First, choose gluten-free croissants for your summer BBQ that suit your guests’ dietary requirements, then consider how to store and prepare them. Albert Heijn offers a vegan, lactose-free croissant to bake at home; Jumbo has a frozen Schär option, while PLUS sells a shelf-stable Consenza version. If you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, it’s important to prepare their food separately. Also check the current packaging, as gluten-free does not mean free from other allergens.
You’re looking for a croissant labelled gluten-free, and a way to prepare it without contact with crumbs, shared kitchen utensils or a shared oven rack. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends preparing gluten-free food separately.
You’re matching the number of croissants and serving time to the pack size, storage method and preparation instructions. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that there are different options.
As well as checking that a product is labelled gluten-free, you’re looking at its other ingredients and allergens. Information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS differs, including for egg, milk and soya.
Start with your guests’ dietary requirements, then choose a pack that suits your preparations and the number of portions you need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free food | Check that the product is labelled gluten-free and plan a clean, separate area for preparation and toppings. | If I’m serving a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent crumbs or shared utensils from touching their croissant. For around 36% of consumers, serving gluten-free food safely comes first. |
| Storage and preparation | Compare the storage method and preparation instructions with the oven space available and the time you plan to serve. | When the BBQ kitchen is busy, I want to know what I can store in advance and when I need to bake the croissants. Preparing ahead is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Read the current allergen information on the specific pack, even if it is labelled gluten-free. | When catering for guests with different dietary requirements, I don’t want to assume that gluten-free also means free from egg, milk or soya. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking for other allergens. |
| Portions and leftovers | Work out how many croissants you need and compare the number in each pack with the storage instructions. | For a small gathering, I want enough portions without opening more than necessary. Portion planning is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the product information, Schär contains egg and milk, AH Glutenvrij may contain egg, and PLUS lists egg and soya for Consenza. So one dietary label won’t answer all your guests’ questions.
Ask in advance which ingredients your guests need to avoid, and read the current packaging of the product you buy.
A gluten-free croissant can come into contact with regular bread products while it’s being baked, topped or served. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of preparing food separately.
Use clean utensils, a clean chopping board and separate toppings. Avoid using the same oven rack as regular bread rolls.
The packs mentioned contain two, four or three croissants, but they also differ in how they should be stored. Choosing the right quantity doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to store any leftovers according to the instructions.
Count your guests and check how to store the pack and when to prepare the croissants before you buy.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory. So a general comment about iodine tells you nothing about the ingredients in a specific gluten-free croissant.
Check the ingredients list if baker’s salt is relevant to your choice.
Albert Heijn offers a pack of two gluten-free croissants to bake at home.
Jumbo lists Schär Croissant à la Française as a gluten-free frozen product: four croissants weighing 220 g in total.
PLUS offers a pack of three gluten-free Consenza croissants weighing 180 g in total, to be stored in a cool, dry place.
No. As well as checking the label, consider what happens during preparation and serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends preparing gluten-free food separately to avoid contact with crumbs and shared equipment.
You’ll need to keep them carefully separated rather than use a shared oven rack. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends removing crumbs, using conventional top and bottom heat rather than a fan setting, and using a separate baking tray or foil as a barrier if needed.
No, you need to check each of these separately. Albert Heijn describes its gluten-free croissants as vegan and lactose-free, but says they may contain egg. According to Jumbo, the Schär option mentioned contains egg and milk, while PLUS lists egg and soya for the Consenza option mentioned.
No, don’t assume a specific croissant contains baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers are not required to use it, so check the ingredients of the product you buy.
