Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosts welcoming a new baby

If you want to serve Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles, you first need a base that suits the occasion. Croissants can be a deliberate alternative, but they are not a type of rusk.

Home bakers

If you want to serve croissants, you can choose between a product that’s ready to serve and one that needs defrosting or baking. The time you have, your oven and your storage options will determine which preparation works best.

Shoppers checking allergens or dietary requirements

If you have a specific dietary requirement or need to avoid an allergen, read the information on the exact product packaging. Even a croissant labelled gluten-free may contain other allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to make Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles or deliberately serve croissants. Then compare the varieties within your chosen product category.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
The right base Do you want rusks for Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles, or are you deliberately serving a croissant as an alternative? If I want to serve Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles, I don’t want to accidentally come home with a different bread product. For around 36% of consumers, choosing the right base comes first.
Dietary requirements and allergens Read the allergen declaration and any may-contain warning for the exact variety; check any dietary claims on the packaging. If I have a dietary requirement or need to avoid an allergen, I need to know whether this particular variety is suitable before serving it. For around 29% of consumers, that reassurance is the top priority.
Preparation and storage Check whether the product is ready to eat or needs to be chilled, defrosted or baked. If the croissants need to be ready at a particular time, I want to be able to plan ahead. Around 21% of consumers prioritise ease of serving.
Portions and packaging Compare the number of pieces and the total weight with the number of guests. I want enough pieces for my guests without choosing a pack that doesn’t suit the portions I’m planning. For around 14% of consumers, quantity matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Buying croissants when you meant to buy rusks

    Rusks and croissants are different products, with different textures and ways of serving them. Choosing croissants therefore changes what you offer your guests.

    First decide whether Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles are what you have in mind. If you want to do something different, deliberately choose croissants rather than treating the two products as interchangeable.

  • Assuming a product name tells you everything about its allergens

    The small butter croissant described by PLUS contains wheat, milk and egg, and may contain soya. The Consenza gluten-free croissants listed by PLUS contain egg and soya, and may contain traces of other allergens.

    Read the full allergen information for your chosen variety, including any may-contain warnings. Don’t judge whether it’s suitable based only on words such as ‘butter’ or ‘gluten-free’.

  • Treating a bake-at-home product as a ready-to-eat croissant

    The small butter croissant described by PLUS needs to be defrosted and baked. PLUS states that Danerolles pastry dough must not be eaten raw.

    Before buying, read the preparation and storage instructions for your chosen product to make sure your oven, fridge and preparation time fit your plans.

Brands worth comparing

These supermarket ranges feature different types of croissants. Always compare the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for the exact product.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes petit butter, luxury butter, multiseed and pistachio croissants.

  • There are different flavours and sizes to explore individually.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the product page or packaging for your chosen variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes bake-at-home, frozen, plant-based and filled croissants.

  • The product information for Jumbo Croissants 6 Stuks lists ingredients and allergens.
  • This information doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties in the range.

Lidl

Lidl offers a butter croissant described as an in-store product.

  • The product description says it is made with butter.
  • If you have a dietary requirement or need to avoid an allergen, ask for information about this product. Lidl doesn’t refer to one general online list for nutritional information about food products.

ALDI

ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant, sold individually among its baked products.

  • Buying croissants individually makes it easy to choose the right number for your guests.
  • Don’t rely on the product description instead of checking the ingredients and allergen information for the product on offer.

PLUS

PLUS offers small butter croissants, bake-at-home products, croissant dough and Consenza croissants labelled gluten-free.

  • The product information for these varieties includes details about ingredients, allergens or preparation, which you can compare product by product.
  • Check the packaging when you buy: information and instructions may vary between varieties or change.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results show individual butter croissants and packs containing several pieces.

  • The overview can help you find the pack size you’re looking for.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the individual product before choosing a variety.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use croissants instead of Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles?

Yes, if you deliberately want to serve something different, but a croissant isn’t a rusk. If you specifically want to make Dutch rusks with aniseed sprinkles, buy rusks; the Voedingscentrum treats rusks and croissants as separate products.

How can I check allergens in an unwrapped croissant?

Ask the retailer for the allergen information for the exact croissant before choosing it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must also be given information about allergens in unpackaged foods.

Does a reference to baker’s salt mean every croissant contains iodine?

No, you can’t use that to determine the iodine content of a specific croissant. If iodine matters to your choice, check the product’s ingredients and available nutritional information.

Should I prepare every bake-at-home croissant in the same way?

No, follow the instructions on the exact packaging. The small butter croissant described by PLUS needs to be defrosted and baked, while the product information says Danerolles pastry dough must not be eaten raw.