National Croissant Day

National Croissant Day History

National Croissant Day, honours the flaky pastry that has captivated taste buds worldwide. Known for its buttery and layered texture, the croissant has become a widely popular indulgence that graces bakery shelves throughout the United Kingdom. The observance encourages individuals to sample and appreciate the various forms and flavours of this delectable delight, such as plain, almond, chocolate, or even filled with savoury goods.

Though the croissant is often associated with France, historical accounts suggest its origin may trace back to 17th century Austria, where a circular-shaped pastry called "kipferl" gained popularity. The croissant eventually journeyed beyond Austria's borders and garnered attention in the United Kingdom. UK residents are no strangers to the joy of indulging in a warm croissant, and the flaky pastry has found its place alongside traditional English delicacies like scones and crumpets. National Croissant Day aims to remind the people of the United Kingdom of this delightful treasure and to reconnect with the international roots of their culinary palate.

In honour of National Croissant Day, bakeries and cafes across the United Kingdom take the opportunity to showcase their finest selection of croissants for customers to enjoy. From tantalizingly fresh-baked pastries to creative twists on the classic recipe, individuals can savour the diverse range of croissants available in their country. While the date for this observance varies from location to location, National Croissant Day is typically celebrated in the United Kingdom on January 30th.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 National Croissant Day in the UK

• The upcoming National Croissant Day on 30 January is set to trigger significant interest across the United Kingdom, particularly regarding the surprising historical fact that the croissant was the very first French food item ever recorded to have arrived on British soil, dating back to 1829.
• Despite its deep association with Parisian café culture, many people in the United Kingdom are likely to search for its true origins in 17th-century Austria, where it began as a denser, brioche-like pastry known as the kipferl before being refined by French bakers into the flaky viennoiserie we recognise today.
• Culinary historians often highlight the legendary tale from the 1683 Battle of Vienna, where bakers supposedly created the crescent shape to mock the emblem of the Ottoman Empire after helping to thwart a subterranean siege.
• Modern viral trends are expected to drive high search volumes for architectural variations such as the Le Cube—a perfectly square, cream-filled version that originated in London’s Mayfair—and the circular Supreme Croissant which has become a social media sensation across British cities.
• Recent industry reports from British Baker indicate a "Croissant Revolution" in the United Kingdom, with research showing that a staggering 93% of British croissant buyers now consume the pastry at least once a week.
• Innovation in British bakeries has led to the rise of the "crookie," a decadent hybrid of a croissant and a chocolate chip cookie, as well as the 18-inch "giant croissant" which contains over 3,000 calories and has become a popular "bucket list" food item for UK influencers.
• While the traditional all-butter variety remains a staple, the United Kingdom is seeing a surge in demand for savoury croissandwiches and global fusion flavours, such as the pistachio and raspberry combinations found in the food halls of Harrods.
• The technical process of laminating the dough—which involves repeatedly folding layers of high-quality butter to create the signature honeycomb interior—remains one of the most searched-for baking challenges for home cooks during this observance.

In the News and Trending in the UK for National Croissant Day

Top things to do in the UK for National Croissant Day

• Visit a bakery and try some delicious croissants. There are sweeter pastries and some with ham or cheese in them. The bakery may even have a special deal that they're offering in celebration of National Croissant Day.
• Explore croissant recipes. There are recipes for sweeter dessert croissants and there are some that make breakfast well worth it.
• Visit a French Bakery: London has several authentic French patisseries, for example Maison Bertaux, Maison Puget or Paul Bakery.
• Buy ingredients to bake your own Croissants