Home

Butter-Free Croissants

17/11/2023

Croissants can also be prepared without the use of butter, by substituting it with other fats such as olive oil or margarine. Here’s a recipe for butter-free croissants:

Ingredients

  • 500 g of all-purpose flour (type 00)
  • 200 ml of lukewarm water
  • 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • 70 g of sugar
  • 1 packet of dry yeast (or 25 g of fresh yeast)
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 egg for brushing
  • Honey or powdered sugar for garnishing (optional)
  • Jam or chocolate for filling (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and add a little sugar to activate it. Let it rest for about 10 minutes, until a foam forms on the surface.
  2. Add the sifted flour, olive oil, the rest of the sugar, and a pinch of salt. Start kneading until you get a smooth and homogenous dough.
  3. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and work it for a few minutes.
  4. Form a ball with the dough and let it rise in a bowl covered with a damp cloth in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
  5. After rising, divide the dough into portions of 80-100 grams each. Roll out each portion into a triangle and, if desired, fill with a teaspoon of jam or a piece of chocolate at the base of the triangle.
  6. Roll up the triangles from the base towards the tip to form the croissants, and slightly curve the ends to give them the classic crescent shape.
  7. Arrange the croissants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.
  8. Let the croissants rise again for about 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
  9. Beat the egg and gently brush the croissants. If you prefer a sweet glossy layer, you can use diluted honey with a bit of water.
  10. Bake the croissants for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar if desired.

Fun Fact

Butter-free croissants are lighter and are a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or follow a vegan diet (substituting the egg with a mixture of water and oil for brushing). The choice of olive oil also gives a typically Mediterranean note to the final taste.

Butter-Free Croissants