Making filled snacks
If you want to make filled slices for the parade, look for croissant bread. If you’d prefer one whole croissant per person, consider a larger individual one. Albert Heijn lists both product types.
Which shape works best for you?
Baking at the last minute
If you have an oven or air fryer available shortly before setting off, you could opt for a bake-at-home variety. Remember to allow time for the croissants to cool after baking before you pack them.
Checking product labels
If you need to take allergens into account or want to know what type of salt has been used, check the information for the specific croissant. Don’t assume it has the same ingredients as another variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
Large, whole croissant
Choose this shape: if you want to serve one whole croissant per person.
Bear in mind: a whole croissant won’t give you the even slices you can cut from croissant bread.
Bake-at-home or frozen croissant
Choose this shape: if you want to prepare the croissants shortly before setting off.
Bear in mind: the equipment and preparation time you’ll need, as well as any storage and defrosting instructions.
Croissant bread
Choose this shape: if you want to cut your own slices for filled snacks.
Bear in mind: this is a different product format from individual, easy-to-hold croissants.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and suitability for filling | Check whether you’re buying individual croissants or sliceable croissant bread, and look at the weight and portions. | If I want to add generous fillings to slices, a sliceable product works better for me than a small, whole croissant. Around 42% of consumers prioritise how suitable a product is for filling. |
| Preparation and timing | Read the preparation time and check what equipment and storage conditions your chosen variety requires. | If I want to bake the croissants shortly before setting off, I need to allow for that in my plans. For around 33% of consumers, serving them warm and on time comes first. |
| Portions and labelling | Compare the number of croissants or portions and check the latest ingredient and allergen information. | When I’m taking croissants for a group, I want enough suitable portions and to know what’s in them. Portion size and product information are the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming individual croissants come in ‘thick slices’
A standard croissant is a whole, flaky pastry. It won’t naturally give you even slices for filled snacks.
Choose croissant bread if you want to cut your own slices. If you’d prefer individual croissants, check their size and choose fillings to suit.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
The Voedingscentrum says that bread does not have to be baked with bakers’ salt. So you can’t tell from the product category alone whether a croissant contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients list for the croissant you’ve chosen, or ask the retailer what information is available for that variety.
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Forgetting to allow time for baking and cooling
PLUS gives an oven baking time of 4–6 minutes for its part-baked butter croissants. For its large frozen croissant, PLUS specifies 20–25 minutes under the stated preparation conditions. These differences matter if you need to leave on time.
Read the instructions on the packaging, and allow time for preheating, cooling and transport too. Choose a ready-to-eat variety if preparation won’t fit into your plans.
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Confusing the number of portions with the number of croissants
Individual croissants, multipacks and sliceable croissant bread each divide differently among a group.
Check the weight, number of croissants or portions, and preparation method before deciding how many to take.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both individual croissants and croissant bread. According to Albert Heijn, AH Excellent Butter Croissant Bread weighs 334 g and is divided into six portions; AH Luxe Butter Croissants weigh 90 g each.
- This gives you the choice of cutting your own slices or serving a whole croissant.
- Check the latest packaging for ingredient, allergen and nutritional information.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists standard croissants, among other products, as well as a frozen butter croissant variety.
- The different product types let you choose between serving croissants straight away and preparing them after freezer storage.
- Jumbo says its Jumbo Luxury Frozen Butter Croissants must not be refrozen after defrosting. Follow the other instructions on the packaging too.
PLUS
PLUS lists part-baked butter croissants, a large frozen croissant and croissant dough that lets you choose the size yourself.
- You can match the product type to your preparation time and preferred size.
- According to PLUS, the large frozen croissant needs 20–25 minutes in the oven at 165 °C with steam. Prepare croissant dough according to the packaging instructions and don’t eat it raw.
Dirk
Dirk lists an individual 65 g butter croissant, as well as packaged croissant options.
- Buying individual croissants makes it easy to work out how many whole ones you need.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety before buying.
Lidl
Lidl lists a butter croissant as an in-store product and provides ingredient and allergen information for its oven-fresh bread.
- An individual in-store product suits anyone looking for whole croissants.
- Check in store which ingredient and allergen information applies to this croissant.
ALDI
ALDI lists an individual butter croissant.
- This is an individual croissant, not sliceable croissant bread.
- If necessary, ask for the latest ingredient and allergen information before buying.
Croissants on Joybuy
This individual croissant is an option if you want to take a whole one with you. If you’re looking for slices to fill, check that the product is actually sliceable; its weight alone won’t tell you.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85g
An individual croissant to take with you whole. Decide whether its size works for the filling you have in mind.
The stated weight is 85g. If you have allergies, check the latest packaging before use for cereals containing gluten, egg and milk. If children will be eating the croissant, also look out for the warning about colourings E102 and E110, which may have an adverse effect on their activity and attention.
Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether the salt used is iodised. The weight doesn’t confirm that this croissant can be cut into thick slices.
Frequently asked questions
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
No, you shouldn’t assume that. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the addition of iodine compounds through bakers’ salt, while the Voedingscentrum says that bread does not have to be baked with bakers’ salt. For a specific croissant, check the ingredients list or ask the retailer for product information.
How do I check allergens when buying croissants for a group?
Check the allergen information for each variety you choose. The product examples mentioned include wheat and milk, among other ingredients; the recipe can vary from one croissant to another. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label, and information for unpackaged products must be available before purchase.
How long can I keep opened croissants?
The Voedingscentrum says opened croissants can be kept for two days in a kitchen cupboard and for one to three months in the freezer. Also follow the instructions for the specific product: Jumbo, for example, says its defrosted frozen croissants must not be refrozen.
What should I look for in the salt content of croissants?
Compare the salt content on the same basis, for example per 100 g, then check the weight of one portion. This lets you compare croissants of different sizes without confusing the salt content per 100 g with the amount in a whole croissant.