Which option is right for you?

Breakfast fans who care about flavour and texture

If butter and flaky layers are top of your list, compare the ingredients and preparation method of the specific product. A premium-sounding name alone won’t tell you how a croissant will taste.

Breakfast fans short on time

If you don’t want to bake at home on a working day, a fresh croissant from the shop is a different choice from a bake-off product. Bake-off varieties still need cooking, while frozen ones also require you to plan for storage and baking time.

Shoppers comparing portion sizes and labels

If the size of your breakfast or the ingredients matter to you, check the weight per croissant, nutritional information and allergens. Albert Heijn lists its premium butter croissant as weighing 90 g each; Jumbo lists a pack of four bake-off croissants with a total weight of 180 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how much preparation you’re happy to do in the morning. Then compare the labels and weights of products with the same preparation method.

Fresh croissant from the shop

Ideal for: breakfast when you don’t want to use the oven at home.

Bear in mind: how fresh it is and whether it’s available when you visit the shop.

Bake-off croissant

Ideal for: a warm croissant when you have time for a quick bake.

Bear in mind: preheating and the appliance specified on the packaging.

Frozen croissant

Ideal for: a breakfast you can plan ahead for, with a supply in the freezer.

Bear in mind: freezer space and the preparation and storage instructions for your chosen product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Flavour and butter Read the ingredients and compare any stated butter percentage alongside the preparation method and size. A percentage isn’t a flavour rating. If I’m choosing a butter croissant mainly for its flaky texture, I want to know what’s in it without treating a premium name as a guarantee of flavour. For around 42% of consumers, flavour is the most important factor.
Time and planning Check the baking time, preheating requirements and storage instructions. PLUS says its bake-off butter croissants take 4–6 minutes in an oven at 200 °C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C. On a working day, I want to know whether I can eat straight away or need to switch on an appliance and wait. Around 33% of consumers put time and planning first.
Portion size and label Compare the weight per croissant and the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. If you have allergies, check the current ingredients and allergen information. When a croissant is part of my regular breakfast, I want to be able to assess the quantity and ingredients in that one piece. Portion size and labelling are the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Judging nutritional value by the word ‘premium’

    A premium-sounding name won’t tell you how much one croissant weighs or what its nutritional values are. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 5 g of saturated fat and 0.53 g of salt, among other values, for an average 45 g croissant. These figures aren’t the label values for a different brand or size.

    Compare the weight per croissant and read the nutritional information for the one you want to buy.

  • Choosing a frozen croissant without allowing time to bake it

    A short morning routine doesn’t always leave time to bake straight from frozen. For example, PLUS says its Délifrance butter croissants take 18 minutes in the oven at 185 °C, with no need to defrost them first.

    Check the instructions on your pack. If there isn’t time for that, choose a fresh option or one that takes less time to bake.

  • Comparing packs as if every croissant were the same size

    Four bake-off Jumbo butter croissants weigh 180 g in total, while Albert Heijn’s premium butter croissant weighs 90 g as a single item. The preparation methods also differ.

    Check the number of croissants, the total weight and the weight per croissant before comparing portions.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. Brood.net says that using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement.

    Check the ingredients list for the specific product if the type of salt used matters to you.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

AH’s Premium Butter Croissant is a single-item shop product weighing 90 g.

  • Albert Heijn lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this product, including 25% butter.
  • Albert Heijn advises customers to check the packaging because product information may change; the product is listed as available in-store only.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers both bake-off butter croissants and premium frozen butter croissants.

  • The bake-off pack contains four croissants with a total weight of 180 g; Jumbo lists the premium frozen variety as four portions of 71 g.
  • The portion sizes and preparation methods differ. Compare nutritional values on the same weight basis and check the instructions for each variety.

PLUS

PLUS offers bake-off butter croissants and a premium frozen butter croissant.

  • For the bake-off variety, PLUS gives oven and air fryer instructions, as well as ingredients and nutritional values.
  • PLUS says its premium frozen croissant takes 20–25 minutes in an oven at 165 °C with steam. Check whether that suits your morning routine.

Dirk

Dirk offers a fresh butter croissant weighing 65 g each and a 1 de Beste bake-off pack of four with a total weight of 180 g.

  • The size and preparation method let you choose between eating one straight away and baking it at home.
  • Check the current packaging for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen variety.

ALDI

ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant as an in-store option.

  • The in-store option doesn’t need to be prepared at home.
  • Check the product information in-store if ingredients, allergens or nutritional values will affect your choice.

Lidl

Lidl offers a butter croissant that’s only available in-store.

  • Lidl lists butter as an ingredient in this croissant.
  • Check the label in-store for the current ingredients and nutritional information.

Croissants on Joybuy

These two packs of g'woon butter croissants can be compared by size and weight. Before buying, check the packaging if the preparation method, nutritional values per portion or allergens matter for your weekday breakfast.

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

An option if you’re looking for mini croissants for breakfast; the pack lists a total weight of 200 g. Check the preparation instructions, nutritional information per 100 g or per portion, and the current allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy
g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

A pack for anyone who wants to serve four individual croissants at breakfast; the total weight is 180 g. Check how to prepare them, and read the nutritional information per 100 g or per portion, along with the current allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a croissant with more butter automatically taste better?

No. A stated butter percentage tells you about the ingredients, not how it tastes. Albert Heijn lists 25% butter for its premium butter croissant, while PLUS lists 24% for its premium croissant. The products may also differ in recipe, size and preparation method, so compare the type of croissant and how you want to prepare it too.

Can I refreeze a frozen croissant once it has defrosted?

Not if the instructions for your product say not to. Jumbo says its premium frozen butter croissants must not be refrozen after defrosting, and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours. Always check the storage instructions for other products.

Which allergens should I check in a butter croissant?

Check the allergen information on the specific pack you’re buying. The products described list wheat or cereals containing gluten, as well as milk; some varieties also list egg. If an allergen matters to you, don’t rely on the product name.

Is iodised baker’s salt required in Dutch croissants?

No. Don’t assume that every Dutch croissant contains iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt; Brood.net says that using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list for your chosen product if this matters to you.