Who is this choice for?

Parents considering a treat for a special occasion

For a brunch or special meal, you’ll want to know whether a croissant is suitable for what your child can already eat. Texture, salt and supervision matter more than a premium label.

Parents of a child just starting on finger foods

Your child is still learning to manage more textured foods. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says children should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before you offer larger pieces.

Families dealing with allergies or childcare restrictions

If your child has a known allergy or dietary restriction, check the packaging of the exact variety. Food you send to nursery or school must also comply with the rules in place there.

What should you look for when buying?

First, consider whether your child is ready to manage pieces of food. Only then compare the texture, nutritional information and allergens of a possible croissant. For an everyday bread meal, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown bread or wheat bread without seeds as a first choice from 6 months.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Managing pieces of food At most, choose an unfilled croissant that you can tear into a small, soft piece. The texture doesn’t replace supervision. If my child is still learning to chew, I first want to know whether they can sit upright and swallow and chew well. Safe serving is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Salt and nutritional value Read the nutritional information for the exact variety, paying particular attention to the salt content per 100 g. PLUS lists 0.95 g of salt per 100 g for its butter croissants. For a special meal, I don’t want a croissant to become the usual bread option by default. Nutritional value is the most important factor for around 33% of consumers.
Allergens and availability Check the current ingredients and allergen list on the exact pack, and find out whether the variety you want is available where you shop. If I have an allergy or dietary restriction, I need to know which ingredients are in this particular croissant. For around 25% of consumers, checking this is the top priority when buying.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming ‘premium’ means more suitable for babies

    A luxury or butter label says nothing about whether a croissant is suitable as an everyday snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies salty foods; PLUS lists 0.95 g of salt per 100 g for its butter croissants.

    Before considering a croissant, assess your child’s readiness, the ingredients and the nutritional information rather than relying on the product name.

  • Assuming a crisp crust is safer

    Whether a piece is suitable depends on its texture when it’s eaten and what your child can already manage. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says children should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before you offer larger pieces.

    Let a baked croissant cool, check how soft it is, and stay with your child throughout the meal.

  • Trying to identify allergens from the product name

    PLUS’s product information lists cereals containing gluten, egg and milk for its large luxury butter croissant, and says the product may contain nuts. ‘Butter’ or ‘luxury’ doesn’t tell you everything about its ingredients.

    Check the label on the exact variety every time you buy it, especially if your child has a known allergy, coeliac disease or another dietary restriction.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells, among other options, fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants.

  • The range of product types gives you the opportunity to compare different varieties.
  • The product type doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for your child; check the packaging of the croissant you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes frozen butter croissants.

  • You can include a frozen variety in your comparison of different product types.
  • For a baby, check the ingredients, nutritional information and texture of the exact variety.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for its butter croissants and large luxury butter croissant.

  • The butter croissants are listed as containing 0.95 g of salt per 100 g, so you can assess the salt content of this variety.
  • According to PLUS, the large luxury butter croissant contains cereals containing gluten, egg and milk, and may contain nuts. Always check the current label.

Dirk

Dirk lists a 65 g butter croissant sold individually.

  • Buying them individually may suit an occasional family meal.
  • The weight and how it’s sold don’t tell you which ingredients or allergens the croissant contains.

Lidl

Lidl lists mini butter croissants as an in-store product.

  • The mini size is another portion option to compare for a family meal.
  • A smaller size doesn’t automatically make a croissant suitable for a child just starting on finger foods.

ALDI

ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually.

  • Buying them individually can be handy if you want to buy one croissant for an occasion.
  • Before considering offering a piece to your child, check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a baby eat a croissant as part of baby-led weaning?

A croissant isn’t a standard choice for baby-led weaning. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies salty foods. You could consider offering a small, soft piece of plain croissant occasionally at most, provided your child can sit upright, swallow and chew well, is already managing pieces of food, and is supervised throughout.

What bread can you choose for a child just starting on finger foods?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown bread or wheat bread without seeds as a good first bread from 6 months. Choose a piece that’s soft and sized to suit what your child can already manage, and stay with them while they eat.

Should you check a butter croissant for gluten, milk and egg?

Yes, especially if your child has a known allergy, coeliac disease or a dietary restriction. According to PLUS’s product information, its large luxury butter croissant contains cereals containing gluten, egg and milk, and may contain nuts. Check the current label for every other variety.

Does iodised salt make a croissant more suitable for a baby?

No. Iodised salt doesn’t make a croissant a recommended food for babies. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies salty foods, so check the salt content of the exact croissant rather than just the type of salt it contains.