For those seeking a morning indulgence beyond a simple coffee, a croissant offers a touch of luxury. While popping to Greggs or Pret may seem convenient, keeping a stash of croissants at home can be more economical and practical for feeding a hungry household. However, choosing a supermarket's own brand can feel like a gamble, so we've done the hard work for you.
The Quest for the Best Supermarket Croissant
Surprisingly, the winning croissant is not from Waitrose or Marks & Spencer, the most expensive options. The victor comes in at just 58p each, matching the quality of Greggs (£1.75) and Pret (£2.70) while being significantly cheaper. We sampled croissants from M&S, Waitrose, Aldi, Sainsbury's, and Tesco to find the best balance of price and taste. Criteria included oven reheating performance, flaky pastry, interior bite, rich buttery flavour, and portion size.
Marks & Spencer – £5.20 (two four-packs)
M&S croissants had a good flavour profile, flaky and slightly chewy when warmed. At 65p each, they were cheaper than Pret but lost height in the oven. They do not offer an eight-pack, requiring purchase of two four-packs.
Tesco – £2.60 (eight-pack)
Tesco's own brand were lacklustre at 32p each. They are very small and lack flavour. While they fare well in the oven, they are suitable only as a side plate for feeding a crowd, not worth repurchasing.
Waitrose – £4.75 (eight-pack)
Waitrose croissants are almost perfect—fluffy with a soft, buttery flavour. They flake well in the oven but go a bit flat and lose airiness. At 59p each, they compare to Greggs but have less bite and become squishy. For non-pastry snobs, they taste practically the same.
Sainsbury's – £2.25 (eight-pack)
Sainsbury's croissants have a slightly better texture than Tesco's at 28p each, with a flakier, crispier outside but still lack amazing flavour. In the oven, they become more bread-like, which is not ideal for a croissant.
Aldi – £4.70 (two four-packs)
Aldi's croissants were practically perfect: flaky, soft, fluffy, with a crispy outside. At 58p each, they are cheaper than M&S and Waitrose. The pastry was as good as Pret's for a fraction of the price. They were the most generously sized with the richest, buttery flavour. In the oven, they kept their shape and texture, providing a perfect indulgent, puffy bite every time. Aldi does not offer an eight-pack, so two four-packs are required.
Final Rankings
Tesco comes last due to lack of flavour and small size. Sainsbury's follows for similar reasons—fine but incomparable to others. M&S and Waitrose were close contenders, but M&S lost shape when warmed and was significantly more expensive. Aldi is the clear winner for its superior taste, texture, and value. I will certainly be returning to Aldi's aisles for breakfast entertaining.
