Lidl's frozen croissants have been found to rival and even surpass their fresh bakery counterparts in taste and texture, while also being more affordable. A typical all-butter croissant from Lidl's bakery costs 59p, whereas the frozen version is priced at approximately 35p each (£2.79 for an eight-pack).
The discovery came when a shopper, frustrated by the inability to restore day-old fresh croissants to their original quality using an air fryer, turned to the frozen aisle. The frozen croissants, which start small but expand during baking, produce a golden, flaky result that matches the freshness of a just-baked pastry.
According to the shopper, the frozen croissants are identical in flavour to the fresh ones but have an edge in freshness and texture. The main ingredient difference is the addition of whey powder in the fresh bakery croissants, while the frozen version contains no vegetable oils or emulsifiers, unlike the fresh ones which list emulsifiers as of January 2024.
The frozen croissants come with baking instructions for both oven and air fryer. For air fryer ovens, the recommended settings are 180°C, no preheat, middle shelf, for 18 minutes. Lidl also offers frozen pain au chocolat at the same price.
Lidl's bakery prices are competitive compared to other supermarkets, with individual items often cheaper. The frozen croissants provide a convenient and cost-effective alternative for those seeking high-quality pastries without the need for a last-minute supermarket trip.
