
Sometimes the best culinary discoveries happen by accident. Instead of rolling traditional croissants from packaged dough, what if you simply sliced that buttery tube into rounds?
That’s exactly the delightful twist behind croissant broodjes — a creative way to transform ordinary croissant dough into something wonderfully different.
These little bread rounds become crispy on the outside while staying soft and airy inside. It’s like getting the best parts of a croissant without all the fussy rolling and shaping.
Plus, they bake evenly, which means no more worrying about whether your croissant centers are fully cooked!
What Makes Croissant Dough Special for Bread Rolls?
The magic lies in that pre-made croissant dough’s buttery layers. When you slice it instead of rolling it, each piece gets those beautiful laminated layers exposed on the sides. As they bake, the butter creates steam that puffs up the dough, giving you incredibly light and flaky results.
Many store-bought croissant doughs are actually vegan-friendly too. Brands like Albert Heijn, Aldi, Jumbo, and Lidl offer plant-based versions in their refrigerated sections. This makes the recipe accessible whether you follow a vegan diet or not.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
- 1 tube of vegan croissant dough
- 2 tablespoons plant-based milk
That’s it! Just two simple ingredients create these delicious bread rolls. The plant milk gives them a beautiful golden finish when they bake.
How to make Croissant broodjes?

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 200°C (392°F). This high heat helps create that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Step 2: Slice the Dough
Remove the croissant dough from its packaging. Instead of unrolling it, cut the entire tube into 6 equal slices. Here’s a helpful tip: cut the roll in half first, then divide each half into 3 equal pieces. This ensures uniform sizes that will bake evenly.
Step 3: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the dough rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give them some space — they’ll puff up as they bake.
Step 4: Brush with Plant Milk
Using a pastry brush, gently coat the tops and sides of each round with plant-based milk. This creates that gorgeous golden-brown finish and helps them develop a lovely crust.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Slide them into your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until they’re beautifully golden brown. The exact timing depends on your oven, so keep an eye on them after the 12-minute mark.
When Should You Serve These Bread Rolls?
Croissant broodjes shine brightest when served warm from the oven. They’re perfect for weekend brunches, especially when you want something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
The crispy exterior and soft interior make them ideal vehicles for both sweet and savory toppings.
They also work wonderfully for casual dinner parties. Guests always seem impressed by the flaky texture and buttery flavor, never guessing how simple they were to make.
You can prepare them in the morning and pop them in the oven just before serving.
Tips
The key to perfect croissant broodjes lies in not overthinking them. Use a sharp knife to cut clean slices — this prevents the layers from getting squished together.
If your dough seems too soft to slice neatly, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up.
Watch the oven closely during the last few minutes of baking. These little rounds can go from perfectly golden to overdone quite quickly.
If they’re browning too fast, you can tent them lightly with foil.
Don’t skip the plant milk wash — it’s what gives them that bakery-perfect appearance. Any plant milk works, but oat milk tends to give the richest color.
What Are the Best Topping Combinations?
The beauty of croissant broodjes lies in their versatility. For a hearty option, try layering hummus, fresh tomato slices, scrambled tofu, avocado, and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning.
The combination of creamy, fresh, and savory elements works perfectly with the buttery bread.
Sweet options work just as well. A smear of vegan cream cheese with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup transforms them into an elegant breakfast treat.
Or keep it simple with jam and a dollop of coconut yogurt.
For something more substantial, these bread rolls make excellent sandwich bases. Split them horizontally and fill with your favorite sandwich ingredients — they hold up beautifully to heavier fillings thanks to their sturdy yet tender texture.
The crispy outside provides a lovely textural contrast to soft fillings, while the airy interior soaks up flavors without becoming soggy.
This makes them particularly good with saucy or juicy toppings that might make regular bread fall apart.

Croissant broodjes Recipe
Description
These Dutch-inspired Croissant Broodjes are a delightful and easy-to-make sandwich, perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or snack. Featuring a golden, buttery croissant filled with a savory mixture of ham, Gouda cheese, and a creamy, herb-infused filling, then baked until the cheese is perfectly melted. Simple yet incredibly satisfying, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. -
Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth and well blended. -
Stir in the minced garlic, chopped parsley, and chives. Mix until the herbs are evenly distributed. Set the filling aside.
-
Assemble the Broodjes
Cut each croissant in half lengthwise. Place the bottom halves on the prepared baking tray. -
Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture onto the bottom half of each croissant.
-
Layer slices of ham and Gouda cheese on top of the filling. Place the top half of the croissant back on to form a sandwich.Gently press down to secure the layers.
-
Bake
Brush the tops of the assembled broodjes lightly with olive oil. This helps them turn a beautiful golden brown. -
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the croissants are golden and the cheese is fully melted.
-
Serve
Remove the broodjes from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Enjoy them warm and gooey!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 broodje
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 480kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 28g44%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Trans Fat 0.5g
- Cholesterol 75mg25%
- Sodium 950mg40%
- Potassium 220mg7%
- Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 18g36%
- Calcium 280 mg
- Iron 3.0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Croissant choice: Use fresh, high-quality croissants for the best flavor and texture. Day-old croissants can be revived in the oven.
- Cheese variations: Gouda is traditional, but you can substitute with Edam, cheddar, or a smoked cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Meat options: Try roast beef, turkey, or even a vegetarian option like grilled vegetables.
- Herb swap: If you don't have fresh chives, use more parsley or a little dill.
- Make ahead: Assemble the broodjes up to a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated. Add the olive oil and bake just before serving.
- Storage: Best served fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, but the croissant will lose its crispness.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore some crispness.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with a simple green salad or a bowl of soup for a complete meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-sliced cheese and ham?
Yes, absolutely. Pre-sliced deli meats and cheese work perfectly for this recipe and make the assembly process even quicker.
Can I make these ahead of time and freeze them?
It's not recommended to freeze the assembled broodjes as the texture of the croissant and filling can become compromised. It's best to assemble and bake them fresh.
Why brush with olive oil?
Brushing the tops with olive oil helps the croissants achieve a beautiful, golden-brown crust in the oven. You can also use melted butter for an even richer flavor.
Can I make mini versions?
Definitely! Use mini croissants and smaller slices of ham and cheese to make bite-sized appetizers, perfect for parties.