Small households looking to avoid leftovers
For one or a few snack occasions, compare the number of croissants you need with the options available individually or in small packs. A larger pack is only practical if you know when you’ll use the rest.
Which option is right for you?
Families planning a snack together
A pack of four or more could work if several people will be eating at the same time, or if you’ve already planned when you’ll have the rest. Check the use-by date before splitting the portions across several days.
Home bakers who want to bake together
Fresh croissant dough is a good fit if rolling, shaping and baking are part of your half-term activity. Before you buy, check how much dough you’ll need to use after opening and follow the instructions on the pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the number of croissants you actually want to serve. Then decide whether you want to eat them straight away, bake them or get hands-on with some dough together.
Individual croissant
Best for: one planned snack occasion, without any remaining croissants from an opened pack.
Bear in mind: an individual croissant may still need to be defrosted or baked; follow the instructions for the product you choose.
Pack of four bake-at-home croissants
Best for: four planned portions, served together or spread across occasions that fall within the use-by date.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a plan for all four croissants, as well as time to bake them.
Fresh croissant dough
Best for: a half-term activity where you shape and bake the croissants together.
Bear in mind: PLUS says that the contents of Danerolles chocolate croissants must all be used after opening.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and leftovers | Compare the number of croissants with the people eating and the snack occasions you have planned. Check the use-by date and storage instructions too. | If I’m serving croissants just once, I don’t want to have to store any leftovers. For around 50% of consumers with this purchasing question, finding a suitable portion size comes first. |
| Preparation | Check whether the croissants need defrosting, baking or shaping, and follow the time and temperature on the pack. | If I need to serve a snack quickly, I want to know in advance how much preparation is involved. Around 30% of consumers prioritise ease of preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen; don’t assume what it contains based on the product name alone. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, the specific croissant must suit my needs. For around 20% of consumers, checking this is the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a larger pack without planning the portions
A pack with more croissants won’t necessarily suit a small household. Any that aren’t used before the use-by date could be left over.
First, count how many people will be eating and how many snack occasions you have planned. Choose an individual croissant or a pack of four if that better fits your plans.
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Assuming all croissants are the same
Butter, margarine and dough-based varieties have different ingredients. Allergen information can also vary between products.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the pack you’ve chosen, even if you’re already familiar with a similar croissant.
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Assuming opened dough can be used later
PLUS says that the contents of Danerolles chocolate croissants must all be used after opening. They must not be eaten raw or frozen.
Choose this dough if you can prepare all of it according to the instructions on the pack. Check the instructions for any other dough you buy.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
A mention of iodised salt in one bakery product tells you nothing about the ingredients of another croissant.
If you want to know what salt a particular variety contains, check the current ingredients list.
Brands compared
These brands offer examples of different pack sizes and formats. Always compare the specific product you’re thinking of buying, rather than just the brand name.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes packs of four, mini croissants and larger packs.
- You can compare pack sizes with the number of portions you’ve planned.
- Check the current product information and availability for the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, packs of four butter croissants and packs of six croissants.
- The different pack sizes make it easy to compare them with your snack plans.
- A pack of six only makes sense if you’ve planned when you’ll eat the extra croissants too.
PLUS
PLUS offers a small butter croissant sold individually, packs of four and fresh croissant dough.
- An individual croissant and a pack of four suit different numbers of planned portions.
- Preparation, ingredients and instructions after opening vary by product; check the pack.
Dirk
Dirk offers, among other options, butter and margarine croissants, both in packs of four.
- For both varieties, you can compare the same pack size with the portions you have planned.
- The terms ‘butter’ and ‘margarine’ are no substitute for checking the full ingredients list.
Croissants for planned snack portions
These Joybuy products include an 85 g croissant, packs of four croissants and mini croissants. Choose based on the number of portions you need, and check the product packaging before use.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
An individual croissant could be just right for one planned snack occasion. This variety weighs 85 g.
The product information warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack too.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
Four croissants could work if you’re planning several portions before the use-by date. The pack contains 180 g in total.
Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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SCHOOF croissants, 4 pieces
This pack of four suits several planned snack portions, but not if you only need one croissant.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
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G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g
The mini size could be a good choice if you want to serve smaller croissants. The pack weighs 200 g; check how many pieces it contains when planning your portions.
Check the pack to see whether preparation is needed, and check the ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Which croissants should I choose if I want to avoid leftovers?
An individual croissant is the closest match for one planned portion; a pack of four could work if you’ll use them all before the use-by date. Compare the number of croissants with your planned snack occasions before choosing a larger pack.
Can I keep opened croissant dough for later?
It depends on the instructions for the specific dough. For Danerolles chocolate croissants, PLUS says to use all the contents after opening, not to freeze them and to store them at a maximum of 7 °C. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other products.
What should I check if ingredients or allergens are important?
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the croissant you’re buying. For example, PLUS’s small butter croissant lists wheat, egg and milk. Don’t assume another product has the same ingredients based on its variety name alone.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you shouldn’t assume that every croissant does. PLUS lists iodised salt in certain croissants; check the ingredients list on the specific pack if this matters to you.