180 g make it easy to plan the right amount for a small group. Check the pack to see how to serve or prepare them.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose four or six croissants for a small drinks gathering?
Choose four if that’s close to the number you expect to serve; go for six if you’re likely to use them all or want a few extra for unexpected guests. Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk offer packs of four, but always check the number of croissants in the product you’re buying.
Can I buy frozen croissants in advance for Friday?
Yes, as long as you can store them and prepare them in good time, following the product instructions. Jumbo says its frozen butter croissants should be stored at −18 °C. Once thawed, they must not be refrozen and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.
Are plant-based croissants also free from gluten and milk?
Not necessarily: according to Jumbo, its Plant-Based Croissant contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. Check the current packaging for the product you’ve chosen. If you need allergen information to make a decision, ask for it when buying unpackaged croissants.
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodine?
No, you can’t assume that every croissant does. If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product for an ingredient such as iodised salt.