In the culinary world, croissants are a revered standard for gauging the quality of a pastry chef’s skill. But for those of us without patisserie prowess, store-bought varieties are a welcome convenience. With options ranging from your local bakery to frozen aisles in supermarkets, choosing the best pre-made croissant can be overwhelming. To cut through the clutter, we reached out to three esteemed pastry chefs, seeking their expertise on which store-bought croissant reigns supreme. Surprisingly, despite their diverse backgrounds and palates, all three agreed on one clear winner: Trader Joe’s All Butter Croissants.

Chef Emma Liu of San Francisco’s “Le Puff” describes them as “exceptionally buttery with a flawless flaky texture that rivals those made in-house.” New York-based pastry chef Michael Hernandez of “Dolceria” concurs, noting that they “offer a near-authentic Parisian experience thanks to their rich flavor and perfect lamination.” The final vote came from Chef Pierre Gallant of Montreal’s “Petite Douceur,” who admitted that while no store-bought variety could ever match the craftsmanship of a freshly baked croissant from his kitchen, Trader Joe’s version is “impressively close.”

Each chef pointed out that the secret seems to be in the preparation; these croissants require proofing overnight before baking. This extra step allows the dough to rise at its own pace, creating airy layers that puff up into golden perfection once baked. While this does mean you have to plan ahead when you want to enjoy them, the chefs agree it’s worth the wait.

The consensus is clear: even among professionals who could easily craft these pastries from scratch, Trader Joe’s All Butter Croissants stand out for their quality and convenience. They may just be the next best thing to visiting a French bakery and serve as a testament to how far store-bought options have come. Whether enjoyed plain or with a dollop of jam and coffee on a leisurely morning, these croissants offer a slice of indulgence without needing to break out your mixing bowls and rolling pins.