If you want to serve croissants straight away, choose fresh ones. If you’d rather serve them warm without shaping the dough yourself, go for pre-baked croissants that you can finish in the oven. Chilled croissant dough is a good choice if you want to roll your own and have the time, refrigeration and oven space. If by ‘medium sliced’ you mean medium-sliced bread, look in the sliced bread category. For croissants, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
If you want to serve something warm without shaping the dough, compare pre-baked croissants by their cooking time and the appliance you’ll need. PLUS gives instructions for preparing one of its bake-off products in both an oven and an air fryer.
If shaping the dough and baking just before serving suits your evening, take a look at chilled croissant dough. Remember to factor in the storage instructions, preparation time and the oven space you have available.
If you prefer plant-based food or have a food allergy, the information for the specific product matters more than its category name. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, even for a plant-based croissant.
First decide whether you want to serve the croissants straight away, finish them briefly in the oven or shape them yourself. Then check the preparation instructions and ingredients for the product you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving them warm quickly | Check whether the croissants are pre-baked and follow the instructions for your oven or air fryer. For one product, PLUS recommends 4–6 minutes at 200°C in the oven or 4 minutes at 180°C in the air fryer. | If there are other nibbles to get ready as well, I don’t want to have to cut and roll dough too. Around 42% of consumers prioritise serving something warm quickly. |
| Shaping and baking them yourself | Check whether you’re buying dough, how it should be stored and how long it needs to bake. Albert Heijn recommends baking its fresh original croissants for 12–15 minutes at 200°C. | If you want to roll the dough yourself just before the drinks party, you’ll need to allow extra time for preparation and plan your oven use. Around 33% of consumers prefer to shape the croissants themselves. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. Don’t assume a product is suitable based on the ‘plant-based’ label alone. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the exact product before serving it. Checking ingredients is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Dutch croissant ranges include different sizes, fillings and preparation methods. So ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t describe a specific type of croissant.
Check whether you mean croissants or medium-sliced bread. If you do want croissants, choose based on their size, preparation method and ingredients.
Jumbo’s plant-based croissant lists wheat and gluten, and warns that the product may contain milk, among other allergens.
Check the allergen information for the specific product for every guest, even if it’s labelled ‘plant-based’.
Instructions vary depending on the product: a pre-baked PLUS croissant has a shorter recommended oven time than the croissant dough in Albert Heijn’s range included in this comparison.
Plan your oven space around when you want to serve the croissants, and follow the time and temperature on the packaging of the product you’re using.
PLUS warns that information such as ingredients and allergens may change. This is especially important if a guest needs to avoid an ingredient.
When you buy or receive the croissants, check the packaging of the exact product you’ll be serving.
The online croissant range includes fresh, bake-off and frozen options.
The online category includes bake-off, frozen, mini and plant-based croissants.
Lidl lists a cheese croissant which, according to its product page, is available in store only.
ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually in store.
PLUS lists both pre-baked butter croissants and small butter croissants to bake at home.
The online range includes butter and margarine croissants, as well as products from Danerolles and Délifrance.
No, ‘medium sliced’ isn’t a clear description of the croissants in the Dutch ranges mentioned here. If you mean medium-sliced bread for the drinks table, look for sliced bread rather than croissants.
No, check the latest allergen information on the packaging of the specific product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that the 14 main allergens must be listed on the label. A plant-based croissant may also contain allergens or mention possible traces of them.
Follow the instructions for the dough you buy. Albert Heijn says its fresh original croissants should be stored at a maximum of 7°C and prepared straight after opening. So plan when to roll and bake them around the time you’ll be serving them.
