Costco's Twice-Baked Croissants Don't Outshine Trader Joe's Version, According To Shoppers - Tasting Table

"Not a fan. I'd buy the frozen ones from TJ's over these every time. Others added that the pastry is not worth the calories. While some customers do enjoy Costco's chocolate croissants, Trader Joe's version is iconic. It's essentially a classic pain au chocolat with flaky dough wrapped around semisweet Belgian chocolate."

"With perfectly crisp pastry and a melty filling, shoppers think they're better than chocolate croissants from bakeries, even those in France. One user on Reddit said, 'They have ruined all other chocolate croissants for me,' while a Facebook commenter wrote, 'We always serve them for guests and get raving reviews.'"

"One shopper on Reddit noted that the croissants are 'not that great, the chocolate is not really flavorful, and it was kind of gummy-textured on the inside.' TJ's croissants are frozen while Costco's are sold fresh, but shockingly, this doesn't give Costco the advantage."

Costco and Trader Joe's both offer popular store-brand baked goods with devoted followings. Costco's new Kirkland Signature Twice-Baked Chocolate Croissants, launched in February 2026, feature chocolate filling and coating with powdered sugar. However, customer reviews reveal disappointment with the texture and chocolate flavor. In contrast, Trader Joe's frozen chocolate croissants, essentially pain au chocolat with semisweet Belgian chocolate, receive widespread praise for their crispy pastry and melty filling. Customers report TJ's croissants rival or exceed bakery-quality versions, even those from France. Trader Joe's also offers better value at approximately $1.50 per croissant compared to Costco's pricing. The superior taste likely stems from Trader Joe's baking process, particularly their proofing technique.

Read at Tasting Table