Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want to see sourdough in the ingredients

You don’t want to rely on words such as ‘artisan’. According to Jumbo, its Butter Croissant lists sourdough in the ingredients, alongside yeast.

If you want a quick breakfast top-up

You’re looking for a croissant to eat straight away or bake at home during a quick trip to the shops. Albert Heijn lists individual in-store croissants, while Lidl says its range of baked goods can vary by branch.

If you check ingredients and allergens

You want to know which ingredients and allergens apply to your chosen croissant before buying it. For an unpackaged product, you can ask for this information in store; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires retailers to make allergen information available.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether sourdough is essential for you. Then consider whether the croissant suits when you want to eat it and how many you need.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sourdough in the ingredients Look for sourdough or starter on the label. If you’re looking for dough leavened with sourdough alone, also check whether yeast is listed. If sourdough is the reason I’m choosing this croissant, I want to be able to find it in the ingredients; around 33% of consumers prioritise sourdough that is clearly listed.
Ready to eat quickly Check whether the croissant is ready to eat or needs baking, and whether the product you want is available at your local branch. On a quick trip to the shops, I don’t want to find out at home that the croissants still need to go in the oven. Speed is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.
Number of croissants Compare individual croissants with multi-packs and check whether you can store any leftovers. If I’m just topping up breakfast, I don’t want to take home a bigger pack than I can use; getting the right quantity is a priority for around 25% of consumers.
Allergens and storage Read the label or ask about allergens for an unpackaged croissant. If you’re stocking up, check the storage instructions too. I want to know which ingredients matter to me before buying, and whether I can store the rest. This is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough is the only raising agent

    According to Jumbo, its Butter Croissant contains both sourdough and yeast. So a mention of sourdough doesn’t mean the croissant is leavened with sourdough alone or made without other processing aids.

    Read the full ingredients list for the exact variety if the method of preparation or the ingredients are important to your choice.

  • Assuming a butter croissant is automatically a sourdough croissant

    ‘Butter’, ‘fresh’ and ‘luxury’ don’t tell you whether the dough contains sourdough. Make your choice based on the ingredients or product information.

    If sourdough is essential to you, ask about the ingredients of an unpackaged croissant.

  • Assuming the online range reflects in-store stock

    Lidl says its range of baked goods can vary by branch. Albert Heijn also lists croissants that are only available in store.

    Check with your local branch if you’re making a special trip for one particular product, and decide in advance what alternatives would work for you.

    If the product you want isn’t available, you may need to make an extra trip to another shop.

  • Overlooking allergens in an unpackaged croissant

    If you’re buying a croissant from the counter, there’s no packaging for you to read. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, retailers must make allergen information available for unpackaged food.

    Ask about the allergens in the specific croissant before buying it; for a packaged product, read the label.

Brands and retailers to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists, among other options, individual butter croissants and multi-packs.

  • Individual in-store croissants may suit you if you only need a small top-up.
  • A ‘butter’ or ‘luxury’ description doesn’t confirm that a product contains sourdough; check the exact product.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s Butter Croissant is a pre-packaged option whose ingredients, according to Jumbo, include sourdough.

  • You can check the sourdough listing on the label alongside the other ingredients.
  • According to Jumbo, this croissant also contains yeast, emulsifiers and flour improver; the sourdough in Jumbo’s breads tells you nothing about its other croissants.

Lidl

Lidl describes a range of bakery products that are baked throughout the day.

  • A trip to the shop may suit you if you’re looking for a freshly baked product.
  • According to Lidl, the range varies by branch; freshly baked doesn’t automatically mean a croissant contains sourdough.

PLUS

PLUS sells Korenlanders sourdough demi-baguettes, a bake-at-home option if sourdough is your main priority.

  • PLUS lists 13% sourdough for these demi-baguettes.
  • They’re baguettes, not croissants, so they’re not the right choice if you specifically want a croissant.

Dirk

Dirk lists butter croissants in packs for anyone looking to take home several.

  • Dirk lists a four-pack under its own brand and a six-pack of frozen Délifrance croissants.
  • If you’re specifically looking for sourdough, don’t rely on the ‘butter’ description for these varieties; check the ingredients instead.

Croissants on Joybuy

This four-pack of butter croissants may suit you if you’re looking for several croissants and want to check whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients. Before buying, also check the preparation instructions and allergens on the packaging.

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

A pack for anyone looking to take home several croissants. Check the ingredients if sourdough is essential to you, and check the packaging to see whether the croissants need preparing before eating.

4 pieces; 180 g per pack.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a croissant made with sourdough leavened entirely with sourdough?

Not necessarily. According to Jumbo, its Butter Croissant lists both sourdough with a starter culture and yeast. Read the full ingredients list to see which raising agents are listed for the variety you’ve chosen.

Where can I find allergen information for an unpackaged croissant?

Ask before you buy, at the place where the croissant is sold. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, retailers selling unpackaged food must make allergen information available.

Is iodised baker’s salt compulsory in every croissant?

No. According to NBC, using iodine-containing baker’s salt is not a legal requirement; it describes an agreement for Dutch bakeries producing for the Dutch market. Check the ingredients list to see whether a specific croissant contains iodised salt.

How long can I keep croissants if I buy several?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a croissant will keep for two days in a kitchen cupboard and one to three months in the freezer. For a packaged variety, follow the date and storage instructions on the label.

Does freshly baked mean a croissant contains sourdough?

No. ‘Freshly baked’ describes when the product was baked, not the ingredients in the dough. Check the product information or ask about the ingredients of an unpackaged croissant.