Choose fresh shop-bought croissants if you want to serve them straight away, ready-to-bake croissants if you want to bake them just before brunch, and frozen croissants if you want to shop ahead and have freezer space. If you’d also like to cater for guests who prefer wholemeal or brown bread, serve it separately alongside the croissants: a croissant is not automatically a wholemeal alternative. Check the ingredients, allergens, preparation and storage instructions on each pack.
If you want to serve several croissants warm, the type of product will determine how many batches you need to plan for. Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Jumbo shows a range of preparation and storage methods.
If any of your guests need to consider milk, eggs, wheat or gluten, or prefer plant-based food, the ingredients in the specific product matter. Even with a plant-based croissant, check the current ingredients and allergen warnings.
You can serve croissants for those who enjoy them, with wholemeal or brown bread alongside for guests who prefer it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the nutritional value of wholemeal, brown and white bread; don’t assume the same applies to a croissant without checking the label.
First, decide whether you want to serve them straight away, bake them or store them in the freezer. Then check that your chosen croissants suit your guests and the rest of the brunch spread.
Choose these if: you want to serve them on the morning itself without having to bake a batch.
Bear in mind: what’s available will depend on the shop’s stock at the time you buy them.
Choose these if: you want to bake them just before serving and have the time and oven space to do so.
Bear in mind: baking times vary by product, and storage instructions aren’t the same for every variety.
Choose these if: you want to shop before Easter and have freezer space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to plan how to prepare them; Délifrance says its thawed croissants must not be refrozen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| When you’ll serve them | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need baking. For ready-to-bake products, check the time and temperature. | I want to put warm croissants on the table at the same time as the rest of the brunch, without guests having to wait for another batch. That’s why serving time comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements; don’t rely on a plant-based label alone. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know before serving whether this particular variety is suitable. Ingredient suitability is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Stock and quantity | Compare the number of croissants with your guest list and choose a storage method you have room for at home. | I’d rather shop ahead, but I don’t want to end up with more thawed croissants than I can prepare. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this kind of stock planning. |
| Choice on the table | Check the product description and nutritional information; buy wholemeal or brown bread separately if guests ask for it. | I want to offer croissants without suggesting they count as the wholemeal option on the table. This combination matters most to around 19% of consumers. |
Ingredients vary by product. Information from retailers including Albert Heijn, PLUS and Jumbo lists wheat and gluten and, depending on the product, milk, eggs or possible traces of other allergens.
Check the current packaging of the croissants you’re serving, including information about possible traces.
Preparation times vary: Albert Heijn gives a baking time of 12–15 minutes at 200 °C for its fresh croissant dough, while PLUS gives 4–6 minutes at 200 °C for its butter croissants.
Follow the instructions on your pack and make sure the number of croissants fits the space available in your oven or air fryer. Choose croissants that are ready to eat if you don’t want to bake them.
A celebratory croissant is not automatically an alternative to wholemeal bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the nutritional value of wholemeal and brown bread and that of white bread.
Serve a clearly labelled wholemeal or brown bread option alongside the croissants if that matters to your guests.
Albert Heijn offers croissant dough to shape and bake at home, alongside other croissant varieties.
Jumbo offers croissants with different storage requirements, as well as a separate plant-based variety.
Lidl describes a butter croissant available in store.
ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
PLUS offers ready-to-bake croissants, as well as separate mini and frozen varieties.
Dirk offers ready-to-bake croissants from 1 de Beste and Danerolles varieties.
These croissants give you the choice of serving them straight away or baking them yourself for brunch. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on each pack before finalising your serving plans.
No image available
A good choice if you want to serve croissants without planning a baking session; according to the product description, they’re ready to eat. The pack contains 85 g. Before dividing them among your guests, check how many croissants are included and read the current ingredients and allergen information.
No image available
For anyone who wants to bake four croissants just before brunch. Check the baking time and temperature on the pack before planning your oven batches, and read the allergen information.
No image available
A pack of four butter croissants for your brunch table. If you’re planning to serve brunch at a set time, check whether they’re ready to eat or need baking first; also read the current allergen information.
Choose fresh croissants to serve straight away, ready-to-bake croissants if you want to bake them just before brunch, and frozen croissants if you want to shop ahead and have freezer space. Prepare ready-to-bake and frozen products according to their own packaging: Albert Heijn gives a baking time of 12–15 minutes at 200 °C for its fresh croissant dough, while Délifrance gives 18 minutes at 185 °C for its frozen croissants, without thawing first.
Not if you want to offer the same kind of bread choice: a croissant is not automatically wholemeal bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the nutritional value of wholemeal and brown bread and that of white bread. So, if guests would like it, serve wholemeal or brown bread separately.
You can only tell by checking the current ingredients and allergen warnings for the specific product. A plant-based label does not automatically mean a croissant is gluten-free; also check for possible traces if that’s relevant to your guest.
Not in the case of the Délifrance croissants described here: according to the product information, thawed croissants must not be refrozen. For other frozen products, follow the storage instructions on the pack.
