Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone who needs to eat strictly gluten-free

For a coeliac-friendly lunch, look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society also warns about cross-contamination from things such as a shared chopping board or butter tub.

People working from home with a short lunch break

If you’re short on time, it matters whether your chosen croissant can be heated in the microwave or needs an oven or air fryer. Also check whether you need to keep it in the freezer.

Anyone who needs to watch out for other ingredients

‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you whether a product contains lactose, milk, egg, soya or nuts. So check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

If the lunch is for someone with coeliac disease, start by checking that it’s labelled gluten-free. Then consider how you’ll prepare it during your break, as well as any other ingredient requirements and how much storage space you have.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is it important for?
Gluten-free status and cross-contamination Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Use clean utensils and separate fillings when serving. If I eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I also want to make sure the croissant doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread at home. This is the main priority for around 42% of consumers.
Preparation time and equipment Compare the microwave, oven or air fryer instructions and check whether the product needs to be kept frozen. During a short break from working at home, I want to know whether I can get my croissant ready in time using the equipment I have. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this practical aspect of preparation.
Other allergens and storage Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you’ve chosen. Also look at how many croissants are in the pack and how much storage space you’ll need. If I need to avoid something besides gluten, or want to keep croissants for several lunches, the details on the specific pack determine my choice. This is the biggest consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an ordinary croissant from a shop that sells gluten-free products

    A shop’s gluten-free range doesn’t mean that every bakery product it sells is gluten-free. A product page for an ordinary croissant also doesn’t confirm that a gluten-free version is available.

    Check the product name and look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging of the croissant you’re actually buying.

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    PLUS describes its Consenza croissants as wheat-free and lactose-free. Schär says that Croissant à la Française contains egg and skimmed milk powder, and may contain traces of hazelnut and soya. This information applies to the specific product, not to all gluten-free croissants.

    If you need to avoid anything besides gluten, compare the latest ingredients and allergen information.

  • Forgetting about cross-contamination in your own kitchen

    The Dutch Coeliac Society says that cross-contamination can happen through things such as crumbs on a shared chopping board or using a shared butter tub.

    Store and serve the gluten-free croissant separately from ordinary bread, using clean utensils and separate fillings.

Supermarkets to consider

A supermarket is a useful place to buy a croissant only if you can check the specific product and the information on its packaging. Availability may vary by store or order.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Croissants and Schär Croissant à la Française.

  • A possible option if Albert Heijn is your usual supermarket.
  • For the AH own-brand product, check the current packaging before drawing conclusions about ingredients, allergens or preparation.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Consenza Glutenvrije Croissants and Schär Croissant à la Française as a frozen product.

  • The product information lets you compare an option with microwave instructions with a frozen one.
  • Check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the packaging you choose; the products aren’t interchangeable.

Lidl

Lidl describes an additional gluten-free range, but this doesn’t confirm that a specific gluten-free croissant is available.

  • A store where you can look locally for a specific gluten-free product.
  • Lidl says its additional gluten-free products are temporarily unavailable, so check what’s in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread and regularly stocks gluten-free bread rolls that can be baked at home. These are different product categories from gluten-free croissants.

  • Another option if you can check the product packaging in store.
  • An ordinary butter croissant isn’t a confirmed gluten-free alternative.

PLUS

PLUS lists Consenza Croissants in a pack of 3, weighing 180 g.

  • PLUS provides microwave and oven instructions and describes this product as wheat-free and lactose-free.
  • Check the current packaging for information about other ingredients and allergens.

Dirk

Dirk shows a general range of gluten-free products, but that doesn’t tell you which croissants are available there.

  • Another option for checking a specific product and its label.
  • Don’t assume a croissant is gluten-free based on a general mention of gluten-free products.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in a croissant for someone with coeliac disease?

First, look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, then take care to avoid cross-contamination when storing and serving it. Check the other allergen information too if there are additional requirements.

How can I avoid cross-contamination during lunch while working from home?

Use a clean chopping board and knife, and separate fillings for the gluten-free croissant. The Dutch Coeliac Society gives examples of cross-contamination including bread crumbs on a shared board and using a shared butter tub.

Can I heat a gluten-free croissant without an oven?

For Consenza, Jumbo and PLUS give microwave instructions for 20 seconds at 800 W. Schär provides oven or air fryer instructions for Croissant à la Française; always follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.

Are gluten-free croissants also lactose-free, dairy-free or egg-free?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t confirm any of those other characteristics. PLUS describes its Consenza product as wheat-free and lactose-free, while Schär lists egg and skimmed milk powder in Croissant à la Française. Check the ingredients on the current packaging.

Does ‘gluten-free’ tell me anything about the iodine in a croissant?

No. You can’t tell the iodine content or whether iodised baker’s salt has been used from the words ‘gluten-free’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, so don’t judge a croissant on this basis using only its gluten-free label.