A host who wants sourdough
You’re looking for a croissant that contains sourdough. Check the ingredients for the croissant itself, even if the shop also sells sourdough bread.
Who is this choice relevant to?
A host who wants to serve them warm
You want to put several croissants on the table at around the same time and can bake them at home. Choose a pack with preparation instructions that fit your plans.
A shopper who needs to check allergens
You want to know which allergens are relevant to your guests before you buy. For a packaged product, read the current label; for an unpackaged croissant, ask the seller for the allergen information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether sourdough is essential for your Asian-themed evening; then consider when you’ll serve the croissants, how many guests you have and the allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough in the croissant | Check the product name and ingredients for the exact croissant; also look out for other raising agents listed. | If sourdough is why I’m choosing this croissant, I want to know whether it’s actually in the ingredients. Around 33% of consumers would put that confirmation first. |
| Serving them warm | Check whether the product needs baking and follow the preparation instructions on the pack. | I want to serve the croissants warm when the guests arrive, so I need to be able to plan the baking. For around 25% of consumers, this would be their top priority. |
| How many guests you’re serving | Compare the number of croissants and the total pack weight with the number of people eating. | For a shared meal, I want to have enough croissants without ending up with lots left over. Around 25% of consumers would consider the amount needed most important. |
| Allergen information | Read the current label or, for unpackaged croissants, ask the seller for the allergen information. | If a guest needs to avoid certain allergens, I want to be able to check the information before buying anything. For around 17% of consumers, this would be the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough bread and sourdough croissants are the same thing
Albert Heijn and PLUS list sourdough products alongside croissants, but a sourdough bread category tells you nothing about the ingredients in an individual croissant.
Check whether sourdough is listed for the croissant itself before choosing it for that reason.
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Relying on the name to check allergens
The words ‘sourdough’ and ‘artisan’ don’t tell you which allergens a croissant contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
Read the current label or, for an unpackaged product, ask the seller for the information your guests need.
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Assuming a shop’s range is always in stock
Lidl describes its pictured butter croissant as a shop product, while ALDI also says its range can vary. So a product page doesn’t guarantee that your local branch will have it on the day you’re serving it.
Check availability at your chosen shop and decide in advance whether a regular or ready-to-bake croissant would be an acceptable alternative.
An unexpected change of shop can cost you extra time just before serving.
Shops and brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Lists croissants and sourdough bread in separate categories.
- The croissant category includes fresh, ready-to-bake and frozen options.
- Having sourdough bread in the range doesn’t confirm that a croissant contains sourdough.
Jumbo
Has a separate croissant category with a range of regular products.
- You can distinguish between options such as butter, plant-based and frozen croissants.
- Check the ingredients for the specific croissant if sourdough is essential.
Lidl
Lists a butter croissant from its shop range.
- The product information refers to ingredients and allergens.
- Check in-store availability, and don’t take the butter description as a claim that it contains sourdough.
ALDI
Lists croissants among its products to bake at home.
- A ready-to-bake product lets you plan when to serve them at home.
- The range can vary, so check both availability and ingredients for the product you choose.
PLUS
Lists croissant products and, separately, sourdough bread.
- The product information for a small butter croissant includes specific baking instructions.
- Sourdough bread and croissant dough are different products; check the ingredients for the croissant itself.
Dirk
Lists butter croissants, including ready-to-bake and frozen products.
- Pack sizes can help you plan how many croissants you’ll need for your guests.
- Don’t assume the recipe contains sourdough without checking the details for that specific product.
Croissants for different preferences
These Joybuy products suit three choices for the evening: checking whether a croissant contains wheat sourdough, baking croissants at home or choosing mini croissants if sourdough isn’t essential.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for sourdough in the ingredients: check the current label for wheat sourdough and yeast, without assuming this means a particular flavour.
The product name lists 4 pieces and a total weight of 180 g. Check the pack for allergen information and preparation instructions before planning when to serve them.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A ready-to-bake option if you want to serve the croissants warm at a time of your choosing. Allow time for a batch in the oven, and follow the instructions on this product’s packaging for the temperature and baking time.
The product name lists 4 pieces. Check the current ingredients and allergen information; don’t choose this option based on an unverified sourdough claim.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
A mini croissant option if sourdough isn’t essential for your guests. Don’t choose based on the name alone: check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
The product name lists a total weight of 200 g. Check the pack for how to serve or prepare this option.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sourdough croissant automatically have a strong sour taste?
No, the name alone doesn’t predict the flavour of a specific croissant. Check the ingredients and ask the seller about the recipe if the sourdough element is essential.
How can I check allergens in an unpackaged croissant?
Ask the seller for the allergen information for that product before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for a prepacked croissant should appear on the label.
Can I use the same oven time for every ready-to-bake croissant?
No, follow the instructions on the packaging for the exact product. For example, PLUS gives a baking time of 14 ± 2 minutes at 170 ± 10 °C for its small butter croissant; those product-specific instructions don’t automatically apply to another croissant.
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that every croissant does. The Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods, in the version consulted and in force since 14 November 2014, allows iodine to be added to bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products via baker’s salt, up to a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt; it doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in an individual croissant. Check the product information or ask the seller.
How do I work out how many croissants I’ll need for my guests?
Start with the number of guests, then compare the number of pieces and the total weight shown on the packs. If you choose a ready-to-bake option, also consider how many croissants you can bake at once.