Who are these options relevant to?

Snack planners looking for sourdough

You want to choose a croissant made with verifiable sourdough and butter for breakfast or a snack during the autumn half-term. To do so, check the ingredients or ask the baker about the specific product.

If you want to bake them just before serving

You want to serve warm croissants to family or guests. The difference between part-baked croissants and dough that still needs shaping determines how much preparation you’ll need to fit into your plans.

If you need to check allergens

You want to know which ingredients and allergens a croissant contains before buying it. For a packaged product, check the current label; for an unwrapped croissant, ask about possible cross-contamination too, if necessary.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide between eating them straight away, baking them briefly or shaping them yourself; then check whether sourdough is specifically mentioned for each croissant. A sourdough reference doesn’t rule out yeast: according to the product information, PLUS’s butter croissants contain both ingredients.

Bakery croissant

When: If you want a sourdough croissant with a product-specific description, such as the butter and sourdough croissant for which BRodijnen specifies its own sourdough starter.

Trade-off: That baker’s description doesn’t automatically apply to croissants from other bakeries; ask about the ingredients and allergens for each product.

Part-baked croissants

When: If you want to bake croissants just before serving; the PLUS product reviewed lists wheat and spelt sourdough.

Trade-off: According to PLUS, the same product also contains yeast, so it can’t be described as made with sourdough alone.

Fresh croissant dough

When: If you want to shape the croissants together or choose your own filling.

Trade-off: Shaping and baking take more preparation than baking part-baked croissants; if sourdough is a deciding factor for you, check for it separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Verifiable sourdough Look for sourdough in the ingredients or product-specific description. Check whether yeast and butter are listed too. I want a croissant for my holiday breakfast that is verifiably made with sourdough, not just one from an artisan-looking bakery counter. Around 31% of consumers would choose verifiable sourdough as their main reason for buying.
When you’re serving them Check whether you’re buying part-baked croissants or fresh dough, and follow the preparation and storage instructions for that option. If several people are eating together, I want to serve the croissants warm just before we eat, without having to shape the dough first. For around 25% of consumers, when the croissants are served would be their top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information; for unwrapped croissants, ask about the ingredients and possible cross-contamination if necessary. Before I buy an unwrapped croissant, I need to be able to find out which allergens it contains. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise clear, verifiable information about ingredients and allergens.
Portions and preparation Compare individual croissants with packs containing several, and check how each option needs to be prepared. For a spontaneous snack, I want to be able to choose one croissant; for a group, the quantity needs to suit the occasion. For around 19% of consumers, planning portions would be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a croissant displayed next to sourdough bread for a sourdough croissant

    Albert Heijn presents croissants and OerDesem bread in the same bakery section. That doesn’t make the croissants themselves sourdough products.

    Check the ingredients list or the description for that specific croissant. If yeast is listed alongside sourdough, don’t assume the croissant has been raised using sourdough alone.

  • Skipping the allergen check for a croissant that looks simple

    The PLUS butter croissants reviewed list wheat, spelt and milk, among other ingredients. Ingredients and information about possible cross-contamination can vary between products.

    For packaged croissants, read the current label. Before buying an unwrapped croissant, ask about allergens and, if necessary, possible cross-contamination.

  • Planning for part-baked croissants and fresh dough in the same way

    Part-baked croissants just need to be baked; with fresh dough, you also need to shape the croissants. The two options therefore require different amounts of preparation.

    Choose the product type to suit when you plan to eat them, and follow the baking time and storage instructions on the packaging for your chosen option.

    With fresh dough, you’ll also need to set aside time to shape the croissants.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt

    Baker’s salt is iodised salt used in bakery products, but you can’t assume it’s present in every individual croissant.

    Check the ingredients list or ask the seller which salt was used in that specific product.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn features croissants and OerDesem bread in its bakery range.

  • A useful option if you’re looking for croissants and sourdough bread in one shop.
  • Displaying them together doesn’t confirm that the croissants are made with sourdough.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers several types of croissant, including a plant-based option.

  • You can compare the product types and ingredients of each option.
  • The word ‘croissant’ in a product name doesn’t prove that it contains sourdough.

PLUS

PLUS offers the part-baked butter croissants reviewed, as well as a separate product containing fresh butter croissant dough.

  • According to PLUS, the part-baked croissants contain 25% butter and wheat and spelt sourdough.
  • The ingredients for those croissants also include yeast. Fresh dough requires separate preparation and, according to the product information, must be prepared and eaten immediately after opening.

Lidl

Lidl offers individual butter croissants as well as croissants to bake at home.

  • You can choose between an individual croissant and a product to bake at home.
  • Check the ingredients for each option if sourdough matters to you.

ALDI

ALDI offers fresh butter croissants individually.

  • An individual croissant is a good fit for an instant snack.
  • Don’t assume this croissant contains sourdough unless the product-specific ingredients information confirms it.

Dirk

Dirk offers individual butter croissants and a Délifrance frozen option containing several croissants.

  • The two product types suit different portion sizes and serving plans.
  • Check separately whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients for the option you choose.

Croissants on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a croissant is really made with sourdough?

Check the ingredients list or description for that specific croissant for sourdough. For example, PLUS’s part-baked butter croissants list wheat and spelt sourdough, but also yeast; so the mention of sourdough doesn’t mean that no yeast has been used.

Can I cook part-baked croissants in an air fryer?

Yes, if the instructions for the croissants you’ve chosen include air-fryer cooking. PLUS gives air-fryer instructions for the part-baked croissants reviewed; follow the directions on the packaging for the exact option you’ve bought.

Can I ask about allergens in an unwrapped croissant?

Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses must inform customers about allergens present in their products. Before buying an unwrapped croissant, ask for this information and, if necessary, about possible cross-contamination.

What’s the difference between fresh croissant dough and part-baked croissants?

You still need to shape and bake fresh croissant dough; part-baked croissants just need to be baked according to the product instructions. For the fresh dough reviewed, PLUS says to keep it chilled and prepare and eat it immediately after opening.

Does a croissant automatically contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that. The Dutch definition of baker’s salt refers to iodised salt for bread and other bakery products; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. Check the ingredients for a specific croissant or ask the seller.