Which option is right for you?

If you specifically want sourdough

You want to know whether the croissant actually contains sourdough or sourdough starter. Check the ingredient information or ask the baker; a buttery or artisan-looking croissant doesn’t tell you either way.

If you want to serve them warm

You want to put the croissants on the table just before serving the pea soup. A bake-at-home option lets you control the timing, provided you have the time and oven space and can follow the cooking instructions.

If you want to compare labels

You want to check allergens, portion size or nutritional values before buying. Use the information for the croissant you’ve chosen: average values per croissant won’t necessarily match that particular product.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether confirmed sourdough or serving the croissants warm matters more to you. Then check the packaging and product information to make sure there’s enough for everyone.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sourdough Look for an explicit mention of sourdough or sourdough starter; if buying loose croissants, ask about the ingredients. If I specifically want sourdough, I won’t choose an ordinary butter croissant as a substitute without confirmation. For around 40% of consumers, verified sourdough comes first.
Serving warm Check whether the croissants need baking and follow the cooking instructions. When the pea soup is ready, I want to be able to bake the croissants just beforehand. Around 30% of consumers prioritise serving them warm.
Buying for a group Check the number of croissants in the pack and the allergen and nutrition information for the product you’ve chosen. When I’m buying for several people, I want to know how many croissants to get and what product information is available. For around 30% of consumers, practicality is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘butter’ or ‘luxury’ means sourdough

    Butter tells you about an ingredient, not how the dough was made. A croissant that looks artisan doesn’t automatically contain sourdough either.

    Only make sourdough a deciding factor if it’s listed in the product information or the seller can confirm it.

  • Choosing a croissant to eat straight away when you plan to serve it later

    If you want to serve the croissants warm with your soup, the preparation time will affect your plans.

    Choose a bake-at-home option if you have the time and oven space just before your meal, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

  • Treating average nutrition values as the product’s label

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives values for an average croissant, but notes that nutritional values can vary by brand.

    For the croissant you’re buying, compare the portion size, salt and saturated fat on the packaging. Check allergens separately.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt

    The 2008 agreement on baker’s salt and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment’s general information about bread don’t establish which type of salt is used in an individual croissant.

    If this ingredient matters to your choice, check the packaging or ask the seller.

Brands and shops to explore

These examples can help you compare different product types. Check the ingredients for each croissant individually to see whether sourdough is listed.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s range includes fresh, butter, mini, frozen and bake-at-home croissants.

  • Different product types to compare by packaging and cooking instructions.
  • The product type doesn’t tell you whether the croissant you choose contains sourdough.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes butter, plant-based, frozen and bake-at-home croissants.

  • Bake-at-home and frozen options are useful if you want to choose when to prepare them.
  • Check the ingredients separately if sourdough is your main reason for choosing a croissant.

Lidl

Lidl describes croissants for baking at home and also offers butter varieties.

  • The bake-at-home option lets you serve croissants freshly prepared at home.
  • Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens listed for your chosen product.

ALDI

ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant.

  • An option for anyone who wants to serve croissants without baking them at home.
  • The word ‘butter’ doesn’t confirm that sourdough was used.

PLUS

PLUS lists butter croissants among its bake-at-home products, alongside sourdough breads.

  • You can check the croissants’ cooking instructions if you want to serve them warm.
  • Sourdough in a bread from the same range tells you nothing about the ingredients in the croissants.

Dirk

Dirk offers loose butter croissants and Délifrance butter croissants.

  • Loose croissants and packaged varieties require different checks for portions and product information.
  • Don’t judge whether sourdough was used by the word ‘butter’ alone.

Croissants on Joybuy

This croissant may suit you if you’re mainly looking for a sourdough mention to go with your pea soup. Check the current ingredients and cooking instructions before choosing it to serve warm as well.

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

If you’re considering sourdough in your croissant, look for the ‘WHEAT SOURDOUGH’ wording on the current ingredients list.

According to the product name, the pack contains 4 croissants weighing 180 g in total. Ask about the preparation method and fermentation process if these will affect your choice, and check the allergens on the packaging too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a croissant contains sourdough?

Look for an explicit mention of sourdough or sourdough starter in the product information, or ask the baker. Words such as ‘butter’ and ‘fresh’ don’t confirm which fermentation method was used.

Can I ask about allergens in a loose croissant?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers of unpackaged food must provide information about 14 allergens. Ask for information about the specific croissant before buying.

Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume this of an individual croissant. The 2008 agreement on baker’s salt doesn’t list the ingredients of a specific product; the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment discusses iodised salt in bread in general terms. Check the ingredient information or ask the seller if this matters to your choice.

Which nutritional information is useful when choosing croissants to serve with pea soup?

Compare the portion size and nutritional information for the croissant you want to buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives the following values for an average 45 g croissant: 181 kcal, 5 g saturated fat and 0,53 g salt. The values for your brand or variety may differ.