Which option is right for you?

Hosts looking for a seed-filled bite

Do you want the croissant to have a noticeable seed texture even without a filling? Look for one specifically labelled as multiseed, such as the croissants described by Albert Heijn and Lidl.

Hosts who want to bake them fresh

If you have an oven and can plan ahead, a bake-at-home croissant is an option for serving warm. Check separately whether the product you choose contains seeds.

Shoppers checking ingredients or allergens

If the ingredients determine your choice, you’ll need information about the exact product. When buying an individual croissant, ask for the latest allergen information before you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want seeds in the croissant itself, or whether serving it warm or choosing a different type of bread would better suit your drinks party.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Seeds and texture Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients and, if stated, how much is included. I want the croissant itself to have a noticeable seed texture, even without a filling; that texture is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Serving warm Check the defrosting and baking instructions, and make sure you have enough oven space. I want to serve warm croissants just before the drinks party and can plan their preparation; this matters most to around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including when buying loose. I want to know before buying which ingredients and allergens matter for my guests; this is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Local availability Check whether your chosen seeded variety is available at your local shop. When I’m shopping for the drinks party, I want to know whether my local branch stocks the croissant I’ve chosen; local availability is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming seeded means wholemeal

    The presence of seeds doesn’t tell you which flour was used to make the croissant. For example, wheat flour is the first ingredient listed for the AH Meerzaden croissant.

    If the ingredients matter to your choice, check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information. Don’t assume that a seeded variety is wholemeal.

  • Relying on the product name to check allergens

    A name that includes ‘multiseed’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a croissant contains. And when you’re buying loose, you may not have packaging to check for yourself.

    Ask for the latest allergen information for the exact product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged food.

  • Underestimating the preparation needed for bake-at-home croissants

    Some bake-at-home croissants need to defrost first, followed by preheating the oven and baking. This can be tricky if you’re using the oven for other party snacks at the same time.

    Read the cooking instructions before you buy and plan your oven space. Choose a ready-to-eat croissant if baking doesn’t fit your schedule.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So a mention of iodised salt on one product doesn’t mean it’s used in another croissant.

    Check the ingredients for the exact product if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used. Albert Heijn lists it in its Meerzaden croissant.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The AH Meerzaden croissant is a clearly labelled seeded option.

  • Albert Heijn lists linseeds and sunflower seeds, along with the product’s ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
  • The product is listed as available in store only, so check availability at your local branch.

Lidl

Lidl describes its multiseed croissant as made with several types of seed.

  • The product name makes it clear that this is a multiseed croissant.
  • Ask for the latest ingredient and allergen information if it matters to your choice.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers croissants to bake at home, among other options.

  • A bake-at-home option works well if you want to serve warm croissants and can plan the preparation.
  • Check whether the croissant you choose also contains seeds; a bake-at-home croissant isn’t automatically a multiseed variety.

PLUS

PLUS stocks a butter croissant to bake at home, as well as multiseed bread as a different type of product.

  • The small butter croissant comes with baking instructions to help you plan ahead.
  • The butter croissant mentioned is not the same product as multiseed bread, so check which texture you’re looking for at your drinks party.

ALDI

ALDI lists croissants to bake at home and also offers multigrain rolls.

  • You can weigh up a bake-at-home croissant against a roll with a different composition and texture.
  • Check the current in-store range if it’s important that the croissant itself contains seeds.

Dirk

Dirk lists butter croissants and a multigrain roll as an alternative for a drinks party.

  • A multigrain roll is a separate option if you’d rather have a bread-like texture than the shape of a croissant.
  • Don’t assume a butter croissant contains seeds without checking the product information.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a multiseed croissant automatically wholemeal?

No. The presence of seeds doesn’t mean the whole grain has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholemeal bread by the use of the entire grain, while wheat flour is listed as the first ingredient in the AH Meerzaden croissant. So check the product name and ingredients.

Can I ask about allergens when buying a croissant loose?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers of unpackaged food must tell customers about 14 allergens. Before you buy, ask for the information for the exact croissant, especially if ingredients such as cereals, milk, egg or sesame matter for your guests.

Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised salt?

No, you can’t assume that every croissant does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its Meerzaden croissant; for another product, check its own ingredient information.

How should I plan bake-at-home croissants for a drinks party?

Before you buy, read both the defrosting and baking instructions, and consider how much oven space you have. For its small butter croissant, PLUS recommends defrosting for 20 minutes and baking for 14 ± 2 minutes at 170 ± 10 °C; for another product, follow the instructions on its packaging.