If you’re serving someone with coeliac disease, first choose a croissant clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current packaging and how it will be served. Then compare the number of croissants, how they’re prepared and any other allergens: AH Gluten-free offers two oven-ready croissants, Schär has four frozen croissants and Consenza has three. If you’re planning to shop on Easter Sunday, check your local store’s opening hours.
You want to choose a croissant labelled gluten-free and avoid it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary croissants during preparation or serving. The Dutch Coeliac Association warns that cross-contamination with gluten can also make people with coeliac disease ill.
You’re looking for a pack with the right number of croissants and want to know how much preparation is needed to serve them warm at lunch.
As well as avoiding gluten, you may need to consider eggs, milk, soya, wheat or other allergens, or find a vegan or lactose-free option. Check each pack for this information.
First, check the gluten-free labelling and allergens on the current packaging. Then choose a quantity and preparation method that suit your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and cross-contamination | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and check the current ingredients and warnings. When serving, keep utensils and fillings free from crumbs from ordinary bread. | If I’m serving someone with coeliac disease, I want to be sure which product I’m buying and avoid contact with gluten when serving it; around 50% of consumers put this gluten-free check first. |
| Quantity and preparation | Compare two croissants in the AH Gluten-free pack, four in Schär and three in Consenza. Also check the preparation instructions and whether your chosen variety needs to be stored chilled, in a dry place or in the freezer. | For a lunch with several guests, I want enough suitable portions without having to work out the preparation at the last minute; around 30% of consumers prioritise quantity and lunch planning. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Read the allergen list on the pack you choose. According to the product information, AH Gluten-free may contain eggs, Schär contains wheat, eggs and milk, among other ingredients, and Consenza contains eggs, milk and soya. | If guests need to avoid ingredients other than gluten, I don’t want to assume that one croissant will suit everyone; around 20% of consumers are most concerned about additional allergens and dietary requirements. |
A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a croissant is also free from eggs, milk, soya or wheat. The allergen information for AH Gluten-free, Schär and Consenza varies.
Check the allergens on the current packaging for each guest rather than relying on the gluten-free label alone.
The Dutch Coeliac Association says cross-contamination with gluten can make people with coeliac disease ill. Even a product bought as gluten-free can come into contact with crumbs from ordinary croissants when it’s served.
Prepare and serve the gluten-free croissants separately, using clean utensils and fillings that haven’t come into contact with ordinary bread.
The packs mentioned contain two, four or three croissants. As a result, a pack may not quite match the number of guests who eat gluten-free.
Count those guests in advance and read the storage instructions if you expect to have croissants left over.
According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening arrangements vary by municipality. So you can’t assume your local store will be open on Easter Sunday.
Buy the croissants in advance or check the opening hours of the specific store beforehand.
Albert Heijn lists a pack of two gluten-free oven-ready croissants, with instructions for cooking them in an oven or air fryer.
Jumbo lists the gluten-free Croissant à la Française as a frozen product in a pack of four, weighing 220 g in total.
Jumbo lists Consenza gluten-free croissants in a pack of 3 × 60 g, with instructions for cooking them in an oven or microwave.
Choose a croissant labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and warnings. Avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary croissants during preparation and serving; the Dutch Coeliac Association warns about cross-contamination with gluten.
Yes. The gluten-free Schär croissant listed by Jumbo also includes wheat in its allergen information. When choosing a product for someone with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and the current packaging. If they also need to avoid wheat because of an allergy, don’t choose a product that lists wheat as an allergen.
It depends on the store. According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening arrangements vary by municipality. So check your store’s opening hours before setting off, or buy the croissants in advance.
No, don’t assume they do. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients on the packaging if you want to know what kind of salt is used in a particular croissant.
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for the variety you choose. Albert Heijn says its gluten-free croissants should be stored in a cool, dry place and advises against refreezing them at home. According to Jumbo, Schär is a frozen product that must not be refrozen once thawed; Consenza recommends storing its croissants in a cool, dry place. Check the current packaging before planning your lunch.
