For a family dinner, start by considering any food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Then choose a croissant to suit the preferred flavour and the time you have to prepare it. A classic or savoury option has a different role at the table from a plant-based or gluten-free one, while the name ‘multiseed’ alone tells you nothing about whether it contains wholemeal flour or how much fibre it provides.
If not everyone can or wants to eat the same things, classic, plant-based, gluten-free and savoury croissants are different options to consider. Check the allergens and preparation method for each product: a label for one dietary requirement says nothing about the others.
If you’re mainly after a classic flavour, plain croissants and butter croissants are a good starting point. Check the packaging and baking instructions too, so you can prepare them in time for dinner.
A multiseed option may be worth considering if you want to compare nutritional information without assuming that a croissant is wholemeal. Albert Heijn lists 3.6 g of fibre per 100 g for its Meerzaden croissant; wheat flour is the first ingredient on the list.
First, decide which dietary restriction at the table is non-negotiable. Then compare the preparation method, nutritional information and the croissant’s role in the meal, always using the details for the specific product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and timing | Check the number of croissants and whether they need defrosting or baking. Albert Heijn recommends baking its Verse original croissants for 12–15 minutes at 200 °C. | If everyone expects a familiar croissant, I want to know I can serve it warm without rushing. For around 40% of consumers, flavour and timing are the top priorities. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about traces. Ask for allergen information when buying unwrapped croissants. | If someone at the table needs to avoid an ingredient, I first want to know which croissant is suitable for them. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which type of flour is listed in the ingredients; don’t assume a product is wholemeal just because the packaging mentions seeds. | I like to find a croissant whose fibre content I can compare, without assuming that multiseed means wholemeal. Around 20% of consumers focus on this comparison. |
| A savoury option for dinner | Check the filling, allergens and salt per 100 g if the croissant is going to be a savoury part of the meal. | If the croissant needs to be more than a side, I look for a savoury option that goes with the rest of dinner. This is the main priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Seeds and kernels don’t tell you what type of flour a croissant is made from. Wheat flour is the first ingredient listed for the AH Meerzaden croissant.
Check the packaging for any wholemeal claim and compare fibre per 100 g if that matters to your choice.
According to Jumbo’s product information, its Croissant Plantaardig contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. The Consenza Glutenvrije Croissants sold by Jumbo contain egg, milk and soya.
Start with the ingredients someone needs to avoid, then read the full allergen information for each option, including warnings about possible traces.
Allergen information may not be displayed on an individual wrapper for a croissant from a shop counter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that shops must provide consumers with information about allergens in unwrapped foods in another way.
If an allergen is a concern, ask for information about the specific croissant before buying.
Some croissants list iodised salt, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. So don’t make assumptions about a croissant based on the product category alone.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
A retailer to consider if you want to compare bake-at-home croissants with a multiseed option.
Worth considering if you want to compare a plant-based croissant with a separate gluten-free option.
An option for comparing a small butter croissant with a savoury cheese croissant.
A retailer to consider if you’re looking for an individual butter croissant or croissant dough.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a cheese croissant from the in-store range.
A retailer to consider if you want to compare a butter croissant with a ham and cheese option.
These croissants come in different sizes for a family dinner, from mini butter croissants to packs of four. Don’t take the product name as proof that an option is wholemeal, plant-based or gluten-free; check the packaging for the specific product you choose.
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A pack of four croissants may suit you if you want to decide on the number you’ll need for dinner in advance. Check the packaging for allergens and any baking instructions before planning how to prepare them.
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This 85 g option is worth considering if you’re choosing individual croissants for dinner. Check the ingredients and allergens before deciding who it’s suitable for.
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The mini option may suit you if you want to serve smaller croissants alongside other dishes; the pack weighs 200 g. Read the allergen information and check the preparation method before planning dinner.
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This pack of four butter croissants weighs 180 g in total, making it easier to match the number of croissants to your guests. Check the packaging for allergens and any preparation instructions.
No, you can’t tell from the name alone. Albert Heijn lists 3.6 g of fibre per 100 g for its Meerzaden croissant, but wheat flour is the first ingredient. Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if fibre content matters to your choice.
Ask the shop for allergen information about the specific unwrapped croissant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens in unwrapped foods must be provided to consumers in a way other than on an individual label; for a pre-packed product, it will be on the label.
No, plant-based and gluten-free don’t mean the same thing. According to Jumbo, its Croissant Plantaardig contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. If you need a gluten-free option, look for a product explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check for other allergens too.
Use the instructions on the packaging to work backwards from when you want to serve them. Albert Heijn recommends baking its Verse original croissants for 12–15 minutes at 200 °C; another croissant may need time to defrost or a different oven temperature.
No, don’t assume they do. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list for the specific croissant if you want to know which type of salt it contains.
