Who is this choice relevant to?

Home baker who prefers sourdough

You fancy a warm croissant late in the evening and don’t mind baking it at home. Before you buy, check the label to see whether sourdough is actually listed as an ingredient.

Shopper who wants to eat straight away

You don’t have time to bake at home. A fresh bakery croissant could be just the thing, provided the shop is still open and the product is available.

Label-conscious shopper

You want to check the ingredients, allergens, portion size or nutritional information. For a packaged croissant, check the label; for an unwrapped one, ask for the product information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sourdough is a must-have or whether being able to eat your croissant straight away matters more. Then compare the preparation method, allergens and nutritional information for the specific product.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important to?
Sourdough Look for sourdough in the ingredients list. PLUS Butter Croissants 180 g also lists yeast, wheat and spelt; don’t assume that the mention of sourdough tells you how the croissant was made. If sourdough is a deciding factor for me, I want to see it on the label rather than judge by the croissant’s appearance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this check.
Time and availability Check whether the croissant is ready to eat or needs baking. If you’re shopping late, check the store’s opening hours and whether the product is available at that time. For a late-night snack, I want to know whether I can eat it straight away or still need to bake it at home. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quick availability or preparation.
Allergens Read the allergen information for the option you choose. The PLUS croissant mentioned contains wheat, spelt and milk; for an unwrapped croissant, ask for the product information. If I need to avoid wheat or milk, I want to check the ingredients in this particular croissant. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this check.
Portion and nutritional value Compare the portion size with the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per portion. Pay attention to the details that matter to you, such as saturated fat and salt. When I have one croissant as a snack, I want to know how big the portion is and what its nutritional value is. Around 14% of consumers consider this the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means it was made using traditional methods

    The ingredients list for PLUS Butter Croissants 180 g includes both sourdough and yeast. It doesn’t tell you how long the dough was fermented or how it was made.

    Use the label to check whether sourdough is present. If the production process matters to your choice, ask the manufacturer for specific details.

  • Assuming a sourdough croissant is gluten-free

    The PLUS option mentioned contains wheat and spelt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, both are gluten-containing grains.

    If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, choose a product explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the allergen information for that product.

  • Assuming a product contains iodised salt based on its category

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. The PLUS option does list iodised salt, but that tells you nothing about other croissants.

    For a packaged product, check the ingredients list; for an unwrapped croissant, ask which type of salt was used.

  • Counting on a late-night purchase without checking the store

    Opening hours don’t tell you whether fresh croissants will still be available at that time. Lidl also states that opening hours vary by store.

    Check the store on the day you plan to shop. If you’d rather not rely on a late-night shop, pick up a croissant in advance that you can bake at home.

Relevant brands to compare

A brand’s range or sourdough products don’t automatically tell you anything about the ingredients in an individual croissant. So compare the product information for the option you want to buy.

PLUS

PLUS Butter Croissants 180 g are an oven-ready option whose ingredients list includes wheat and spelt sourdough.

  • The product information also lists yeast, butter and iodised salt, so you can check these ingredients before buying.
  • The mention of sourdough alone doesn’t prove that the croissants were made using traditional methods or a long fermentation.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers, among other things, frozen butter croissants — a product you can stock up on and bake later.

  • The range includes different types of croissants, including frozen options.
  • Check the ingredients on each pack if sourdough is a must-have.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers several types of croissants, as well as a separate range of sourdough bread.

  • When choosing between croissants, you can compare the product type and ingredients.
  • Sourdough bread in the same range doesn’t prove that a croissant contains sourdough.

Dirk

Dirk offers both individual butter croissants and oven-ready options.

  • The different product types let you choose between eating straight away and baking at home.
  • If you prefer sourdough, check the ingredients for the option you choose.

ALDI

ALDI offers fresh butter croissants individually, for anyone who wants to eat one straight away.

  • Buying croissants individually makes it easy to choose the number you want.
  • Check the ingredients and availability in store if they’re important to your choice.

Lidl

If you’re planning a shopping trip, Lidl’s store information is useful: opening hours vary by location.

  • You can check the opening hours of the store you’re planning to visit in advance.
  • Spelt sourdough bread in the range tells you nothing about the ingredients in a croissant.

Croissants on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a croissant made with sourdough automatically made using traditional methods?

No. PLUS Butter Croissants 180 g lists wheat and spelt sourdough, as well as yeast. The ingredients don’t prove how long the dough was fermented or how it was prepared.

How long should PLUS butter croissants be baked for?

According to PLUS product information, bake this option for 4–6 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 °C, or for 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the croissants you actually buy.

Is a sourdough croissant gluten-free?

Not just because sourdough is listed. The PLUS croissant mentioned contains wheat and spelt, which the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says contain gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, check that the specific croissant is explicitly labelled as gluten-free.

Do croissants always contain iodised salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. PLUS lists iodised salt in its 180 g butter croissants; check the label or ask the seller about other options.

Can I still buy a fresh croissant late in the evening?

It depends on the store and what’s available when you visit. Check the local opening hours, and don’t assume that an open shop will still have fresh croissants. An oven-ready option bought earlier gives you another way to enjoy a late-night snack.