Brunch planners with an oven or air fryer
You want to bake your croissants just before serving and can allow for the preparation time and, for frozen products, freezer space. Check which cooking methods are suitable for each product.
Who are these options for?
Weekend breakfast fans in a hurry
You’re looking for a butter croissant that only needs a short time in the oven. For some pre-baked varieties, Albert Heijn and PLUS specify an oven time of 4–6 minutes.
Shoppers who compare labels
You want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact croissant before buying, perhaps to check for butter, salt or iodised salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
Ready to bake from frozen
Choose this if: you have freezer space and want to bake your croissants just before a planned brunch.
Bear in mind: the longer preparation time and storage instructions. Albert Heijn specifies 18–20 minutes in the oven or 12 minutes in the air fryer for Picard Croissants. PLUS specifies storage at −18 °C and a baking time of 20–25 minutes for its large luxury frozen croissant.
Pre-baked for a quick finish in the oven
Choose this if: you want to serve warm croissants without much preparation.
Bear in mind: the difference between a quick bake and a ready-to-bake frozen product. The cooking method alone says nothing about taste or quality. For the butter varieties they reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS specify an oven time of 4–6 minutes.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving time | Check the recommended baking time, suitable appliance and storage temperature. | If I want to serve warm croissants just before a planned brunch, the preparation needs to fit my schedule. This serving-time consideration is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Quick preparation | Check whether the product is pre-baked and which oven or air fryer instructions apply. | If I’m making breakfast with little time to prepare, I don’t want to wait ages for the oven. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quick preparation. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the number of croissants, the weight, and any storage or defrosting instructions. | If I’m catering for several guests, I want to order enough croissants without choosing a pack I can’t store properly. Getting the right quantity is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact product, including salt per 100 g. | If particular ingredients or allergens matter to me, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. The label is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming that a product shown online can be delivered to your home
Albert Heijn’s luxury butter croissant and Lidl’s butter croissant are listed as in-store items on their product pages. Dirk does not offer a delivery service.
Enter your postcode and delivery slot, then check the status of the exact croissant in your basket. Don’t count on home delivery for an item that’s only available in store.
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Ordering frozen croissants without planning how to prepare them
A ready-to-bake frozen product needs freezer space and may take considerably longer to bake than a pre-baked variety. Follow the instructions for products that have already been defrosted, too.
Choose the quantity to suit your guests and work backwards from serving time to plan the baking. Check the temperature and timings on the packaging for your product.
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Expecting every croissant to contain iodised salt
Some croissant labels list iodised salt, but according to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Check the ingredients list for the exact croissant if this is important to your choice.
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Using ‘luxury’ or ‘butter’ as the only basis for comparing products
The varieties reviewed also differ in product type, number of croissants, preparation and allergens. The name or butter percentage alone won’t tell you which one is right for your brunch.
First, consider how much preparation time and storage space you have. Then compare the packaging and labels of the remaining options.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both croissants for a quick bake and Picard frozen croissants.
- The AH Roomboter croissants list 25% butter and an oven time of 4–6 minutes.
- The individual AH Luxe roomboter croissant is marked ‘In-store only’. Check the availability of your chosen variety for delivery.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists various types of croissant in its online category, including luxury butter croissants from the freezer.
- Jumbo Diepvries luxe roombotercroissants lists 23% butter.
- The product instructions say not to refreeze these croissants after defrosting.
Lidl
Lidl offers a butter croissant as an in-store option.
- The product page describes the croissant as made with butter.
- It’s marked ‘In-store only’, so don’t plan to have this variety delivered for your brunch.
Aldi
Aldi lists GOURMET Mini-roombotercroissants in a pack of 8, weighing 200 g.
- Knowing the number of croissants in the pack helps you plan portions for a group.
- The product page marks this pack as ‘Unavailable’, so check availability before counting on it.
PLUS
For the croissants they reviewed, PLUS offers delivery or collection and stocks both pre-baked and frozen varieties.
- The PLUS Croissants roomboter lists 25% butter and an oven time of 4–6 minutes.
- PLUS specifies that the large luxury frozen croissant must be stored at −18 °C and baked for 20–25 minutes.
Dirk
Dirk lists own-brand and Délifrance croissants for shoppers who are also considering a trip to the shop.
- The product pages list, among other options, a 4-pack of own-brand croissants and a 6-pack from Délifrance.
- Dirk does not offer a delivery service, so it’s not an option for home delivery.
Croissants on Joybuy
These butter croissants are options to consider for an online grocery order. If you want to serve them warm at brunch, check the cooking instructions on the packaging before buying. Don’t assume the baking times are the same as those for other brands.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
A mini pack to consider if you want to serve smaller croissants. The listed pack weighs 200 g. If you’re serving them warm, check the cooking instructions, and if you have allergies, read the latest label.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack that lets you plan the number of croissants to suit your guests. The product name lists 4 pieces and 180 g. If you want to serve them warm, check the cooking instructions, and if you have allergies, read the latest label.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ‘luxury’ croissant or a higher butter percentage automatically a better choice?
No. Neither tells you whether it will taste good or suit your brunch. Compare the product type, baking time, packaging and ingredients of the exact varieties, too.
Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t assume that all croissants do. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list for the product you want to order.
Which allergens should I check in a butter croissant?
Always check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. The butter croissants reviewed list wheat and milk; some varieties also mention egg or possible traces of other allergens.
Can I refreeze a defrosted frozen croissant?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. The Jumbo and PLUS frozen products reviewed say not to refreeze them after defrosting, so choose the number of croissants to prepare to suit your group.