Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re specifically looking for sourdough

You’ll want the packaging or product page for your chosen croissant to confirm that sourdough or a starter has been used. An artisan look or a butter claim isn’t enough to confirm this.

If you’re making breakfast in a holiday home

You’ll want to know in advance whether you can store and prepare your croissants using the fridge, oven or air fryer actually available.

If you read labels carefully

You compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact product, even if you already know the brand.

What should you look for when choosing?

If sourdough is essential for you, start by checking that it’s mentioned. Then make sure you can prepare and store the croissants in your holiday home, and assess the ingredients and nutritional information for each product.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Confirmed sourdough Look for sourdough or a starter in the product information or on the packaging of the specific croissant. If I choose sourdough, I don’t want to base my decision on a butter claim or sourdough bread from the same range. An estimated 37% of consumers prioritise a sourdough claim for the specific product.
Preparation and storage Compare the equipment and preparation time required with the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. In a holiday home, I want to be able to make breakfast using the equipment and fridge available. An estimated 27% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any information about possible cross-contamination on the exact product label. If ingredients or allergens are important to me, I want to assess the specific product I’ve chosen rather than rely on the front of the packaging. This is the main reason for buying for around 18% of consumers.
Nutritional value and salt Compare the nutritional information per 100 g or per serving, and check the ingredients list for iodised salt. If nutritional value or the type of salt affects my choice, I want to use information for the product itself. This is the most important consideration for an estimated 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough bread in store confirms the croissants are sourdough

    A shop may sell sourdough bread without making the croissants in the same range with sourdough.

    Check the sourdough information on the packaging or official product page for the croissant you want to buy.

  • Choosing bake-at-home croissants without checking the kitchen

    Chilled dough that you still need to shape requires a different approach from a croissant that only needs a quick bake. For example, Albert Heijn says AH Verse original croissants take 12–15 minutes in an oven at 200 °C; these instructions don’t apply to other products.

    Before you set off, check what equipment and fridge are available and how much time you have for breakfast. Then follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.

  • Relying on a product name for allergen information

    Butter, plant-based and multiseed don’t tell you everything about the ingredients or possible allergens. A sourdough claim doesn’t mean that allergens are absent either.

    For every product, read the ingredients list and highlighted allergens, as well as any information about possible cross-contamination if that’s relevant to you.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell what type of salt a croissant contains just from its product category.

    For a packaged product, look for iodised salt in the ingredients list. For an unwrapped croissant, ask about the ingredients.

Brands to consider as a starting point

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells chilled croissant dough that you shape and bake yourself.

  • For AH Verse original croissants, Albert Heijn gives oven instructions of 12–15 minutes at 200 °C.
  • The name of this dough doesn’t confirm that it’s sourdough; check the details for the specific product.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a croissant category where you can compare different types.

  • Jumbo’s category includes plain, butter, plant-based and frozen options, among others.
  • A mention of sourdough bread elsewhere in the range doesn’t confirm that a croissant is made with sourdough.

Dirk

Dirk lists packaged butter croissants for a breakfast you prepare yourself.

  • The listed 1 de Beste pack contains four butter croissants, weighing 180 g in total.
  • Butter doesn’t confirm that a product is sourdough; check the information for the croissant you’ve chosen.

PLUS

At PLUS, you can compare croissants and croissant dough as different preparation options.

  • The range described includes Danerolles croissants and PLUS butter croissant dough.
  • Check each product for sourdough information and preparation requirements; the category alone won’t tell you.

Lidl

Lidl is a starting point for oven-fresh croissants you can check in store.

  • Lidl lists a multiseed croissant as an in-store product and provides ingredients and allergen information for its oven-fresh range.
  • Multiple seeds don’t confirm that a product is sourdough; check the details for the specific croissant.

ALDI

ALDI lists both individual butter croissants and dough to bake at home.

  • This lets you compare a ready-to-eat option with a product you prepare yourself.
  • For the product you choose, check separately whether sourdough is mentioned and how it needs to be prepared.

Croissants at Joybuy

This selection includes a g'woon croissant whose product information mentions ‘wheat sourdough’. Check this claim on the current label, and read the preparation instructions before breakfast at your holiday home.

g'woon Butter Croissants, pack of 4, 180 g

g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

If you’re specifically looking for a sourdough croissant, the ‘wheat sourdough’ mention in the product information is a reason to take a look at this option; confirm the claim on the packaging.

Check whether the croissants need to be baked and what equipment you’ll need.

The product information lists cereals containing gluten, milk, lupin, sesame and soya as allergens. If you have allergies, check the current label.

The product information also warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may affect children’s activity and attention.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a butter croissant automatically a sourdough croissant?

No. Butter tells you about an ingredient, not how the dough was leavened. Check whether the packaging or product page for the specific croissant mentions sourdough or a starter.

What should I look for when checking allergens in croissants?

Read the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen and check for any information about possible cross-contamination. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens that must be declared have to be clearly listed in the ingredients; for cereals containing gluten, the type of grain must also be identifiable.

Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the product category. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory, so check the ingredients list for the croissant you choose.

Can I buy enough croissant dough for the whole holiday week in advance?

That depends on the use-by date and storage instructions for the dough you choose. For AH Verse original croissants, Albert Heijn says to store them at a maximum of 7 °C, prepare them immediately after opening and not freeze them at home; don’t assume these instructions apply to other dough.

Can I prepare bake-at-home croissants without an oven?

Some products include air fryer instructions, but this isn’t the case for every croissant. Before buying, check whether the packaging says you can prepare the croissants using the equipment in your holiday home.