Breakfast lovers short on time
You want to prepare croissants on a working day without a long morning routine. In that case, the product format, baking time and ingredients of a part-baked croissant are important.
Who are these options for?
Fans of traditionally made sourdough
You’re looking for a croissant whose baker explains how they use sourdough and butter, and how it’s made. Whether a visit to the bakery fits into your morning is another factor to consider.
Shoppers looking for plant-based sourdough croissants
You want a plant-based croissant made with sourdough, and you also check the baking instructions and listed allergens. Plant-based doesn’t, by itself, mean gluten-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
A supermarket product, a croissant from a sourdough bakery and a plant-based part-baked option each call for different considerations on a weekday morning.
Part-baked supermarket croissant
A good fit if: you want to fit in a short, clearly stated baking time. Albert Heijn says its butter croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C.
The trade-off: according to Albert Heijn, these croissants contain both sourdough and yeast, so they’re not an example of dough risen with sourdough alone.
Croissant from a sourdough bakery
A good fit if: the method described matters more to you than having a set baking routine. BRodijnen says its butter sourdough croissant is made with its own sourdough starter and left to rise slowly.
The trade-off: you’ll need to visit the bakery, so check when the croissants are available.
Plant-based part-baked sourdough croissant
A good fit if: you’re looking for a plant-based croissant made with sourdough. Hofweb describes its organic vegan sourdough croissant as a product that needs only a short time in the oven.
The trade-off: according to the product information, this option contains cereals containing gluten.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Check whether the croissant is ready to eat or needs baking, and find out what oven and preparation time are required. | I want to know how long breakfast will take before work or school. For around 46% of consumers, predictable preparation may be the main reason for buying. |
| Sourdough and method of preparation | Check whether yeast is used as well as sourdough, and what the baker says about proving and butter. | If I’m going to a bakery for a sourdough croissant, I want to know how the dough was made. For around 36% of consumers, this traditional craft may be the priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | For a plant-based option, check the cereals and allergens. If you have questions about the salt used, check the ingredients or ask the seller. | For my plant-based choice, or if I have questions about allergens, I want to know exactly what the croissant contains. Label information may be the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means no yeast
A mention of sourdough doesn’t rule out added yeast: Albert Heijn lists both ingredients in its butter croissants.
Read the ingredients list if you’re specifically looking for a croissant with no added yeast. Treat a baker’s statements about their method as a description of their own product.
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Assuming the salt is iodised
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. The words ‘organic’ or ‘sourdough’ don’t tell you what kind of salt a croissant contains.
For a packaged product, check the ingredients. For an unwrapped croissant, ask what kind of salt has been used.
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Confusing plant-based with gluten-free
The organic vegan sourdough croissant described by Hofweb contains, among other things, wheat, spelt and barley malt flour.
Check the allergen information for the specific croissant. If it’s sold unwrapped, ask for this information before buying.
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Leaving it until you get home to read the baking instructions
A part-baked croissant will only fit into your morning if you have the right oven and enough time.
Before buying, check the product format, oven temperature and preparation time on the packaging.
Brands and bakeries to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes packaged, part-baked butter croissants that list sourdough as an ingredient.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists four croissants and a baking time of 4–6 minutes at 200 °C.
- The ingredients also include yeast, so ‘with sourdough’ doesn’t mean ‘without yeast’ here.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a croissant range that includes butter, plant-based and frozen products.
- The range makes it easy to compare different product formats.
- Check the ingredients of each croissant if sourdough is a must-have for you.
Van der Westen Organic
This organic plant-based sourdough croissant is designed to be baked at home.
- The product description says it’s a plant-based croissant made with sourdough.
- The product information lists several cereals containing gluten.
BRodijnen
BRodijnen describes its butter sourdough croissant as being made with its own sourdough starter and left to rise slowly.
- The baker explains its own method of preparation.
- The description of the flavour and method comes from the baker, not from an independent product comparison.
Fort Negen
Fort Negen describes its croissants as hand-rolled and laminated with butter.
- The bakery shares information about how it hand-rolls and laminates its croissants.
- This description doesn’t confirm that the croissants themselves are made with sourdough; ask if that’s a deciding factor for you.
Croissants at Joybuy
These packaged butter croissants are one option to consider for a weekday breakfast. If you’re looking for sourdough, check the ingredients, and read the preparation instructions before choosing them for a quick morning meal.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
For anyone looking for a packaged croissant for breakfast and wanting to check that the ingredients and preparation suit their needs before buying.
The pack contains 4 croissants and weighs 180 g. Check the label to see whether sourdough and yeast are listed, which allergens apply and how to prepare the croissants.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘made with sourdough’ mean a croissant contains no yeast?
No. Albert Heijn lists both sourdough and yeast in its butter croissants. If yeast matters to you, read the ingredients list of the product you want to buy.
How long do Albert Heijn’s butter croissants need in the oven?
Albert Heijn says its part-baked butter croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C. For a different product, follow the instructions on its packaging and remember to allow time for the oven to preheat.
Does every croissant contain iodised bakers’ salt?
No, you can’t assume that. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients of a packaged croissant, and ask about an unwrapped one.
How can I find out which allergens are in an unwrapped croissant?
Ask for the allergen information for that specific croissant before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unwrapped food must provide information about 14 allergens and specify which cereals are involved when the product contains cereals with gluten.