Mini croissants chocolate are more than just a cute breakfast option, they’re a buttery, flaky indulgence filled with rich, gooey chocolate that satisfies every sweet tooth. In this article, we’ll explore what makes these pastries so beloved, how to make them at home, and answer common questions like “Are mini croissants unhealthy?” or “Where can you buy the best ones?” Whether you’re a croissant connoisseur or just chocolate-obsessed, you’ll leave here ready to bite into your next buttery delight. We’ll even compare them to other filled pastries like the trendy croffle and show you how to make the best version in your kitchen.
Why I Bake Mini Croissants Chocolate at Dawn
My Chocolate-Filled Morning Ritual
Hi, I’m Marlene Quinn, 43, baking from my cozy kitchen in Mendocino, California. Every morning, the ocean breeze rolls in while I prep dough for mini croissants chocolate, those buttery, chocolate-filled pastries that have become my morning meditation. My starter Clementine bubbles on the counter, and the scent of melting chocolate drifts from the oven. For me, baking isn’t about perfection, it’s about joy. Especially when it includes chocolate.
Years ago, I tried to impress a date with a homemade boule. It was a brick. But I was smitten, not with the guy, but with the process. Since then, I’ve leaned into the flaky, layered art of croissants. Chocolate croissants, especially the mini ones, felt like the perfect challenge: precision meets decadence. I now teach others to make them in our workshops at Marlene & Crumb, where we host bake-alongs and yes, sometimes even poetry readings about bread.
The Mini But Mighty Allure
So why do people love mini croissants chocolate so much? For starters, they’re easier to snack on than a full-sized pain au chocolat. Their petite size makes them ideal for brunch platters, school lunches, or just a guilt-free indulgence. Pair them with coffee and you’ve got a Parisian breakfast moment right at home.
They’re also versatile. Some are made with classic dark chocolate batons; others feature creamy Nutella-style spreads. In fact, the variation we developed using our easy croissant sourdough bread recipe has quickly become a reader favorite.
Still, people ask: Are mini croissants chocolate unhealthy? That depends on how you make them, and we’ll cover that soon. But when done right, they can be part of a balanced treat menu. Just ask the fans of our ham and cheese croissant calories guide.
Print
Mini Croissants Chocolate , 7 Best Tips & Delicious Guide
- Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
- Yield: 16 mini croissants 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini croissants chocolate are buttery, flaky, and filled with rich dark chocolate. Perfect for brunch, snacks, or dessert, this homemade version is crisp, golden, and irresistibly indulgent.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup cold unsalted butter (for lamination)
1 egg (for egg wash)
4 oz dark chocolate batons or chunks
Instructions
1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add water and milk, knead into soft dough.
2. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out and laminate with cold butter (3 folds, chilling between each).
4. Roll into a rectangle and cut into small triangles.
5. Add chocolate to each, then roll tightly into mini croissants.
6. Proof croissants until puffy (1 hour).
7. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush with egg wash.
8. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and puffed.
Notes
Use high-quality dark chocolate for best flavor.
Make sure butter stays cold during lamination.
Freeze unbaked croissants for future quick treats.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: mini croissants chocolate, chocolate filled croissants, pain au chocolat

How to Make Mini Croissants Chocolate at Home
Crafting the Perfect Dough
Making mini croissants chocolate from scratch may sound intimidating, but it’s completely doable with a little prep and patience. The key to success? Cold butter, proper lamination, and giving the dough time to rest. Start with a basic yeasted dough and layer in high-quality European-style butter. It’s this layering that creates the signature flakiness everyone loves.
You’ll want to roll and fold the dough several times, this process is called lamination. Chill between each fold. Then cut small triangles, add a piece of dark chocolate or a spoonful of chocolate spread, and roll them tightly from base to tip. That little curl at the end gives them their classic crescent shape.
Want to skip straight to the chocolate part? Our readers loved the shortcut version in our croissant sourdough bread viral guide, which uses a hybrid method for fast flaky layers.
Use dark chocolate batons or even chopped chocolate bars with a high cocoa content. This isn’t the time for chocolate chips, they don’t melt quite the same way. If you’re wondering what type of chocolate for croissant works best, stick to 60–70% cacao for rich but balanced flavor.
Baking Tips and Calorie Considerations
When baking, preheat your oven to 375°F and give your mini croissants a final egg wash for that golden finish. Bake until puffed and deeply golden, usually 15–20 minutes.
Worried about the numbers? On average, mini chocolate croissant calories land around 150–200 each, depending on butter and chocolate type. That’s not bad for such a decadent treat. Compare that to calories in Costco croissant, and you’ll see why homemade wins for portion control.
If you’re tracking details, here’s a basic breakdown:Component | Calories (Avg) |
---|---|
Dough (Butter & Flour) | 110 |
Chocolate Filling | 60 |
Total per Mini Croissant | 170 |
Looking to make it healthier? Swap regular butter with plant-based alternatives or try a sourdough base using our sourdough discard recipes. You can even reduce sugar content by using unsweetened dark chocolate.
Coming up next, we’ll look at how store-bought mini croissants chocolate compare to homemade, and if those Sam’s Club or Costco options are worth your dough.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade: Which Mini Croissants Chocolate Win?
What Are Those Chocolate Croissants Called?
Before we dive into store-bought options, let’s clear up some terminology. People often ask, “What are those chocolate croissants called?” In French, they’re known as “pain au chocolat.” Unlike traditional croissants, they’re usually rectangular and layered around chocolate batons. But mini versions are often curled like true croissants, especially in the U.S.
So while the terms chocolate filled croissants and pain au chocolat are often used interchangeably, the mini version is usually crescent-shaped, perfect for snacks, parties, or brunches.
Now, let’s talk store-bought.
Are Sam’s Club or Costco Options Worth It?
If you’re not up for baking, it’s tempting to grab a tray from your local warehouse club. But are they worth it?
Does Sam’s Club sell mini croissants? Yes, and you’ll often find chocolate varieties in their bakery section. They’re soft, convenient, and very affordable in bulk. However, reviews on flakiness vary. Some say they’re more like a sweet roll than a true croissant.
Does Costco carry chocolate croissants? Absolutely. And they’re quite popular. Their version is larger than your average mini croissant, but fans love the gooey chocolate center and buttery texture. Still, one Costco chocolate croissant can pack over 320 calories, making it double the calories in a small chocolate croissant made at home. That’s a bite of indulgence worth savoring, but maybe not daily.
Looking for other store-bought varieties? Check out the almond croissant at Hannaford, another flaky favorite for those who enjoy nutty-sweet fillings.
If your goal is mini chocolate croissant calories you can control, homemade is the clear winner. But when convenience calls, warehouse options do deliver on flavor, even if not always on authentic texture. Still unsure? Try both and let your taste buds decide. Just don’t forget your coffee!
Creative Ways to Serve Mini Croissants Chocolate
Elevate with Simple Garnishes
Mini croissants chocolate are delicious on their own, but with a few quick additions, you can elevate them into something truly stunning. Start by dusting with powdered sugar for a café-style finish. For brunch boards or dessert spreads, serve them warm with a side of whipped cream, jam, or fresh berries. Want to go luxe? Drizzle melted chocolate over the tops and sprinkle with sea salt or crushed hazelnuts.
Hosting brunch? Pair them with fruit, coffee, and a savory pastry like those in our mini croissants guide for a balanced spread. You can even offer a “croissant bar” with different chocolate dipping sauces, think dark, milk, and white.
Need ideas for the kids? They love them with a glass of cold milk, or dipped in warm cocoa for a cozy treat. At Marlene & Crumb, we once served them with homemade strawberry compote at an open-mic night. Huge hit.
Reinventing Leftovers into Dessert Magic
Have day-old mini croissants chocolate? Don’t toss them, transform them. Slice and layer in a baking dish for a rich croissant bread pudding. Pour over a custard mix (eggs, cream, vanilla) and bake until golden and jiggly. It’s a no-fail way to wow guests, and a top pick on our chocolate chip croissant sourdough bread spin-off.
You can also slice leftover croissants and toast them for use in parfaits or sundaes. Think: warm croissant pieces layered with ice cream, caramel, and whipped cream.
Or, flatten and fill with marshmallow and banana slices, then bake briefly. You’ve got yourself a chocolate croissant s’more situation.
Want a savory break? Repurpose plain ones into mini sandwiches, just like we did with our ham and cheese croissant recipe. Just make sure they’re not chocolate-filled first!
Mini croissants chocolate are endlessly versatile, from the first bite to the last crumb. Whether you’re baking fresh, buying in bulk, or reinventing leftovers, these little pastries deliver major joy.

Flaky Joy, One Bite at a Time
Mini croissants chocolate are more than just a pastry, they’re a moment of indulgence. Whether you bake them from scratch using high-quality ingredients or grab a convenient box from the store, there’s something magical about buttery layers and melty chocolate. From brunch spreads to midnight snacks, they offer versatility, comfort, and just enough sweetness to make any day better.
Homemade versions let you control everything, from the type of chocolate to the size and calories, while also offering a beautiful chance to slow down and bake something worth sharing. And if you ever need a little inspiration, just head back to our mini croissants post or our easy sourdough croissant recipe.
Happy baking. And don’t forget, mistakes are part of the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are those chocolate croissants called?
They’re traditionally called pain au chocolat in France. Mini versions are sometimes crescent-shaped and referred to as mini chocolate croissants, especially in American bakeries.
Are mini croissants unhealthy?
They can be part of a balanced diet if eaten in moderation. A homemade version averages 150–200 calories, especially when you control the chocolate and butter content. Compared to oversized store-bought versions, homemade offers better portion control.
Does Sam’s Club sell mini croissants?
Yes. Sam’s Club offers chocolate mini croissants seasonally and in bulk. They’re sweet and soft, though not always as flaky as homemade ones.
Does Costco carry chocolate croissants?
Absolutely. Costco’s chocolate croissants are popular for their rich center and large size, but be mindful, they can exceed 300 calories each. If you’re watching your intake, this might be more of a weekend treat.