If you’re looking for a larger croissant for a generously filled holiday snack, choose one with a clearly stated size, check the weight per croissant or look for dough you can shape yourself. Don’t rely on the term ‘thick cut’. Part-baked croissants need little preparation; with dough, you can choose the shape yourself, while frozen croissants need freezer space. Whatever you choose, check the preparation instructions and the latest ingredients and allergen information.
If by ‘thick cut’ you mean a larger croissant, look for one specifically described as large, or choose dough that you can shape into larger croissants yourself. PLUS says its croissant dough can be used to make both mini and maxi croissants.
If you have an oven where you’re staying but don’t want to shape dough, part-baked croissants are an option. Albert Heijn and PLUS give a baking time of 4–6 minutes for the butter croissants reviewed here.
Ingredients vary from one croissant to another. Before buying, check the information on the specific packaging for ingredients such as wheat, milk and egg. For unwrapped croissants, ask for allergen information.
Choose this if: you want to make a larger croissant for fillings yourself. PLUS says its dough can be used to make mini and maxi croissants.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to shape and bake the dough, and have access to suitable refrigeration and an oven.
Choose this if: you’re looking for a croissant specifically described as large, without having to shape the dough yourself.
Bear in mind: the storage instructions. PLUS says its Luxe large butter croissant should be stored at −18 °C and not refrozen after defrosting.
Choose this if: you want to serve warm croissants quickly using an oven. Albert Heijn and PLUS give a baking time of 4–6 minutes for the varieties reviewed here.
Bear in mind: the size of each croissant if you want to add plenty of filling. A short baking time tells you nothing about its size.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size for fillings | Look for a description such as ‘large’, check the weight per croissant or see whether the dough can be shaped yourself. Weight alone won’t tell you how much room there is for fillings. | If I want to add plenty of filling, I want to be able to judge in advance whether the size is right. Around 40% of consumers put size first. |
| Preparation where you’re staying | Compare the baking time and storage instructions with the oven and fridge or freezer space available. | If I’m short on time or facilities are limited, I want to be able to prepare a croissant where I’m staying. Around 30% of consumers put ease of preparation first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. Check the label for iodised salt too, if that matters to you. | If I need to watch out for specific ingredients or allergens, I want to see the information for this particular product before buying. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
The croissants reviewed here are described in other ways, for example as ‘large’, by their weight per croissant or as dough for making mini and maxi croissants. The term ‘thick cut’ doesn’t give you a specific measurement for comparing products.
Check the size description and weight per croissant. If you want to decide how large your croissant will be, look for dough that you can shape yourself.
PLUS says its Luxe large butter croissant should be stored at −18 °C. Preparation and storage instructions also vary by product.
Read the instructions before you set off and check that they’re compatible with the facilities where you’re staying.
A butter croissant, a margarine variety and a filled croissant can have different ingredients and allergen information.
Read the latest label on the packaging you’ve chosen. For unwrapped croissants, ask for allergen information.
Albert Heijn lists its AH butter croissants in a pack of 4 × 45 g.
Jumbo’s croissant range includes plant-based, large and other varieties.
PLUS lists both part-baked croissants and croissant dough, as well as a large frozen croissant.
Dirk’s category listing includes a butter croissant weighing 65 g each.
Lidl lists hazelnut-filled croissants in a pack of 5 × 48 g.
ALDI describes a fresh butter croissant sold in store.
The weight per croissant is listed for this option. Use it as a guide when choosing a holiday snack, and check the size if you want to add plenty of filling.
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Consider this croissant if you want to compare the weight per piece when choosing a holiday snack.
Listed weight: 85 g. Check the dimensions if you’re looking for plenty of room for fillings, and read the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens.
You can influence the size by shaping the croissant dough yourself. PLUS says its butter croissant dough can be used to make mini and maxi croissants; check the storage and baking instructions too.
Don’t assume so: check the ingredients list for the specific croissant. Albert Heijn and PLUS list iodised salt for the varieties reviewed, while PLUS lists ‘salt’ for the Délifrance frozen variety reviewed.
Read the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information appears on the label of pre-packed products. For unwrapped croissants, ask what allergen information is available.
Not if the instructions for that croissant say you shouldn’t. PLUS says its Luxe large butter croissant should be stored at −18 °C and not refrozen after defrosting. Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy.
