Who is this choice for?

Host planning a coffee get-together

You want to serve croissants to a few older guests and can set aside time for baking and cooling. A luxury bake-at-home or frozen croissant is a good fit when baking it yourself is part of the planned visit.

Older person or carer who checks labels

You’re looking for something to enjoy with coffee, but want to check the ingredients, allergens and salt content in advance. Whether the product contains iodised salt may also matter to your individual choice.

Small household looking for convenience

You need one or a few croissants and don’t want to use the oven or keep a supply in the freezer. An individual croissant may suit your coffee break better, provided the product information you need is available.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Baking at home Check the baking time, any cooling time and whether you have a suitable oven. I want to bake the croissants myself for a planned visit and can time serving around that. For around 31% of consumers, freshly baked croissants with coffee are the priority.
Label and nutritional information Read the ingredients and allergen information; only compare salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check whether iodised salt is listed. If I need to watch allergens or salt, I can’t rely on ‘butter’ in the name alone. For around 31% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority.
Small quantity Check how many croissants are in the pack and whether you can serve them without baking them at home. For one or a few guests, I don’t want to buy more croissants than I need. Around 23% of consumers prioritise a small quantity that’s ready to serve.
Storage and preparation For frozen products, check the storage instructions, defrosting requirements and oven instructions. I want to know in advance whether freezer space, the oven and preparation time will fit into the visit’s schedule. For around 15% of consumers, this predictability matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘butter’ tells you everything about the label

    The name doesn’t tell you which other allergens may be present or how much salt a croissant contains. PLUS’s product information for its luxury butter croissant lists wheat, egg and milk, among other ingredients.

    Check the current ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the specific product. If you’re buying unwrapped croissants in store, ask for the allergen information.

  • Choosing frozen croissants for an unexpected visit

    PLUS says its luxury butter croissant takes 20–25 minutes to bake, followed by 30 minutes to cool. According to their cooking instructions, the Délifrance butter croissants at PLUS need 18 minutes in the oven.

    If you’re short on preparation time, choose a croissant that’s ready to serve. If you opt for a frozen version, make sure you have freezer space and time to use the oven.

  • Assuming a croissant is a meal in itself

    A croissant with afternoon coffee is different from a full meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that older people still need enough nutrients, even when they eat less.

    Consider the croissant alongside whatever else someone eats, rather than automatically treating it as a replacement for a meal.

  • Assuming every shop stocks the same range

    Albert Heijn lists its luxury butter croissant as an in-store product; Lidl also says its butter croissant is only available in store. That doesn’t guarantee the product will be available at a particular shop.

    Check the range at the shop you’re planning to visit. If you’re buying unwrapped products, ask for the current ingredients and allergen information at the same time.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers several types of croissant, including butter, mini and bake-at-home varieties.

  • The different sizes and preparation methods give you options for your planned coffee get-together.
  • The luxury butter croissant is listed as an in-store product; check local availability and product information.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes butter, bake-at-home and frozen croissants.

  • You can compare different preparation methods in the range shown.
  • Check the instructions for each product, as well as availability at your local branch or in your delivery area.

PLUS

PLUS offers a luxury butter croissant to bake at home, as well as frozen Délifrance butter croissants.

  • For the luxury variety, PLUS lists 24% butter, the ingredients and the cooking instructions.
  • The luxury variety requires oven baking, cooling time and freezer space.

Dirk

Dirk lists 1 de Beste butter croissants in a pack of four, weighing 180 g in total.

  • The number of croissants and pack weight can help you plan how many you need.
  • Check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the product packaging.

ALDI

ALDI offers individual butter croissants from its in-store bakery.

  • Buying them individually works well when you only need a few croissants for a small group.
  • If you need allergen or nutritional information to help you choose, ask in store for the latest details.

Lidl

Lidl offers butter croissants from its in-store bakery.

  • They’re an option if you want to pick up croissants while you’re out shopping.
  • Lidl says they’re only available in store; check what’s on offer there and ask about ingredients and allergens if needed.

Croissants at Joybuy for afternoon coffee

These g'woon croissants let you compare a mini size with a pack of four for your coffee break. Check the cooking instructions before you buy: the product names don’t tell you whether they’re ready to serve or need baking first.

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

The mini size is worth considering if you want to serve smaller croissants. The pack contains 200 g; check the preparation method, allergens and salt information on the current label.

View at Joybuy
g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

A pack of four croissants is worth considering if you want to serve something with coffee to several people. The pack weighs 180 g; check the preparation method, allergens and salt information on the current label.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does every croissant have to contain iodised salt?

Don’t assume that every croissant contains iodised salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine compounds may be used in bakery products; PLUS lists iodised salt in its luxury butter croissant. Check the ingredients of the croissant you’re planning to buy.

Which allergens are listed for the frozen croissants mentioned?

According to PLUS’s product information, both its luxury butter croissant and the Délifrance butter croissants contain wheat, egg and milk; possible traces of soya and nuts are also mentioned for both. Check the current label on the pack you choose.

Can a croissant with coffee replace a meal?

Don’t automatically treat a croissant as a meal replacement. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that older people may need less energy, while still needing enough nutrients. What’s suitable with coffee also depends on what else someone eats.

How do I choose a croissant for someone with chewing or swallowing difficulties?

You can’t tell from the name of a croissant whether its texture is suitable for someone with chewing or swallowing difficulties. Follow any existing guidance on suitable textures and, if in doubt, ask the healthcare professional involved what’s appropriate.