A dedicated Lidl shopper has made a discovery that's changing the way budget-conscious Brits buy their pastries, revealing she'll never purchase the supermarket's popular bakery croissants again after finding a superior frozen alternative.
The Lidl Bakery Habit
For many UK shoppers, Lidl's in-store bakery is a weekly ritual, offering the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods at impressive prices. The retailer's all-butter croissants have long been a weekend treat for this particular shopper, especially when combined with Lidl Plus rewards that occasionally offer complimentary items.
The appeal of the 59p bakery croissants lies in their perfect texture - crispy, flaky exteriors giving way to wonderfully soft and airy centres. Paired with Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit, they create an ideal Sunday morning indulgence.
The Game-Changing Discovery
However, the shopper identified a significant drawback with the fresh bakery option. "I frequently purchase the croissants a day or two ahead of consuming them," she explained. Attempts to revive them using an air fryer, even with careful sprinkling of water, never successfully recreated that freshly-baked quality, leaving the exterior tough and the interior lacking fluffiness.
The solution emerged in Lidl's frozen aisle, where she discovered an 8-pack of frozen croissants for £2.79 - working out to approximately 35p per croissant compared to the bakery's 59p individual price. This represents a substantial saving for regular croissant lovers.
Superior Results and Simple Preparation
The frozen croissants might appear modest in their packaging but expand dramatically during baking to achieve full bakery size. The packaging includes instructions for both conventional ovens and air fryers, though the shopper developed her own perfect method using an air fryer oven: 180°C, no preheat, middle shelf, 18 minutes.
The result? "Golden, shatteringly flaky croissants that rival those from a bakery," with the added advantage of being freshly baked on demand. The shopper confirms there's no difference in taste between the fresh and frozen baked versions, though the frozen option actually delivers superior freshness and texture when prepared at home.
An examination of ingredients revealed another advantage - the frozen croissants contain a fairly basic list without vegetable oils or emulsifiers, while the fresh bakery version includes whey powder and emulsifiers (correct as of January 2024).
Lidl also offers frozen pain au chocolat for the same £2.79 price as the 8-pack croissants, providing additional options for pastry enthusiasts.
When compared to other supermarkets, Lidl's bakery croissant at 59p significantly undercuts competitors including Tesco (£1.20 for a single), Sainsbury's (88p each in a 2-pack), and Waitrose (£1.30 single). Even accounting for multipack discounts elsewhere, Lidl's frozen option at 35p represents exceptional value.
This discovery means shoppers can enjoy fresh-baked croissants whenever the craving strikes without making urgent supermarket dashes, while saving money and achieving better texture than reheated bakery items.
