By Phoebe Cornish

Copyright walesonline

Lidl has remained a long-standing favourite of mine as it delivers precisely what its slogan promises: “Big on Quality, Lidl on Price .” Whilst some fresh produce may not boast the longest shelf life, Lidl continues to be a dependable go-to choice – even though Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Aldi are equally convenient from my home. My weekly shopping routine invariably includes wandering through the bakery section for fresh loaves and selecting croissants as a weekend indulgence – especially when Lidl Plus rewards offer a complimentary item. The appeal lies in their perfect texture: beautifully crisp and flaky exterior encasing a wonderfully soft, pillowy interior. A single buttery crescent paired with Greek yoghurt, fresh fruit and seeds creates a delightful little indulgence on a bright Sunday morning. However, there’s one drawback: I frequently purchase the croissants a day or two before eating them. Reheating them in my air fryer—even with a careful sprinkle of water—never recreates that fresh-from-the-oven feel; the exterior becomes somewhat tough, while the centre loses its softness. To be fair, an air fryer functions as a worktop convection oven, excellent for crisping, but it’s hardly a time machine for delicate layered pastry. I experimented with various temperatures and timings, yet nothing could replicate the texture of freshly baked croissants. Everything transformed when I discovered the long-life croissants hidden away in the frozen section, as suddenly I could enjoy fresh-baked pastries whenever I desired – and nothing beats that wonderful fragrance. They appear modest in the tray but expand during baking to something approaching a full-sized bakery croissant, eliminating the need for a last-minute dash to the shops. The result is golden, shatteringly flaky croissants with all the appeal of bakery ones, plus the bonus of price. An All Butter Croissant from the Lidl bakery is typically 59p, while frozen works out to about 35p each (£2.79 for 8), making the frozen option significantly cheaper per item. The frozen croissants are easy to bake, given that the packaging includes both oven and air-fryer instructions. I’ve got an air fryer oven rather than a basket, so I go off-script: 180C, no preheat, middle shelf, 18 minutes. Fellow croissant connoisseurs will be pleased to know that there is no difference in taste. The two baked products taste identical, though the frozen versions take the edge on freshness and texture. When the listed ingredients for the fresh and frozen croissants are compared, the only clear difference is the addition of whey powder in the fresh bakery ones. Surprisingly, the frozen version has a fairly basic list of ingredients, with no mention of vegetable oils or emulsifiers. The fresh croissants do list emulsifiers as an ingredient, correct of January 2024. It’s not just croissants that come in frozen form, either. Shoppers can buy pain au chocolat for the same price as an 8-pack of croissants (£2.79). Of course, Lidl isn’t alone in offering fresh bakery products. Several other retailers also sell fresh pastries, but none beat Lidl on its low price of just 59p per croissant.