Choose a fresh croissant if you want to serve it with your Sunday roast without any preparation at home. Go for a bake-off or frozen option if you want to plan when it’s served warm, and choose croissant dough if you want to decide on the shape or filling. Compare the exact product by size, preparation method, ingredients and allergens: the word ‘luxury’ won’t tell you how a croissant fits into your meal plans.
If you’re buying them shortly before the meal and don’t want to set aside oven space for croissants, a fresh croissant from a shop is an obvious choice. Check that your chosen product is available at your local shop.
If you want the croissants to come to the table at the same time as the other dishes, a bake-off or frozen product lets you plan when to prepare them. Be sure to consider storage, oven space and the instructions for the exact product.
If you have a savoury filling in mind, croissant dough gives you the freedom to shape it yourself. If allergens are a concern, check both the dough and the filling. For ready-made croissants, also check the latest product information.
Choose this if: you want to buy a croissant that’s ready to serve shortly before your meal.
Bear in mind: availability of your chosen product in the shop, and less control over when it’s served warm.
Choose this if: you want to prepare the croissants yourself just before serving.
Bear in mind: oven space and product-specific storage and preparation instructions. Frozen and ambient bake-off products aren’t the same.
Choose this if: you want to make your own size or savoury filling.
Bear in mind: you’ll need time to shape and bake it; don’t serve the dough raw.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and portion size | Compare the size and weight of each croissant. Check any stated butter percentage only for the exact product and its preparation method. | For guests, I want to choose a croissant that’s the right size for the meal. For around 37% of consumers, presentation and recipe come first. |
| When you’ll serve them | Read the preparation instructions and, for frozen products, check the storage method and what to do after defrosting. | If I also need the oven for the Sunday roast, I want to know when I can put the croissants in. Around 27% of consumers prioritise serving them warm. |
| Ingredients | Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for both the croissant and any filling. | If a guest needs to avoid allergens, I want to be able to check the chosen product and any additions. Checking ingredients is the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Check how many croissants are in the pack and whether your chosen shop or delivery option fits your plans. | When catering for a group, I want to make sure I can get enough croissants without assuming an unsuitable size. For around 18% of consumers, practicality matters most. |
Albert Heijn lists 25% butter for its Luxe roomboter croissant, weighing 90 g; Jumbo lists 23% for its luxury frozen croissants. These product details aren’t a taste test, and they don’t make the different preparation methods equivalent.
Compare the weight, ingredients and serving method of the products you’re considering for your meal.
A quick bake-off product and dough that you shape yourself need different amounts of planning. Your croissants could be ready before the rest of the meal is served.
Read the instructions on the pack and plan oven space around cooking your Sunday roast.
The name ‘butter croissant’ doesn’t tell you all the ingredients or possible allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly shown in the ingredients list.
Check the latest label. For an unwrapped croissant from a shop, ask what allergen information is available and check any filling separately.
According to the Dutch baking industry, iodised baker’s salt isn’t used in every baked product. The origin and recipe of a croissant therefore matter.
Check the ingredients list for your chosen product if the type of salt is important to your choice.
These examples show different product types and preparation methods. Always check the specifications and availability of the croissant you choose.
A shop bakery option for a croissant that’s ready to serve.
A range of product types, including fresh, plant-based and frozen croissants.
A fresh butter croissant, sold individually in store.
A choice that includes bake-off croissants, croissant dough and individual croissants.
Fresh croissants sold individually, as well as packaged bake-off croissants.
A frozen option for croissants to bake at home.
Chilled dough for anyone who wants to roll their own croissants.
These products include two sizes of butter croissant and a pack of croissants to bake at home. Choose based on the number you need, presentation and the baking instructions on the pack. The stated sizes alone don’t tell you anything about the taste.
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If you’re catering for a group, the four-pack makes it easier to plan how many you’ll need. Check the pack for serving instructions and the latest allergen information.
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The mini size could be a good choice if you want to serve smaller croissants alongside your meal; the stated total weight is 200 g. Check the pack for the number of croissants, serving instructions and the latest allergen information.
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This four-pack is a good fit if you want to bake the croissants yourself shortly before serving. Follow the baking instructions on the pack, and check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for a butter recipe.
A bake-off or frozen option lets you prepare the croissants shortly before serving. Read the instructions for the exact product and set aside oven space alongside your Sunday roast. For example, PLUS gives instructions for one bake-off option of 4 to 6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C, or 4 minutes in an air fryer at 180 °C.
Follow the storage instructions for your chosen product. For Jumbo Diepvries luxe roombotercroissants, Jumbo advises that you don’t refreeze them after defrosting, and that you prepare and eat them within 24 hours of defrosting.
No. The product name doesn’t replace the ingredients and allergen information. Check the latest label on a packaged product, or ask what information is available for an unwrapped croissant. Check any filling separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed in the ingredients of prepacked foods.
No, don’t assume that every croissant does. According to the Dutch baking industry, iodised baker’s salt isn’t used in all baked products. If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
