If you want to keep croissants on hand for several breakfasts or brunches, frozen butter croissants are a good option if you can store them at −18 °C and follow the preparation instructions for each product. If you don’t have freezer space, bake-at-home croissants with a longer shelf life are another option, but Albert Heijn advises that the pre-baked variety reviewed here is not suitable for freezing at home. Fresh croissants sold individually are better suited to buying just before a meal than to stocking up.
If you want to bake a portion for each meal, look for frozen croissants with portion sizes and preparation methods that suit your plans. Jumbo and PLUS offer products of this kind; check the storage temperature and defrosting instructions on each pack.
If you want to keep croissants for a later breakfast without using freezer space, check the use-by date, storage location and preparation method. Don’t assume that a bake-at-home pack can simply go in the freezer: Albert Heijn advises against freezing the pre-baked variety reviewed here at home.
Do you prefer butter to margarine, or need to avoid certain allergens? Read the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack. Recipes can vary between croissant varieties, even within the same supermarket chain.
Choose these: if you want to keep croissants for several meals and have freezer space.
Bear in mind: they need to be stored at −18 °C, and instructions after defrosting vary by product. PLUS says the Délifrance croissants reviewed here can be baked without defrosting.
Choose these: if you want to keep croissants for later baking without using freezer space.
Bear in mind: the use-by date and storage instructions; the AH butter croissants reviewed here are not suitable for freezing at home.
Choose these: if you shop just before a meal and don’t need to stock up.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy them in store; Albert Heijn and ALDI offer the fresh butter croissants reviewed here individually.
Choose this: if you want to shape or fill the croissants yourself.
Bear in mind: it needs to be kept chilled and requires extra preparation. PLUS says the dough reviewed here must be prepared immediately after opening.
First decide whether you want to stock your freezer, cupboard or fridge, or buy croissants just before a meal. Then compare the packaging and ingredients of the variety that suits your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Baking for each occasion | Check how many croissants you need to prepare at once and whether they need defrosting. | If I want to bake a portion for each of several brunches, the pack needs to suit my plans. Around 31% of consumers prioritise baking a portion for each occasion. |
| Butter and size | Read the ingredients and compare the weight per croissant; the percentage of butter alone doesn’t tell you what it will taste like. | For a special meal, I want to know in advance what type and size of croissant I’ll be serving. This product choice is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Shelf life | Check the date, storage location and instructions for after opening or defrosting. | If I buy several packs, I want to be able to use them within the stated storage guidelines. This is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current label for allergens, possible cross-contamination and iodised salt. | If an ingredient affects my choice, I can’t rely on the name of another variety. Around 13% of consumers make checking the label a priority. |
| Where to buy | Check whether your chosen variety is available at your store or through your preferred ordering channel. | If I plan my shopping around a meal, I need to be able to get the chosen pack at the right time. This matters most to around 12% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, the pre-baked AH butter croissants reviewed here are not suitable for freezing at home. Frozen products, on the other hand, have their own storage and defrosting instructions.
First decide where you want to store the croissants, then read the instructions on the exact pack.
The varieties reviewed here differ in their ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination. The product name is no substitute for checking the label.
Before buying, check the current allergen information for the variety you want to use.
Iodised salt appears on the ingredient lists of some products reviewed here, but that doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients of every other croissant.
Read the ingredients list on the exact pack. If you need ingredient information to make your choice, ask for it when buying a loose product.
Albert Heijn offers both pre-baked butter croissants in a pack of four and a fresh luxury butter croissant sold individually.
Jumbo offers, among other options, frozen-fresh and luxury frozen butter croissants.
PLUS offers a Délifrance frozen croissant and croissant dough to shape yourself.
Lidl describes croissants that you can bake at home.
ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
Dirk offers both a own-brand pack of butter croissants and a Délifrance frozen pack.
These Joybuy products include croissants in a range of pack sizes, including varieties with butter in the name and a Schoof variety made with margarine. When choosing croissants to stock up on, don’t just look at the number in the pack: check the ingredients, storage advice, date and any preparation steps on the exact pack too.
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For anyone planning to enjoy individual croissants on different occasions. Before buying, check the ingredients, storage method and date on the pack.
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For anyone looking for mini croissants in a 200 g pack. Before planning them for several meals, check the pack for the number of croissants, storage method and whether they need to be prepared.
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For anyone looking to match a pack of four to the number of people eating. Before choosing this pack to stock up on, check the use-by date, storage method and preparation instructions.
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For anyone wanting to bake a pack of four at home. Joybuy’s product information lists 30% margarine and iodised salt, so don’t choose this variety assuming it contains butter. Check the baking instructions and date on the pack.
Not if the pack says you can’t. For the frozen-fresh and luxury frozen croissants reviewed here, Jumbo says they must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours. Follow the instructions on your pack.
Store the Jumbo and Délifrance frozen products reviewed here at −18 °C, as stated in their product information. Check the exact pack for the use-by date and any instructions for after defrosting.
Always check the current label for the ingredients and allergens that matter to you. The varieties reviewed here contain wheat and milk; some also list egg or carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
According to the Voedingscentrum, a THT date relates to the quality of an unopened pack, while a TGT date relates to safety and must not be exceeded. After opening, also follow any additional storage instructions on the product.
Don’t assume so: Joybuy’s product information for the SCHOOF pack reviewed here lists 30% margarine. If butter is important to your choice, read the ingredients list on the exact pack.
