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!
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.
That's it! Just two simple ingredients create these delicious bread rolls. The plant milk gives them a beautiful golden finish when they bake.
Set your oven to 200°C (392°F). This high heat helps create that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
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.
Place the dough rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give them some space — they'll puff up as they bake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 broodje
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.