The late-night snacker who wants something now
You want to eat a croissant straight away, without using an oven or waiting. Albert Heijn and ALDI offer croissants individually.
Who might find the choice makes a difference?
The planner who likes a warm, oven-baked snack
You want to bake a warm croissant at home and can allow time for defrosting and preparation. Jumbo and PLUS offer varieties that need preparing.
The discerning grain seeker
You’re looking for a croissant with seeds or a different grain mix, but want to know what it actually contains. Compare the types of flour and fibre on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to eat the croissant straight away or bake it at home. If the grain mix matters to you, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat | Check that the croissant is ready to eat and available individually. | If I get hungry late at night, I want to be able to eat a croissant without using an oven. For around 40% of consumers, being ready to eat is the top priority. |
| Bake at home | Read the defrosting and baking instructions, and check how many croissants are in the pack. | I don’t mind waiting if I can bake the croissant at home and enjoy it warm. A warm, home-baked snack is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Grains and fibre | Compare the types of flour in the ingredients list and the fibre per 100 g; don’t judge by visible seeds alone. | If I’m looking for a milder grain option, I want to know what else is in the dough besides the seeds. This mix is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming multiseed means wholemeal
Seeds on top of or inside a croissant don’t tell you which types of flour have been used in the dough. So a multiseed variety might not be what you’re looking for if wholemeal is your priority.
Check the product description and ingredients list. Also compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
-
Buying a bake-at-home croissant when you want one now
A croissant that still needs defrosting or baking isn’t ready to eat in the same way as a ready-to-eat variety. Preparation requirements vary by product.
Choose a ready-to-eat variety if you don’t want to wait, or check the baking instructions before buying a bake-at-home product.
-
Guessing allergens from the product name
Ingredients vary from one croissant to another. For example, PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg in its small butter croissant, and warns that it may contain traces of soya.
If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information for the exact variety on the packaging.
-
Assuming the salt is iodised
The salt used can vary from one croissant to another. So a general assumption won’t tell you anything about the ingredients in the product you choose.
Check the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to your choice.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants, as well as an individually sold AH Multiseed croissant.
- The product information for the AH Multiseed croissant lists 3,6 g of fibre and 1,18 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal flour; the word multiseed doesn’t tell you whether it’s included.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a range of croissants, including plain, butter, filled and frozen varieties in different pack sizes.
- You can choose a product type that suits you, whether you want to eat it straight away or prepare it at home.
- Check the preparation instructions and grain mix for each pack; these aren’t clear from the category alone.
PLUS
PLUS offers an individually sold small butter croissant with product-specific preparation and allergen information.
- For this variety, PLUS recommends defrosting for around 20 minutes and baking for 14 ± 2 minutes at 170 ± 10 °C.
- These instructions apply to this variety. Check the packaging again if you choose a different product.
Dirk
Dirk offers a pack of four 1 de Beste butter croissants.
- According to Dirk, the pack contains four croissants with a combined weight of 180 g.
- Check the nutritional information for this variety if fibre or the grain mix will influence your choice.
ALDI
ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant individually.
- An individual croissant is a good fit if you’re looking for a single ready-to-eat snack.
- Check the packaging of the product you buy for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Croissants on Joybuy to eat straight away or bake at home
These two croissants suit different late-night snacking plans: Bakery Village is ready to eat, while the SCHOOF croissants need baking at home. Check the labels separately if grains or fibre are important to you.
Image unavailable
Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
For a late-night snack without having to use the oven: according to the product description, this croissant is ready to eat. It weighs 85 g. If you have allergies, check the latest label and note the product warning about E102 and E110.
Image unavailable
SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
For anyone who wants to bake croissants at home and is happy to wait while they cook. The pack contains four. Read the instructions before baking and check the latest allergen information if you have an allergy.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multiseed croissant automatically wholemeal?
No. The presence of seeds doesn’t prove that the dough is made with wholemeal flour. Check the product description and types of flour in the ingredients list. Compare the fibre per 100 g if it matters to your choice.
How can I check the allergens in a croissant?
Read the latest allergen information for the exact variety on the packaging. PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg for its small butter croissant and warns that it may contain soya. Don’t assume another croissant has the same ingredients.
Can I put a defrosted bake-at-home croissant back in the freezer?
Follow the instructions on the specific packaging. PLUS says that its small butter croissant must not be refrozen once defrosted.
Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so. In 2008, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport published an agreement on the use of iodised baker’s salt. According to the Dutch bakery industry, its use is not required by law. Check the ingredients list of the croissant you buy.