Which option is practical for you?

Picnickers without an oven on the go

If you want to serve the croissants as soon as you get to the park, choose a product that is already baked. Check the product description: chilled croissant dough needs to be baked before you eat it.

Home bakers with time before setting off

If you can bake at home and leave the croissants to cool before setting off, ready-to-bake dough is an option. Remember to allow time for the oven to preheat and the dough to be shaped, too.

Group organisers checking labels

If you’re buying for people with different dietary requirements or allergies, check the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for each option. If the croissants are unpackaged, ask about allergen information before you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the croissants need to be ready to eat at the park or whether you can bake them at home. Then check the packaging for preparation instructions, the number of pieces and any ingredients that matter to your group.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving straight away Check whether the croissants are already baked or still need to be baked. I want to be able to serve croissants straight away in the park, without preparing them there; around 42% of consumers prioritise serving them ready to eat.
Baking at home Check the number of pieces and the baking instructions. Albert Heijn says Danerolles Original should be baked for 12–15 minutes at 180–200 °C; follow the instructions for the option you choose. If I can bake at home, I want to make time for it before setting off; for around 33% of consumers, baking in advance is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the up-to-date ingredients list and allergen information; ask for this information if the croissants are unpackaged. For a group with different dietary requirements, I want to be able to check which ingredients and allergens are present; around 25% of consumers put this check ahead of convenience or baking them at home.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking ready-to-bake dough for a croissant that’s ready to eat

    The chilled dough products from AH and Danerolles included in this review still need to be baked. Danerolles explicitly states that its Original dough must not be eaten raw.

    Choose ready-to-bake dough only if you can bake it at home before setting off. If you want to head straight to the park, check that you’re buying a product that’s already baked.

    With ready-to-bake dough, you’ll also need time to preheat the oven and leave the croissants to cool.

  • Taking a vegan label as a guarantee that a product is allergen-free

    The AH Verse original option included in this review is labelled vegan, but contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk and lactose. Dietary preferences and allergen checks are two different things.

    For every purchase, read the ingredients list and the information on possible allergens on the packaging of the option you’ve chosen.

  • Searching by slice size instead of product type

    A label such as ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t tell you whether the croissants are already baked or are being sold as dough.

    Compare croissants by preparation method, number of pieces, ingredients and storage instructions.

  • Applying storage advice for baked croissants to dough

    The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened croissants in a kitchen cupboard for two days or in the freezer for one to three months. Different instructions may apply to chilled ready-to-bake dough; the AH and Danerolles options included in this review must not be frozen at home.

    Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve bought, especially if you have any left over after the picnic.

Brands and options to consider

The details below apply to the options listed, not necessarily to every croissant from these brands.

AH

AH Verse original is chilled croissant dough for baking at home. The packaging included in this review contains six portions of 40 g and is labelled vegan.

  • Albert Heijn provides preparation, ingredients and allergen information for this option.
  • The dough must be kept chilled and must not be frozen at home. It contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk and lactose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s croissant range includes plant-based, frozen and other options. The own-brand packaging included in this review contains six pieces.

  • You can check each option to see whether its product type and preparation method suit your plans.
  • The chilled own-brand option included in this review contains wheat and gluten, may contain milk and must be stored at a maximum of 7 °C, according to Jumbo.

Danerolles

Danerolles Original is chilled dough in a tin that you shape into six croissants and bake at home.

  • According to the product information on Albert Heijn, this option should be baked for 12–15 minutes at 180–200 °C.
  • The dough must not be eaten raw and should be stored at a maximum of 7 °C. The option included in this review contains wheat, milk and gluten.

Croissants on Joybuy

These two options suit different levels of picnic preparation: croissants to serve straight away, and croissants to bake at home before setting off. Check the packaging for up-to-date preparation and allergen information.

Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g

Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g

For anyone who doesn’t want to bake in the park: the product description says this croissant is ready to serve.

Weight according to the product name: 85 g. If you have allergies, check the latest packaging.

View on Joybuy
SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces

SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces

For anyone who wants to bake at home before the picnic: these croissants are described as a ready-to-bake product and aren’t intended to be served straight from the packaging without preparation.

The product name lists four pieces. Check the baking instructions and allergen information on the packaging before you buy.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I take chilled croissant dough to the park and eat it there?

Not without baking it first. The AH and Danerolles products included in this review are ready-to-bake dough; Danerolles explicitly states that its Original option must not be eaten raw. Bake the dough at home according to the packaging, or choose croissants that are already baked.

How should I store croissants left over after the picnic?

First, follow the instructions on the packaging for your product. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened croissants in a kitchen cupboard for two days or in the freezer for one to three months. Don’t apply this advice automatically to chilled ready-to-bake dough: the AH and Danerolles options included in this review must not be frozen at home.

Where can I find allergen information for packaged and unpackaged croissants?

For pre-packed croissants, read the ingredients list on the latest packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed there. Information about allergens present must be available for unpackaged croissants; ask the seller if you can’t see it with the product.

Does every croissant contain iodised baking salt?

Don’t assume that it does. The word ‘salt’ on an ingredients list doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether iodised baking salt was used in that croissant. Check the latest packaging and, if necessary, ask the manufacturer for product information.