Are you committing this cardinal croissant sin? Our etiquette expert weighs in.
Are You Eating Croissants the Wrong Way? According to an Etiquette Expert, You Might Be
Published on Nov. 12, 2024
Croissants are the ultimate overachievers of the culinary world. They could have just been bread—yet another bland dinner roll in a floury lineup—but no. They had to show off, ascending the gluten pyramid to become flaky, buttery, delicious works of art. But they’re also the most challenging of all the breads to eat. After all, who hasn’t taken a big bite only to have the confection explode into a confetti of flakes? They’re the only food that somehow makes you feel both fancy and like you need a napkin intervention at the same time.
That’s because you’re eating it wrong—at least according to a viral TikTok video made by British etiquette expert William Hanson. In just 20 seconds Hanson manages to highlight all the etiquette mistakes people make when eating a croissant, explain the correct way to eat one and insult the French. His video ruffled some feathers stateside too, inspiring a lot of rebellion in the comments as people eschewed etiquette rules and resolved to eat their favorite bread any way they liked.
But from an etiquette standpoint, is there really a correct way to eat a croissant? After all, it’s a pastry, not a PhD dissertation. And does croissant-eating etiquette differ in America versus England? We asked Elaine Swann, a U.S.-based expert on food etiquette rules, to answer these questions and more. (We reached out to Hanson for comment, but he declined the interview—politely, of course!) Read on to find out the right way to eat a croissant.
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What’s the big etiquette mistake that people make when eating croissants?
We hate to break it to you, but croissants belong with coffee, not in coffee. That’s right: Both Hanson and Swann agree that you shouldn’t dip your croissant into your coffee, hot chocolate or any other beverage. Hanson repeats “We don’t do that” twice in his viral TikTok video, leaving little room for misinterpretation.
@williamhansonetiquette The croissant is made from butter, so no need to put more on top! #dining #etiquette #williamhanson ♬ You Sexy Thing (Single Version) – Hot Chocolate
Swann is a little gentler, but she stands by the etiquette rule. “We don’t recommend dipping croissants in a liquid because of physics,” she says. “They’re very delicate and get soggy very quickly. Then, the soggy chunks fall into your drink, which is messy and can look gross.”
She adds that even if you do manage to dip it quickly enough to get it to your mouth before it disintegrates, it’s still an etiquette mistake. “We generally don’t recommend dipping any bread into a cup of any liquid, as it can drip all over you and the table,” she says.
Is it bad etiquette to put butter on your croissant?
Butter is one of the main ingredients in croissants, so Hanson says it’s a faux pas to add more. “Remember, no butter for croissant,” he explains. “It’s just jam or marmalade.”
If that pronouncement puts a damper on your breakfast, you’re not alone. The internet response was clear: Folks love butter on their croissants. So does Swann. “Life is short! If you love butter and want to put more on a croissant, live your life,” she says. “This is a taste issue, not an etiquette issue.”
That said, good table manners dictate the correct way to butter a croissant: If there is a serving dish of butter, you should use your butter knife, scoop a single serving of butter and put it on your bread plate. Then pull a bite-sized piece off of your croissant and butter the piece before putting it in your mouth. “Don’t saw the croissant in half and butter it like a piece of toast,” she adds.
What other condiments can you put on croissants?
While Hanson is adamant that jam and marmalade are the only acceptable additions, Swann says there’s a much wider range of what’s acceptable in the United States. Jam, honey, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar, cream cheese and fruit sauces are all OK. “Honestly, eat whatever the heck you want on it,” she says. “Personally, I love a croissant breakfast sandwich with all the toppings.”
As you may have noticed from your own trial and error, some of these toppings are quite sticky and hard to spread, so the technique you’d use for butter won’t work. In this case, resist the urge to drizzle the sauce over the entire croissant and instead put a serving of the sauce onto your bread plate and lightly dip the bite-sized piece of croissant into it. While you don’t need utensils to eat a plain croissant, Swann says using a fork might be handy in sticky situations to keep your fingers clean.
Can you use your fingers to eat a croissant?
You’ll need to use a butter knife or fork to add condiments, but beyond that, “croissants are finger foods,” Swann says. However, that doesn’t mean you can just pick one up and chomp it. Not only is that a surefire way to accessorize your outfit with croissant crumbs, but it’s also poor etiquette.
“Pick up the croissant and use your fingers to pull it apart,” she explains. “It’s bread that’s made to unravel, so it will come apart easily. Then break off a bite-sized piece and eat it.”
There is one big croissant-eating no-no that Swann says everyone needs to steer clear of. “Do not lick your fingers after picking up a croissant or piece of a croissant,” she says. “It’s gross and unhygienic. Use your napkin!”
What is the correct way to eat a croissant?
If it’s starting to sound like eating a croissant is a complicated process, that’s because the experts have thrown a lot of info at us. But when you break it down, devouring your favorite French treat—without breaking etiquette rules—is pretty easy. To sum up both Hanson and Swann’s tips:
- Use your fingers.
- Pull it into bite-sized pieces. Do not pick it up and bite it.
- Place condiments on your bread plate rather than using straight from the communal dish.
- Use your butter knife to add condiments to your croissant one bite at a time.
- Do not dip it into a drink.
The most important piece of advice: Enjoy it! “Savor every bite of that delicious croissant,” Swann says. “Food is meant to be enjoyed.”
Follow these expert tips, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying this culinary masterpiece—without decorating your shirt in pastry flakes. And if anyone questions your technique, just tell them you’re embracing the art of je ne sais croissant.
About the expert
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who specializes in etiquette and communication for Reader’s Digest. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Elaine Swann, etiquette expert and founder of The Swann School of Protocol; phone interview, Nov. 8, 2024
- @williamhansonetiquette on TikTok
