If the split pea soup is going straight on the table, choose a fresh croissant that’s ready to eat. If you have a few minutes to prepare it, consider pre-baked croissants that just need finishing in the oven. Chilled dough needs shaping, while frozen croissants require a different plan. Check the number of croissants, preparation instructions and allergens for each product: an individual croissant isn’t necessarily ready to serve.
If the split pea soup is nearly ready, it matters whether a croissant can be eaten straight away or needs defrosting or baking first. ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually; the individual small croissant from PLUS, on the other hand, comes with defrosting and baking instructions.
Chilled croissant dough lets you choose the size and filling, but you’ll also need to set aside time to shape and bake it. Pre-baked and frozen options need less shaping; follow the instructions for whichever product you choose.
If you have an allergy or follow a specific diet, the croissant’s name alone won’t tell you everything. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on the label. Also check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging you buy.
First, decide when you want the croissants on the table with your split pea soup. Then compare the preparation needed, the number of croissants and the ingredients of products that suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving straight away | Check whether the croissant is ready to eat or needs defrosting and baking first. | If the soup is already ready, I want to be able to serve the croissant without any extra preparation. For around 33% of consumers, serving straight away comes first. |
| Quick bake | Compare the time and temperature for the appliance you use. PLUS says its pre-baked butter croissants need 4–6 minutes at 200 °C in the oven or 4 minutes at 180 °C in a preheated air fryer. | I can fit in a short pause before eating to bake the croissants, but not an elaborate dough-shaping session. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this quick preparation option. |
| Stocking up or shaping your own | Check the number of croissants, storage instructions and whether shaping or defrosting is needed. Chilled dough and frozen croissants have different instructions. | I want to be able to plan ahead or choose the size myself, even if that means a longer preparation time. For around 25% of consumers, stocking up or having the freedom to shape their own matters most. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. Compare nutritional values for the same amount, such as per 100 g or per serving. | When choosing a croissant to serve with soup, I need to know what it contains and how large a portion is. Around 17% of consumers put these checks first. |
According to Jumbo, its Jumbo Croissant Plantaardig contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. So the plant-based label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.
Before buying, check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current label, including any warnings about possible traces.
PLUS gives a short baking time for one pre-baked option, while its croissant dough needs to be shaped first. Délifrance’s frozen croissants have their own oven instructions.
Choose a preparation method that fits your plans and follow the time and temperature on that product’s packaging.
Voedingscentrum classifies croissants as small bread rolls. When choosing a croissant to serve with split pea soup, a label describing slice thickness won’t help you decide between serving it straight away, baking it or shaping it yourself.
Instead, compare the number of croissants, weight, preparation method and nutritional information for the specific product.
The instructions for the Délifrance butter croissants reviewed here say that defrosted products must not be refrozen.
Take the amount you want to prepare out of the freezer and follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
An option if you want to shape chilled croissant dough yourself.
Offers both croissants and a plant-based option, so you can compare their ingredients.
Offers different preparation options, including pre-baked croissants, chilled dough and frozen croissants.
Worth considering if you want to pick up a single fresh butter croissant in store.
A place to compare individual croissants with packs containing several.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a savoury cheese croissant to serve with your soup.
These Joybuy products offer a choice between an individual croissant to serve straight away and packs for anyone who wants to prepare croissants to go with split pea soup. Check the preparation instructions on the packs before planning when to serve them.
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An option if you want to serve a croissant straight away with your split pea soup. Bear in mind the cheese flavour, and if you have an allergy, check the current label for ingredients including wheat, egg and milk.
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A pack for sharing if you have time to bake the croissants. Before planning your meal, check the temperature and baking time on the packaging. If you have an allergy, also look for wheat and possible traces of other allergens.
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A pack of four butter croissants for serving with soup when you need several portions. Check the oven instructions on the packaging before deciding when to serve them, and check the allergen information if it’s relevant to your choice.
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A mini option to consider if you’d like smaller croissants with your soup. Check the number of croissants and the oven instructions on the packaging so you can plan how many you need and how to prepare them.
No. Choose a croissant based on how it’s prepared and how many you need, rather than its slice thickness. Voedingscentrum classifies croissants as small bread rolls; also check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you want to buy.
According to PLUS, its pre-baked butter croissants need 4–6 minutes at 200 °C in the oven or 4 minutes at 180 °C in a preheated air fryer. Don’t use these timings for other dough or pre-baked croissants: follow the instructions on their packaging instead.
Not necessarily: according to Jumbo, its Jumbo Croissant Plantaardig contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging rather than relying on the plant-based label alone.
First, follow the storage instructions for the specific product. Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping an opened croissant for two days in a kitchen cupboard or for one to three months in the freezer. For the Délifrance frozen croissants reviewed, the product instructions also say not to refreeze them after defrosting.
Don’t assume so: check the ingredients list for the croissant you’re buying. Voedingscentrum describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine, but that doesn’t tell you which salt is used in every croissant or how much iodine a particular croissant contains.
