Parents who want to pack them straight away
A ready-to-eat croissant means there’s no need to use the oven on a busy school morning. Before packing it, check the current packaging and the school’s rules.
Which option suits you?
School breakfast organisers
If you want to serve several croissants warm, consider a frozen version if you have enough room in the oven and freezer. Preparation and storage instructions vary by product.
Buyers who put allergens first
If a pupil or group has allergy requirements, the information on the exact packaging matters more than claims such as ‘luxury’ or ‘butter’. Also check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the croissants need to be ready to take with you or whether you can bake them at home at a planned time. Then compare the allergens, portion sizes and instructions for products that suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces, and check the school’s policy. | If you want to hand out croissants at school, first find out which products are suitable for the pupils involved. This is a priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| Ready to serve | Check whether the product is ready to eat, and compare the portion size and ingredients of the exact variety. | On a busy school morning, you may want to take a croissant with you without baking it at home. This convenience is the deciding factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Baking at home | Check the required storage temperature, oven temperature and baking time on the packaging. | For a planned breakfast, you may want to serve warm croissants and have time to use the oven and room in the freezer. That makes baking at home the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
| Portion size and quantity | Compare the number of croissants, the pack weight and the nutrition information for the portion you plan to serve. | If several children will be eating, you may want to work out how many croissants you need and how large the portions are. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘butter’ or ‘luxury’ means suitable for someone with an allergy
The butter croissants reviewed list ingredients including wheat or cereals containing gluten, milk and egg; some products also warn that nuts may be present. The product name alone won’t tell you which allergens matter to a particular pupil.
Read the current allergen statement on the exact packaging and check the school’s allergy arrangements before handing the croissants out.
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Choosing a frozen croissant without planning for oven time
According to PLUS, the PLUS Luxury butter croissant, large, needs to be baked for 20–25 minutes at 165°C with steam and stored at -18°C. This means it isn’t suitable for packing straight from the freezer.
Plan the preparation and serving time around the instructions for your chosen product. If baking at home doesn’t suit your plans, choose a ready-to-eat option.
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Assuming different packs contain equivalent portions
A single large croissant, a smaller croissant and a pack containing several croissants won’t necessarily provide the same portions for a school breakfast.
Check the number of croissants and the weight of the exact pack, and compare nutrition information per 100 g or per portion on the same basis.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
According to the RIVM, Dutch iodine policy focuses mainly on the use of iodised salt in bread. That doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a specific croissant: PLUS lists iodised salt in its luxury frozen variety reviewed here, while Albert Heijn lists ‘salt’ in the luxury butter croissant reviewed.
If the use of iodised salt matters to your choice, check the product’s ingredients list.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH Luxury butter croissant reviewed is a single 90 g croissant. Albert Heijn states that it contains 25% butter.
- Ingredients, allergens and nutrition information are listed on the product page for this variety.
- The variety reviewed is listed as available in store only; check the current packaging before buying.
Jumbo
The range reviewed includes several types of croissant, including butter, luxury frozen, plant-based and larger varieties.
- You can compare products for eating straight away with options to prepare at home.
- A range page doesn’t replace the ingredients, allergen and preparation information for the variety you choose.
Lidl
Lidl describes the butter croissant reviewed as made with butter.
- The product page links to ingredients and allergen information.
- The product is listed as available in store only; check the information for the exact product in store.
Aldi
ALDI presents the butter croissant reviewed as a single item sold from its in-store bakery.
- Buying them individually lets you choose the number you need.
- If you’re buying for a group that includes someone with an allergy, ask in store for the ingredients and allergen information.
PLUS
The PLUS Luxury butter croissant, large, reviewed here is a frozen variety to bake at home.
- PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens, storage temperature and baking instructions for this variety.
- You’ll need freezer space and time to bake it in the oven before serving.
Dirk
The single butter croissant reviewed from Dirk is listed as weighing 65 g each.
- The stated weight helps you compare portion sizes.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety before buying, especially if you’re taking it to school.
Croissants to compare
These two butter croissant products have different pack and portion details to consider for the start of term. Before buying, check whether each one is ready to eat or needs to be baked first.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four croissants could suit a breakfast with several people.
Pack contents: 4 pieces, 180 g in total. Before packing, check the preparation instructions, current allergen information and the school’s rules.
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g'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g
The mini version is worth considering if you’re comparing smaller croissants for a school event.
Pack weight: 200 g. Before deciding on a portion size, check the number of croissants and the weight of each one, as well as the preparation instructions and current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether a croissant is suitable under the school’s wheat or gluten allergy requirements?
Read the current allergen information for the exact product before packing or handing it out. The Albert Heijn, PLUS and Délifrance croissants reviewed list wheat or cereals containing gluten; also check the arrangements for the pupil and school concerned.
What allergen information is needed when a school hands out croissants?
Make sure the allergen information for the croissants being handed out is available, and check the school’s policy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling requirements for prepacked foods. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the importance of food safety and allergen information at school.
Which is better for a school morning: a fresh or frozen croissant?
A ready-to-eat croissant is a good fit if you want to pack it without using the oven. A frozen croissant works if you can bake it at home for a planned serving time. PLUS says its luxury variety reviewed here needs 20–25 minutes in the oven and must be stored at -18°C, while the Délifrance croissants reviewed are baked from frozen for 18 minutes according to PLUS. Always follow the instructions on your own pack.
Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone, so check the ingredients list for the croissant you choose. The RIVM says Dutch iodine policy focuses on iodised salt in bread. The PLUS luxury frozen croissant reviewed lists iodised salt, while the Albert Heijn luxury butter croissant reviewed lists ‘salt’.
How can I compare the nutritional value of croissants in different sizes?
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then check the weight of the portion you plan to eat. As a general guide, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 181 kcal, 9.5 g fat and 5 g saturated fat for a 45 g croissant. For a specific variety, use the figures on the current packaging.