Eaters who prefer familiar flavours
If fillings, strong flavours or a different texture can be off-putting, a plain croissant could be a good place to start. It’s still important to check the ingredients and allergens of the product you choose.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families who want to bake just before eating
For a planned breakfast or brunch, you can prepare a bake-at-home or frozen croissant shortly before serving. Check in advance how much time, which equipment and what storage the packaging specifies.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients and allergens
If someone has a food allergy or needs to follow a specific diet, the latest product information matters more than their preferred flavour or shape. Don’t assume a standard butter croissant is gluten-free or dairy-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a fussy eater, familiarity is the best place to start. Then choose a preparation method that suits when you plan to serve it, and check the ingredients before buying.
Fresh shop-bought croissant
When to choose it: Choose this if the eater wants a familiar croissant they can enjoy straight away. Albert Heijn lists its AH Luxe butter croissant as a 90 g portion.
Things to consider: You can’t choose when it’s baked, and it won’t necessarily still be warm when you eat it.
Long-life bake-at-home croissant
When to choose it: This is a good option if you want to warm up a plain croissant just before eating.
Things to consider: You’ll need the time and equipment specified on the packaging. Ingredients vary by product.
Frozen croissant
When to choose it: Choose this for a planned mealtime if you have freezer space and want to serve the croissants warm.
Things to consider: Preparation and defrosting instructions vary. Jumbo has rules about using its croissants after defrosting, while Délifrance at PLUS says to bake them without defrosting.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar flavour and texture | Start with a familiar, plain type, then check the ingredients and preparation method. | If fillings or an unusual texture often put someone off, I want to know what I’ll be serving. Familiarity comes first for around 50% of consumers. |
| Serving warm | Compare the preparation time, equipment needed and storage instructions for bake-at-home and frozen options. | For a planned breakfast, I want to warm the croissant just before eating. Around 30% of consumers give serving it at the right time top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label. If you’re buying a loose croissant, ask for allergen information before you buy. | If someone needs to avoid a particular ingredient, I want to be sure before I take a croissant home. For around 20% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘made with butter’ or ‘premium’ means it suits a particular diet
These terms don’t tell you whether a croissant is suitable for someone with a food allergy or dietary restriction. The butter croissants reviewed list ingredients including wheat and milk; other allergens vary by product.
For a packaged product, read the latest allergen information. If you’re buying a loose croissant, ask about allergens before you buy.
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Assuming every croissant contains baker’s salt
Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. So information listed for one product won’t necessarily apply to another.
If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list for the croissant you’re considering.
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Treating a frozen croissant like a quick bake-at-home option
Frozen products need freezer space and may have different preparation and defrosting instructions from long-life bake-at-home croissants. Jumbo says its luxury frozen butter croissants must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Read the instructions before buying, and choose an option that suits your planned mealtime.
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Relying only on product information you looked at online earlier
The ingredients and allergens in a croissant can change. This is especially important if someone needs to avoid a specific ingredient.
Check the packaging just before buying, or ask for the latest information if you’re buying a loose product.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH Luxe butter croissant is a fresh, individually sold croissant that’s ready to serve.
- Albert Heijn lists this product as 90 g per croissant, made with 25% butter, and provides ingredient and allergen information.
- If you have an allergy, always check the latest label; online product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both long-life bake-at-home butter croissants and luxury frozen butter croissants.
- The product information for each option describes its ingredients, allergens and storage requirements.
- Preparation methods and ingredients differ between the two types, so read the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Lidl
Lidl offers a butter croissant in store for anyone who wants to take home a fresh croissant.
- Lidl describes the product as made with butter.
- If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, check the latest ingredient and allergen information in store before choosing.
ALDI
ALDI offers a fresh, individually sold butter croissant that’s ready to serve.
- The individual portion makes it easy to choose a single croissant.
- If you have a dietary restriction, ask about the latest ingredients and allergens before buying.
PLUS
PLUS offers long-life bake-at-home butter croissants and a larger luxury frozen option.
- For the options reviewed, the product information includes details such as preparation, allergens and the type of salt used.
- Choose your preferred preparation method carefully, and check the latest packaging for ingredients and instructions.
Dirk
Dirk offers a fresh, individually sold butter croissant and own-brand bake-at-home croissants.
- The fresh butter croissant is listed as a 65 g portion.
- If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, check the information on the packaging or by the shelf.
Croissants and bake-at-home options on Joybuy
These products offer a choice of smaller croissants, a pack of four butter croissants and an option to bake at home. Check each product’s size, ingredients and preparation method to see if they suit what the eater is used to.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
The smaller size could be a good fit if the eater would rather start with a mini croissant.
Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and serving instructions.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 stuks, 180 g
The pack of four is a good choice when you want to serve several croissants.
Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and serving instructions.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 stuks
This bake-at-home option is a good fit if you want to prepare the croissants just before eating.
According to the product information, this option is made with margarine rather than butter. Check the packaging for baking time, equipment needed and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is a premium butter croissant automatically a good choice for a fussy eater?
No. A luxury name or stated butter percentage doesn’t tell you which flavours and textures someone will enjoy. Start with a familiar type, plain if necessary, then check the ingredients and preparation method.
Can I choose a standard butter croissant if gluten, wheat or milk needs to be avoided?
Don’t assume so: the butter croissants reviewed list wheat or gluten and milk. For any dietary restriction, always check the latest ingredient and allergen information for the specific product.
Where can I find allergen information for a loose croissant?
Before buying, ask the seller about the allergens in that croissant or check what information is available by the shelf. For pre-packed products, allergen information must be shown on the label according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that. Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
What should I check before baking a frozen croissant?
Check whether the croissant needs to be defrosted first, and read the storage and baking instructions. Jumbo says its luxury frozen butter croissants must not be refrozen after defrosting, and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours. Délifrance says its frozen croissants can be baked without defrosting.