Who this suits

Small households buying one or two breakfasts

For parents or carers who want an occasional croissant breakfast without opening a large pack. Waitrose lists both an individual all-butter croissant and a two-croissant pack.

Parents managing wheat or gluten requirements

For families who need to distinguish standard wheat-based croissants from a specifically labelled wheat-free option, while still checking for milk and egg ingredients.

Families packing food for an early-years setting

For carers who need to check the setting’s own food and allergen policy rather than assuming a croissant is suitable. Department for Education guidance applies to food provided by early-years providers in England.

What to check before buying

Start with the number of croissants you can use, then check the label and whether the pastry fits the occasion.

Priority What to check Your needs
Pack format Check the number of croissants in the pack. For larger packs, confirm freezing instructions, storage space and preparation time. For one breakfast, I want to avoid opened-pack leftovers. A single item or two-pack can suit immediate use; a four-pack makes more sense when it will be shared or frozen.
Allergens Read the current ingredient list and allergen statement for wheat or gluten, milk and egg. Check any precautionary statement too. I need the exact product label to match the child’s requirements. A wheat-free croissant can still contain milk and egg.
Breakfast role Look at saturated fat and salt per item, and consider what else will be served. Do not use adult reference-intake percentages as child portion guidance. I am choosing an occasional pastry within a varied breakfast, rather than treating one croissant as a complete everyday meal. Department for Education guidance for England advises avoiding sweet and savoury pastries high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

Common buying pitfalls

  • Treating a croissant as a complete everyday toddler breakfast

    Department for Education guidance for England advises avoiding sweet and savoury pastries high in saturated fat, salt and sugar. The reviewed croissants also list notable saturated-fat amounts per item, while label reference-intake percentages are for adults.

    Use a croissant occasionally as part of a varied breakfast, and do not use adult RI percentages as a toddler serving recommendation.

  • Assuming all-butter means allergy-friendly

    The standard products reviewed contain wheat or gluten, milk and egg, and some carry nut or trace-nut information. A wheat-free product may still contain milk and egg.

    Read the exact current pack label and precautionary allergen statement each time, then choose only a product suitable for all relevant allergens.

  • Buying a larger multipack without a plan for the remainder

    A large pack can leave unused pastries when only one toddler breakfast is needed. Tesco states that its four-pack is suitable for freezing, while Waitrose lists one- and two-item formats.

    Start with a single croissant or two-pack for immediate use. Choose a four-pack only when you will share it or freeze it according to the product instructions and date.

Relevant brand references

Waitrose

Waitrose lists an individual fresh all-butter croissant and a No.1 two-croissant pack, making it relevant when a small household needs a lower-quantity format.

  • The individual product is listed as one serving, while the No.1 pack contains two croissants.
  • Both reviewed products contain wheat or gluten, milk and egg; the two-pack may contain nuts. Waitrose advises checking the label because recipes can change.

Tesco

Tesco lists standard and Finest all-butter croissants in four-packs, including a standard pack with frozen preparation instructions.

  • Tesco states that its standard four-pack is suitable for freezing and can be prepared from frozen.
  • The reviewed four-packs contain wheat or gluten, milk and egg, and their pack size may not suit a one-off breakfast unless the remainder will be used or frozen.

M&S

M&S lists a Made Without Wheat all-butter croissant for shoppers who specifically need a wheat-free or gluten-free product.

  • M&S describes this product as gluten-free and suitable for freezing.
  • Its ingredients include butter, pasteurised egg and milk. M&S advises reading the current label because composition and allergen information can change.

Lidl

Lidl lists an individual all-butter bakery croissant, which may suit a household looking for one item rather than a multipack.

  • The individual format can be useful when only one croissant is needed for immediate use.
  • Lidl lists milk, wheat and egg as allergens, alongside several possible trace allergens, and advises checking the ingredients label.

Joybuy product options

Joybuy product options for an occasional croissant breakfast where frozen storage and oven preparation are practical.

Pret A Manger Butter Croissants 330g

Pret A Manger Butter Croissants 330g

Frozen croissants for an occasional planned breakfast when oven preparation is practical.

330g pack. Bake from frozen in about 20 minutes.

Contains wheat or gluten, milk and egg; may contain nuts, sesame and soya. Check the pack count, preparation directions and current allergen label before buying for a small household.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does every croissant contain gluten?

No. The reviewed standard Waitrose and Tesco all-butter croissants contain wheat or wheat gluten. M&S lists a Made Without Wheat all-butter croissant as gluten-free, but it still contains milk and egg, so check the current pack rather than relying on the category name.

Can I send a croissant to nursery or school?

Check the individual setting’s food and allergen policy first. Standard croissants reviewed contain declared allergens including wheat, milk and egg, and some products include nut or trace-nut information; Department for Education guidance also applies to meals, snacks and drinks provided by early-years settings in England.

Is a four-pack practical for one toddler breakfast?

It can be practical only if the remaining croissants will be shared, used soon or frozen according to the product instructions. Tesco states that its reviewed four-pack is suitable for freezing and provides oven instructions for cooking from frozen.

Can adult reference-intake percentages tell me the right toddler portion?

No. Tesco states that its reference-intake percentages are based on an average adult. Use the nutrition label to compare products, but do not treat adult RI percentages as toddler portion guidance.