If you want to serve croissants at a snack night without using the oven, choose ones that are ready to eat. Bake-at-home and frozen croissants are better if you can plan the preparation and want to serve them warm. Then compare the number of croissants, the preparation instructions and the ingredients on the packaging. ‘Medium sliced’ doesn’t indicate a clear choice of croissant.
If you don’t want to use the oven, look for croissants that are ready to eat and work out in advance how many individual ones you need. For products sold in stores, check whether they’re available at your local branch.
If you want to prepare croissants just before serving, choose a bake-at-home product that suits your oven or air fryer. Allow enough time and space, and follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Compare the number of croissants in each pack with the portions you’re planning. Check the flavour variety too, and read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information before serving them to others.
First decide whether you want to serve the croissants straight away or bake them yourself. Then choose a suitable quantity and check that the flavour and ingredients work for everyone who’ll be eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Serving straight away | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need to be prepared first. | If I want to offer my guests something straight away, I don’t want to switch the oven on first. For around 39% of consumers, being able to serve straight away is the priority. |
| Baking them warm | Check whether the product needs to be cooked in an oven or air fryer, and follow the instructions on the packaging. | If you want to serve warm croissants, freshly baked just before serving, you’ll need the time and equipment to prepare them. This is the priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Number of portions | Compare the number of croissants and the total weight with the number of people you’re serving. | When I’m buying for a group, I want to have enough croissants without relying on the pack name alone. For around 23% of consumers, getting the right number of portions is the main concern. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Check the flavour variety and read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information. | If not everyone can or wants to eat the same ingredients, I need to know what I’m serving. Around 15% of consumers put these checks first. |
The term doesn’t tell you whether a croissant is ready to eat, needs baking or is frozen. It doesn’t clarify the quantity you want or whether it has a filling, either.
Compare croissants by product type, number of pieces and flavour rather than using this term.
Preparation requirements can vary between croissant products and appliances. Instructions for one pack therefore won’t necessarily apply to another.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
Butter, plant-based and filled varieties may contain different ingredients. The use of iodised salt can also vary from one product to another.
Read the current label, especially if ingredients, allergens or dietary requirements affect your choice.
A croissant shown online may not be available at every branch. For example, ALDI links its freshly baked range to stores with a bakery, while Lidl describes its cheese croissant as an in-store product.
Check your chosen branch before planning your snack night around a specific variety.
Albert Heijn lists both its own-brand croissant dough and Danerolles croissant dough.
Jumbo lists butter, plant-based, filled and frozen croissants, among other varieties.
ALDI lists individual freshly baked croissants and savoury varieties in its bakery range.
PLUS describes butter bake-at-home croissants and provides product information about ingredients and preparation.
Dirk lists both own-brand bake-at-home croissants and branded products in its croissant category.
Lidl lists a cheese croissant as a savoury option available in store.
These croissants give you the choice of an individual snack or a pack of four. For each product, check whether you can serve it straight away or need to bake it first. This can make a difference to how you prepare for a snack night.
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A pack for anyone planning to serve four croissants and with time to bake them at home.
Check the baking time and temperature on the packaging. If you have allergies, read the current label too.
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An option for an individual snack that you want to serve without preparing it at home.
The product name states 85 g. Before buying, check the flavour and the current ingredients on the packaging.
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The pack of four could be a good option if you’re planning portions for several people.
The stated total weight is 180 g. Before buying, check whether these croissants are ready to serve or need baking, and read the current label if you have allergies.
Choose ready-to-eat croissants if you want to serve them without preparing them at home. Bake-at-home croissants are a good choice if you have the time and equipment to prepare them just before serving. For frozen croissants, also check the storage and any defrosting instructions for the product you choose.
No. Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy. PLUS gives its own oven and air fryer instructions for its butter bake-at-home croissants; you can’t automatically apply these to another variety.
Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging before serving. The ingredients can vary between croissants and flavours, so don’t rely on the product category name alone.
No, don’t assume they do. The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; PLUS lists iodised salt in one of its butter bake-at-home croissants. Check the label of the croissants you choose.
Not necessarily: availability can vary from store to store. Check with your chosen branch if you need a specific variety, especially if it’s listed as available in store only.
