The Impossible Dream – A Gluten-Free Croissant


Gluten Free Croissants III, originally uploaded by A Gluten Free Guide.

 

Croissants and ravioli are two foodstuffs I wrote off after being diagnosed with Celiac. I have vivid taste memories of the fresh croissants I ate while visiting friends in Paris and the plates of perfectly dressed ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese I enjoyed for years. I didn’t see ANY gluten-free prepared alternatives and the amount of effort required to make my own seemed unwarranted. So I went along my merry way, only briefly mourning the loss.

Loyal readers may remember that I recently had the opportunity to eat delicious gluten-free ravioli from Everybody Eats. Well, now my gluten-free options are once again expanding. That’s right – I ate a gluten-free croissant!

I had heard rumors for two years about gluten-free croissants existing in France. But no one had actually ever seen or eaten the elusive gluten-free delicacies. Well, recently Amazon.com started offering gluten-free food items imported from France, including the heretofore impossible to find gluten-free croissant. With shipping, my order totaled $14, but the mere possibility of enjoying a croissant was worth the risk.

I invited my steadfast gluten-eating friends Emily and Carlee to help me taste the baked goods. Our final analysis – not bad. Now these are not something I would buy if suddenly I could eat gluten again, but they definitely satisfied a craving that had been lingering.

 

 

The croissants come five to a package, vacuum-sealed for extended freshness.

 

They are not as light as a fresh croissant, but they are pretty similar to Pilsbury crescent rolls in consistency and size.

 

Once heated, you can really see and taste the butter used to make them flaky and rich. These are not a low-calorie treat by any stretch of the imagination.

 

They won’t make it onto my regular shopping list, because my waistline and pocket book couldn’t withstand the hit. But I am glad I tried them and will order again when the craving strikes.

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Sea said,

June 28, 2007 @ 1:47 am

How amazing is this! Croissants really ARE the impossible dream- how exciting that you found these. I’ll put them on my wish list, and daydream about croissant and cafe au lait!

-Sea

http://www.bookofyum.com

Mike Eberhart said,

June 28, 2007 @ 2:16 am

I certainly used to appreciate an occasional croissant. Those are definitely interesting. One of these days I’ll try to get around to creating a homemade version (or, should I say, have my wife give it a try – she’s the expert with breads). In the meantime, it’s nice to know options are out there.

Lucy said,

June 28, 2007 @ 1:35 pm

We’ve tried a few gluten free croissants available commercially, and always been very disappointed – but we haven’t tried the Valpiform ones, so perhaps these are better. They certainly look convincing.

Mike, please try to develop a recipe for croissants … we tried making pains au chocolat (along the lines of rough puff pastry) but they didn’t really rise. My daughter liked them – but then, she’s never eaten real croissants or pains au chocolat, and doesn’t know what they should taste like.

Slacker Mom (aka Mrs. GF) said,

June 28, 2007 @ 6:02 pm

Looks great.

I recently treid gluten free croissants in Ireland, by Dietary Specials, but they were not flaky.

These look flaky…thanks for the tip!

Allergic Girl said,

June 29, 2007 @ 12:45 pm

amazing looking product. i wonder if everybody eats would attempt it…

Lea Ray said,

June 29, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

These look wonderful. I love chicken salad on croisants and has been one of the foods I have really missed. Thanks for the review.

Kelly said,

June 29, 2007 @ 10:24 pm

Whoa! Great find![drool]

Nicole said,

July 2, 2007 @ 1:52 pm

Thanks for the tip. They were out of stock on the plain ones so I ordered the chocolate ones which are a different shape. I hope they are as good!

Karen said,

July 4, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

You’re kidding- I had no idea these even existed! Ty\hanks for the heads up.

Nicole said,

July 17, 2007 @ 1:57 am

I just ate the chocolate croissant! It was delicious! I warmed it up in the toaster oven on 325 for about 10mins & the outside was actually flaky!!! Best GF thing I’ve eaten-most like the real thing. Worth every penny & every calorie! Thank you, TY, TY ad infinitum.

Jerin said,

July 20, 2007 @ 5:03 am

Congrats on your find! :) You’ll have to make a trip to Paris to have some fresh ones one day. I’m glad to have found you online Cat!

Catherine said,

July 20, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

Sorry for the late response everyone – had a bit of a “blog vacation.” But I’m back and ready to go. Nicole – I’m glad you enjoyed them. I just wish they weren’t quite so calorie-dense.

Rene said,

November 6, 2009 @ 8:29 pm

Odd thing about the internet – sometimes things pop up years later… So here I am in 2009 and it’s the first I’ve heard of GF croissants. The Amazon.com link doesn’t work, and I can’t find it searching their site. This being the start of the dreaded holiday season, I really could use a little pick-me-up, like one of these treats I’ve been missing for the several years since my diagnosis. Please let me know the brand so I can try to find it somewhere…

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