Who is this choice relevant to?

Croissant shoppers who are mindful of fibre

You want to look for wholemeal options and fibre on your first grocery shop, but only choose a croissant as wholemeal when the product description supports that claim.

Households checking allergen information

You want to read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific croissant before buying it, including any warnings about possible traces.

Breakfast shoppers who like to plan ahead

You want to know whether you can eat the croissants straight away or need to bake them first, and what storage and preparation instructions apply.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a wholegrain product or a croissant in particular. Then compare the nutritional information and check what you need to know to use the product at home.

Product explicitly labelled wholemeal

Choose this when: you value a confirmed wholegrain product more than having a croissant.

The trade-off: a wholemeal roll or another wholemeal bread product won’t replace the croissant you may have had in mind.

Seeded croissant

Choose this when: you want a croissant and would like to compare the seeds and fibre in specific products.

The trade-off: a name mentioning mixed seeds doesn’t confirm that the flour base is wholemeal.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre content per 100 g. Also check which type of flour is listed in the ingredients. If choosing wholemeal is my priority, I don’t want to judge it by a brown colour or added seeds. For around 40% of consumers, confirmed wholemeal content is the most important factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information and check the packaging for any ‘may contain’ warnings. If I need to consider allergens in my household, I want to know the ingredients before picking up a croissant. For around 30% of consumers, this check comes first.
Preparation and storage Check whether the croissants need baking, and follow the storage and preparation instructions for that product. If I’m short on time at breakfast, it matters whether I can eat the croissant straight away or need to bake it first. Convenience is the priority for around 20% of consumers.
Pack size Check the number of items and how much you need; compare nutritional values on the same basis, per 100 g. If I’m shopping for a small household, I want to buy a suitable quantity without having too much left over. For around 10% of consumers, planning the right amount is the main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a name mentioning mixed seeds means wholemeal

    Seeds, bran and a darker colour don’t, by themselves, tell you whether the flour base is wholemeal.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal product description, then read the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Judging allergen information by the product name

    A name such as butter, mixed seeds or plant-based doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about a croissant’s allergens.

    Check the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    A PLUS butter croissant lists iodised salt, but you can’t assume the same applies to other croissants.

    If this ingredient matters to you, read the ingredients list for the product you’re buying.

  • Waiting until you get home to check the baking instructions

    Bake-at-home croissants may need defrosting and time in the oven. According to PLUS, the small PLUS butter croissant included in this review needs around 14 minutes in the oven after defrosting.

    Choose a product that suits the time and equipment you have, and follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Use specific product information to compare croissants; features of one product don’t necessarily apply to a brand’s entire range.

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to compare a seeded croissant with a standard packaged croissant.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the AH Mixed Seeds Croissant contains ingredients including linseed, sunflower seeds and wheat bran. The stated fibre content is 3.6 g per 100 g for this product and 2.6 g per 100 g for the AH Croissants included in this review.
  • This is a comparison between two specific products. The name mentioning mixed seeds doesn’t confirm a wholemeal flour base.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you’re browsing croissants and separate wholemeal bread products online.

  • Jumbo’s croissant category includes options such as butter and plant-based varieties.
  • Check the description of the specific croissant; the fact that wholemeal bread products are in the range doesn’t make a croissant wholemeal.

PLUS

Worth considering if you’re comparing the preparation and ingredients of butter and bake-at-home croissants.

  • For the small butter croissant included in this review, PLUS says to defrost it and then bake it for around 14 minutes.
  • The PLUS products included in this review have their own ingredients and instructions. Check the allergens, salt information and preparation details on each pack.

Dirk

Worth considering if you’re weighing up croissants and wholemeal rolls in the same bakery category.

  • Dirk lists butter croissants as well as separate wholemeal rolls.
  • The wholemeal description on a roll tells you nothing about the flour base of a croissant; check each product’s information separately.

Lidl

Worth considering if you want to check the ingredients and allergens in freshly baked bakery products.

  • Lidl publishes ingredients and allergen information for its freshly baked bakery range.
  • Use the latest information for the croissant and store you’ve chosen when checking ingredients and allergens.

ALDI

Worth considering if a wholemeal bread product could also work for breakfast.

  • According to ALDI, its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour; the range includes wholemeal bread and wholemeal rolls.
  • This information about bread doesn’t confirm that a croissant is wholemeal. Check the croissant’s description separately.

Bake-at-home croissants at Joybuy

This product selection is worth considering if you want to bake croissants at home. If wholemeal is your priority, check the current product description before choosing.

SCHOOF Croissants, pack of 4

SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces

For anyone who wants to bake croissants at home and check the label for wholemeal information.

Before use, check the allergen information and preparation instructions on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Questions about croissants and wholemeal

Is a seeded croissant automatically wholemeal?

No, a name mentioning seeds doesn’t confirm a wholemeal flour base. Look for an explicit product description and check the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that, for products other than bread, the wholemeal label requires a flour base made entirely from wholemeal flour.

How do I compare the fibre in two croissants?

Compare the stated fibre per 100 g so different portion sizes don’t affect the comparison. Albert Heijn lists 3.6 g per 100 g for the AH Mixed Seeds Croissant and 2.6 g per 100 g for the AH Croissants included in this review; that difference applies to these two products.

Can I rely on the croissant’s name for allergen information?

No, always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The croissants included in this review have different ingredients, and a product name doesn’t give you all the information you need.

Does every croissant contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that based on the type of product. Some product information, including that for a PLUS butter croissant included in this review, lists iodised salt; check the ingredients list for the croissant you choose.