Travellers setting off straight away
A single, ready-to-eat croissant doesn’t need an oven or air fryer. Check that the size suits your plans, and if you’re buying an unpackaged croissant, ask about allergen information if you need it.
Which option is right for you?
The main difference is what you can do before setting off: take something ready to eat, bake a pack at home, or check the ingredients carefully first.
Travellers who prepare at home
A pack of several bake-at-home croissants could work if you have the time and equipment to prepare them before setting off. Check how to store the baked croissants, too.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
The product name doesn’t tell you which ingredients or possible traces of allergens a particular croissant contains. Read the label on a packaged product, or ask for the information before buying an unpackaged one.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the croissants need to be ready to eat. Then choose a suitable quantity and check the instructions and ingredients for the product you’ll actually be taking with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat | Check that you can take the croissant with you without any further preparation and that its size is suitable for one portion. | I want to eat as soon as I stop, without having to bake anything at home first. For around 36% of consumers, a ready-to-eat portion is the top priority. |
| Quantity | Check the number of croissants and the net weight to make sure the pack suits the number of people travelling. | If several people want a croissant, I want to take enough without unnecessary leftovers. Quantity is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Read what equipment, preparation and storage are required; for frozen products, follow the defrosting instructions too. | I can bake at home, but I need to know whether it fits into my plans before setting off. Preparation is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label or ask for allergen information if buying an unpackaged croissant; check the ingredients of the specific product. | I need to know what’s in my croissant and which allergens are listed before I buy it. This check is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a pack without checking the quantity
The number of croissants and net weight vary by product. A pack is only right for your road trip if you can use everything in it.
Work out how many croissants you want to take, then compare packs by number of croissants and weight.
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Treating bake-at-home croissants as ready-to-eat snacks
Bake-at-home croissants need to be prepared before you set off. For example, PLUS says its butter croissants need 4–6 minutes in an oven at 200°C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180°C; these instructions won’t necessarily apply to other products.
Check the instructions on your pack and choose a ready-to-eat croissant if baking at home doesn’t fit into your plans.
If you’re baking them yourself, remember to allow time for the croissants to cool before packing them.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the product name
Ingredients and any warnings about traces vary from one croissant to another. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products is listed on the label; for unpackaged products, the information must be available in another way.
Read the current label or ask about the allergen information for an individual croissant before buying it.
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Assuming every croissant contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the ingredients in one croissant don’t tell you what’s in another.
If you want to know which salt a particular product contains, check the ingredients list or ask when buying it unpackaged.
Brands to consider
These retailers offer different types of croissants. Check whether each product is sold individually, needs baking or comes from the freezer; this will determine how you can use it before setting off.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes fresh, bake-at-home and frozen options, from its own brand to other brands.
- You can compare different types of product side by side.
- Some fresh options are only available in store, so check which one suits your planned stop.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers bake-at-home croissants, plant-based options and frozen varieties, among other products.
- You can compare the number of croissants and the weight of each pack.
- A bake-at-home option needs to be prepared at home, so it won’t replace a ready-to-eat snack if you’re setting off without any preparation.
Lidl
Lidl lists a butter croissant that’s only available in store.
- The product page provides information about ingredients and allergens.
- If you’re buying an individual croissant in store, ask for the information you need to make your choice.
ALDI
ALDI offers an individual butter croissant from its fresh bakery range.
- An individual croissant is handy if you’re setting off without baking at home.
- Check the portion size in store and ask about ingredients and allergens if needed.
PLUS
PLUS offers both individual bakery croissants and packs of butter croissants to bake at home.
- The bake-at-home option comes with preparation and storage instructions that can help you plan before setting off.
- Follow the instructions on the pack you choose: those for a bake-at-home pack won’t necessarily apply to an individual or frozen option.
Dirk
Dirk offers an individual 65 g butter croissant, as well as bake-at-home options.
- The weight of the individual croissant is listed, making it easier to judge the portion size.
- Check which type of product you’re choosing: a bake-at-home option needs different preparation from an individual croissant bought in store.
Croissants at Joybuy
This selection includes a croissant that’s ready to eat on the go and a pack of four croissants to bake at home. Choose according to your plans before setting off, and check the information on the pack before buying.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
According to the product information, this individually wrapped croissant is ready to eat, so you can take it with you without baking anything at home. The listed weight is 85 g.
The product information lists wheat, egg and milk, and includes a warning about E102 and E110 and their possible effect on children’s activity and attention. Check the current packaging if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pack
This pack of four croissants is a good option if you want to bake them at home before setting off. They aren’t intended to be taken with you without baking first; follow the instructions on the pack for the baking time and temperature.
The product information lists wheat and possible traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose individual croissants instead of bake-at-home ones?
Choose an individual, ready-to-eat croissant if you’re setting off without any preparation; bake-at-home croissants are a good option if you can bake them at home. For a pack, check the number of croissants and the weight too, so you take an amount that suits your travelling party.
Can I bake croissants just before setting off?
Yes, if you have the time and equipment at home and follow the instructions for the product you’ve chosen. PLUS says its butter croissants need 4–6 minutes in an oven at 200°C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180°C; other products may have different instructions.
Is allergen information available for individual croissants?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label, while information about unpackaged products must be given to consumers in another way. Ask for it before buying an individual croissant.
Does every Dutch croissant contain baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the product category. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check the ingredients for the specific croissant or ask when buying it unpackaged.
Can I refreeze defrosted croissants?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the specific product. PLUS explicitly says that its small frozen butter croissants must not be refrozen once defrosted.