I first shared a tutorial for homemade vegan croissants in a YouTube video in early 2017. It’s one of my most popular recipes, and over the years so many people have followed it with great success!
However, I also field a fair number of messages asking for help troubleshooting the recipe. This is totally understandable, since croissants are time-consuming and sometimes a bit finicky to make.
I created this step-by-step guide to give you the best chance at success with this classic French pastry made vegan. I’ve spared no detail and I’ve included plenty of images so that you can follow along if this is your first foray into homemade vegan croissants.
These croissants may be vegan, but they are so fluffy, flaky, buttery and delicious! They taste amazing lightly toasted and spread with fruit preserves, but I have to admit my favorite way to eat them is to make breakfast sandwiches with Just Egg, vegan sausage and cheddar.
Please don’t be intimidated. The recipe is a bit time-consuming but when broken down into steps, it’s completely manageable. I promise the time and effort will be well worth it when your entire house smells like a bakery.
Table of Contents
Timeline for Making Vegan Croissants
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you see all the instructions in a recipe for croissants, but don’t worry. It’s actually quite straightforward, and most of the time is spent waiting for the dough to rise or chill.
This recipe is actually very flexible — you can split the process over 2 or 3 days. Here is a super simplified timeline for each option.
Vegan Croissants (2-Day Timeline)
Day 1:
- Mix croissant dough.
- Rise until doubled at room temperature. (About 1 hour.)
- Transfer to fridge to rest. (2 hours.)
- Prepare butter slab.
- Laminate the dough by encasing the butter slab and performing TWO sets of folds: one single and one double fold. The dough will rest for 1 hour in the fridge after each fold.
- Rest the laminated dough overnight.
Day 2:
- Roll out the dough, cut and shape into croissants.
- Allow the shaped croissants to rise one final time.
- Bake and enjoy.
Vegan Croissants (3-Day Timeline)
Day 1:
- Mix croissant dough.
- Rise until doubled at room temperature.
- Transfer to fridge overnight.
Day 2:
- Prepare butter slab.
- Laminate the dough by encasing the butter slab and performing TWO sets of folds: one single and one double fold. The dough will rest for 1 hour in the fridge after each fold.
- Rest the laminated dough overnight.
Day 3:
- Roll out the dough, cut and shape into croissants.
- Allow the shaped croissants to rise one final time.
- Bake and enjoy.
Ingredients for Vegan Croissants
Bread Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour
The recipe as I’ve written it calls for bread flour, which has a higher gluten content than all-purpose flour. This provides more strength, elasticity and structure to the dough, contributing to a better rise and better oven spring. Most regular grocery stores stock bread flour, so I’d recommend using it if at all possible.
If you have all-purpose flour and vital wheat gluten in your pantry, you can also make your own high-protein flour that works great in bread recipes. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vital wheat gluten per every cup of flour. Whisk together and use like bread flour.
If you absolutely have to use all-purpose flour, you will probably need to add extra to achieve the right texture for the dough. You can reference the video or instructional photos below to see what that is. Add the extra flour one tablespoon at a time and incorporate fully before adding more.
Vegan Butter — Important Notes!
When I originally shared this recipe in 2017, pickings were slim in the realm of dairy-free butter. Luckily there are a few more options on the market now. I’ve found they all will lend slightly different results. My favorites are the Country Crock Plant Butter with Avocado Oil (which many popular grocery chains stock) and the Trader Joe’s Vegan Butter (get the one that comes in a block, not the one in the tub).
Personally I no longer recommend Earth Balance for these vegan croissants. In my opinion, Earth Balance does not taste like real butter! It has synthetic notes that really come through when there is this much butter in a recipe. (But everyone has different tastes — so if you know that you like the flavor, feel free to use it.)
You can also use the cultured vegan butter by Miyoko’s Creamery (which is a bit pricey more but tastes absolutely fantastic in this recipe).
In all cases, get the sticks of vegan butter or margarine whenever possible. The spreads that come in a tub usually contain extra water to make them more easily spreadable, which can throw off the consistency of the croissants!
Active Dry vs. Instant Yeast
The recipe as I’ve written it calls for active dry yeast, which is slightly less potent than instant yeast. Either variety can be used in this recipe as long as you adjust the measurement accordingly: every 1 teaspoon of instant yeast is roughly equivalent to 1 and 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast.
How to Make Vegan Croissants (with Photos)
Mixing & Kneading the Dough
I make all my bread recipes, including croissants, using a stand mixer. They can be made by hand as well; you’ll just need to apply a little extra elbow grease during the kneading process.
After proofing the yeast and combining all the ingredients, I like to mix with the paddle attachment until everything comes together (this takes under a minute). At this point, I switch to the dough hook and allow it to knead the dough for between 6-8 minutes. The dough starts out shaggy and becomes a smooth, elastic ball.
Rising and Cold Fermentation
Vegan croissants are not difficult to make, but they do require some planning ahead, since the recipe involves a lot of wait time. This allows the dough to develop strength and more complex flavor.
After mixing and kneading your dough, transfer it to an oiled bowl and let it rise on the counter until at least doubled in size. This will usually take about 1 hour, depending on the temperature in your kitchen. Tip: If you’re working in an especially chilly kitchen, you can create a warm proofing environment for your dough by preheating your oven on the lowest setting for one minute, then turning it off. Place your dough inside to rise.
Once the dough has risen, you’ll punch it down and fold it into a rectangle (to make it easier to roll out tomorrow). Transfer it to the refrigerator for at least 2 hours OR overnight. The cold fermentation delays the action of the yeast, resulting in a more complex flavor. It also allows more time for the development of the gluten structure and the full hydration of the flour.
Laminating the Dough for Flaky Layers
Lamination is the process of folding butter into dough several times to result in many thin alternating layers of dough and butter. This process is what gives the croissants their characteristic flaky, airy texture.
This is the point at which some people struggle, because the butter has to be at the right temperature and consistency. It has to be pliable enough that it can be rolled into thin layers and folded with the dough, but if it’s too soft it might melt into the other ingredients or ooze through dough and make a mess. (This has happened to me on a few occasions on particularly warm days.)
Take a large piece of parchment paper and fold it into a 6×6″ square. Place your butter inside the parchment square and fold the edges over to enclose it. Now you can use a rolling pin to pound and roll out the butter until it fills out the entire square. Keep rolling over it until you have a flat, even slab of vegan butter.
Place the butter slab in the fridge to chill.
After the dough has chilled for 2 hours or overnight, you will encase your butter slab in the dough. Roll the dough out to just slightly larger than twice the length of the slab, fold it over, and pinch the edges to seal thoroughly.
Now you will perform two sets of “turns,” or “folds,” in order to create many layers of butter in the dough.
First you will perform a single turn: Roll the dough out into a long rectangle, then fold in 3rds (like a letter). Rest the dough for 1 hour in the fridge. This will give the dough a chance to “relax,” so it will not resist being rolled out again. It will also keep the butter from becoming too soft.
Next comes a double turn: you will fold the edges of the dough into the center (like two doors), and then once more along the center (like a book). Now rest the dough in the fridge for another hour (or overnight, if you prefer).
Shaping Your Vegan Croissants
Working with half the dough, roll it out to just slightly longer than 20″ wide and 18″ tall (as pictured above). Working with a very sharp knife, trim the left and right edges. (It’s important to work with a sharp knife if you want those beautiful flaky layers to be visible on the outside of the croissant. A dull knife tends to squish the layers together.)
Then you will cut the dough into 5 long rectangles, about 4″ wide each.
Next, cut each rectangle diagonally from corner to corner, forming 10 triangles. Each of these triangles will become one croissant!
Make sure to use a pastry brush to dust the extra flour off the dough. Then cut a small slit at the base of each triangle, and roll into a croissant shape. Transfer them to a lined baking tray, with the seam side down.
Because the croissants will expand considerably after the final rising and baking, I like to divide them between two large baking sheets to give them plenty of room.
The croissants must rise one final time until just about doubled in volume. I like to cover them with lightly damp, lint-free kitchen towels, but you can also use a sheet of plastic wrap. We just want to keep them from drying out on the surface.
Baking Your Croissants
If you want to achieve the glossy finish you’d see in a bakery, you can brush your vegan croissants with a mixture of agave nectar and soy milk, although this is optional.
I like to bake vegan croissants in two phases. As with pie crust or many hearth breads, we start at a higher temperature for the best oven spring. The high heat causes the butter layers in the dough to rapidly melt and produce steam, which in turn expands and creates the signature flaky texture and big air bubbles we love to see in croissants. We then lower the temperature to ensure that the croissants cook fully without burning or browning excessively.
I hope this guide will help you make your first batch of vegan croissants, or to troubleshoot any issues if you’ve attempted to make them before. Stay tuned for separate posts about different croissant varieties: pains au chocolat, almond croissants (my absolute favorite), and vegan ham and cheese croissants!
If you make these, I’d love nothing more than to see how they turn out for you! Upload a picture to Instagram and tag me, and I will do my best to re-share on my stories! Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, sorry! Coconut oil doesn’t have the same consistency as butter so it will be difficult to work with the dough when performing the turns.
Unfortunately not. The gluten structure is very important in this recipe.
Yes, technically, though you would probably want to get started as early as possible in the day. The fastest this recipe can come together is probably no fewer than 5-6 hours.
Starting time: Mix dough and set out to rise at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled. Prepare butter slab and refrigerate.
About 1 hour later: Punch down dough, roll out and fold into a rectangle. Chill for 2 hours.
About 2 hours later: Roll out chilled dough and encase butter slab. Perform a single turn. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
About 1 hour later: Perform a single turn. Cover and chill for another 1 hour.
About 1 hour later: Roll and cut dough into triangles. Shape into croissants. Allow them to rise until doubled (1-2 hours depending on ambient temperature.)
About 1 hour later: Bake croissants.
These are just estimated times. It really depends on how quickly you work. That said, you’ll get the tastiest and most consistent results if you do plan ahead and allow the overnight cold fermentation!
More Vegan Baking Recipes!
- Vegan Milk Bread – The fluffiest homemade white bread you’ve ever had. Perfect for sandwiches and French toast.
- Garlic Herb Pull-Apart Bread – A fun take on garlic bread. Rip it apart and dip in your favorite marinara.
- Cinnamon Rolls – Fluffy dough, a sweet cinnamon filling, and a cream cheese frosting. Does it get any better?
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you’ve made this recipe and loved it, please leave a 5-star rating and review below! Also, if you post a picture on Instagram and tag me @sarahsvegankitchen_, I’d love to see your work.
Vegan Croissants Recipe
Video
Equipment
- stand mixer with paddle and dough hook attachment
- mixing bowl and mixing spoon if you don't have a stand mixer
- Rolling Pin
- 2 large baking trays
- parchment or silicone baking mat
- pastry brush to brush off extra flour
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 (0.25 oz) packets active dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
- 1 cup lukewarm water about 110°F
- 3 1/2 cups (420g) bread flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons (11g) salt
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter softened
- all-purpose flour to dust work surface
For the Butter Slab
- 1 cup (2 sticks) vegan butter slightly softened
Vegan Egg Wash
- 2 tablespoons nondairy milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- Add the lukewarm water to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk in the yeast and allow to proof until foamy (about 5 minutes).
- Add in the granulated sugar, bread flour, salt, and the softened vegan butter. Mix with the paddle attachment on medium speed until dough comes together in one large mass. At this point it will look very rough and shaggy.
- Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. It should clear the sides of the bowl. Dough should bounce back when poked gently. If the dough seems overly wet or sticky, gradually knead in extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the right consistency is achieved.
First Rise
- Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl (you can use plastic, a large plate, or a lightly damp kitchen towel). Allow to rise until doubled (about 1 hour). If it's chilly in your kitchen, it might take a bit longer.
- Punch down the dough to remove any large air bubbles. Transfer to a clean surface. Gently stretch the dough out with your hands and fold it into a square shape. (This is just to make it easier to roll it out into a rectangular shape later.)
- Transfer the dough to a sealable container. It will continue to rise, so make sure there is a little extra space for it to expand. I like to to use an 8×8” baking dish with a lid — this will help to keep it in a square shape. You can also tightly wrap it in plastic wrap.
- Place the dough in the fridge and allow to rise for at least 2 hours, OR overnight.
Make the Butter Slab
- Next we will want to shape 1 cup of butter into a flat, square slab. I like to do this by taking a large piece of parchment and folding it into a 6×6" square shape. Place the butter inside the square and fold the edges of the parchment over to enclose it. Then use a rolling pin to pound and roll the butter to fill the parchment square. Roll over it to form it into a nice flat, even slab.
- Place the butter slab in the fridge to chill.
Laminating the Dough
- Once the dough has chilled for 2 hours OR overnight, it is ready to laminate. First bring your butter slab out of the fridge and place it on the counter so it has a few minutes to soften just *slightly.* Our aim is to have the butter slightly pliable but not soft — similar in texture to the chilled dough.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a large rectangle, roughly 8"x16". (It needs to be slightly larger than twice the length of the butter slab.) Use a pastry brush to dust off any excess flour from the surface of the dough. Place the butter slab on one side, leaving a border, then fold the dough over to envelop the butter. Pinch around the edges to seal in the butter tightly.
- Note: While laminating the dough, use as much all-purpose flour as needed to keep your dough from sticking to the work surface and to your rolling pin. We will use a pastry brush between steps to brush off any excess flour.
- Roll the dough out to roughly 24×9". Use a pastry brush to dust off excess flour. Perform one single turn: Fold the dough in 3rds like a letter.
- Place the dough back in the sealed container (or wrap it tightly with parchment/plastic). Place in the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour before proceeding. This is necessary to keep the butter from softening too much, and it will allow the gluten to relax so the dough will not resist being rolled out again.
- Once the dough has chilled, roll it out again to 24×9". Again, use your pastry brush to dust off excess flour. Now perform a double turn: Fold both ends of the dough to meet in the center, then fold in half again like a book. Cover dough and refrigerate for 1 hour OR overnight to allow the gluten to fully relax.
Shaping the Croissants
- Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll dough out to just over 20" wide and 18" tall. Use a very sharp knife to trim the left and right edges just slightly, so they are straight and crisp.
- Now cut the dough into 5 long rectangles, each about 4 inches wide. Then cut each rectangle diagonally from corner to corner, creating 10 long triangles. Each triangle will be one croissant.
- Working one at a time, use your pastry brush to dust excess flour off the dough. Cut a small slit at the base of each triangle, then gently pull to elongate the piece of dough even more. Now gently roll your dough into a crescent shape.
- Place on a baking tray (lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat) with the point or seam of the croissant on the bottom. Repeat with the remaining croissants. The croissants will expand, so I prefer to divide them between two large baking sheets to give them plenty of space.
- Lightly cover the croissants with plastic or a slightly damp tea towel. Allow croissants to rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size. They should look noticeably puffy and should jiggle slightly if you shake the baking tray.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 400°F toward the end of the rising time.
- Optionally, you can whisk together 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup with 2 tablespoons plant milk to make a vegan egg wash substitute. Lightly brush the croissants with this mixture to help them achieve a glossy finish. (Make sure it's only a very light wash, or the sugars can cause the croissants to brown too quickly.)
- If you have also divided your croissants between 2 baking trays, we will bake them one at a time. You can place the other tray in the fridge or in a cool spot in your house while the first tray bakes.
- Bake croissants for the first 5 minutes at 400°F, then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until deep golden brown. If they appear to be getting too dark, you can loosely tent them with foil until they are done baking.
- Please note that every oven is a little different in terms of how it distributes heat, so you may need to make some adjustments in case yours has any hot spots.Some ovens tend to overly brown the bottoms of baked goods — if this happens to you, you might want to cook the croissants on a higher rack, OR place an extra (empty) baking sheet on the bottom rack beneath your croissants to help shield them from the heat, so the bottoms of the croissants don't get too dark.If your oven tends to be a lot hotter towards the back than the front, then I recommend rotating your baking tray midway through the cook time so the croissants bake evenly.
- Allow the croissants to cool on the baking tray for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- These are best served warm, whether fresh from the oven or reheated slightly in a microwave or toaster oven. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. These also freeze and defrost well.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided on Sarah’s Vegan Kitchen is an estimate and is offered for general informational purposes only. Values will vary depending on the specific brands and amounts used.
Hi Sarah! I don’t know if you’ll see this but I’m hoping to get an answer for a future try. I prepepd everything yesterday and did my first turn, the single fold today, and then rested, albeit probably not for long enough and did the double fold and then my tried to roll the dough out into 18×20 and it tore. i don’t know what to do at this point 🙁 i sprinkled a lot of flour on it in hopes to cover up all the exposed butter. would that work? or is the dough a goner?
I haven’t made these yet because the recipe is somewhat confusing. We go from OZ’s to cups then grams. For consistency and accuracy, could it all be in grams. What is sticks of butter? Can it be in grams ?
Very helpful instructions! First time making croissants and turned out amazing. Thank you ❤️
Hi! Love the recipe – you made it so manageable. From first try they turned out so delicious- don’t think I’m gonna search for vegan croissant anymore! However, I’m unsure about the steps when doubling the portion. Do you roll out the portion double the size? And are the folding process still the same? 🙂
Fabulous recipe, great step by step instructions and made it all feel pretty simple! I’ve done a lot of baking but not attempted croissants before as I was nervous to try but would definitely make these again. They are light and airy and flaky and exactly as a good croissant should be! I don’t have access to good vegan butter so I used Crisco and it worked great (albeit doesn’t have quite the same buttery flavour). We live in the Pacific and can’t get many vegan goodies here including croissants, which are one of my faves. Now we can make them at home! ❤️❤️❤️
This recipe is so easy to follow and the croissants turned out better than I could’ve imagined! I tried it with chocolate, almond, and vegan ham and cheese fillings and they were all amazing.
That sounds amazing! I was going to try chocolate and almond.Thanks for the tip of the vegan ham and cheese also.
I have been wanting to try making croissants for ages and finally got round to it this weekend, and these were just perfect – will definitely make them again, thank you so much for this fantastic recipe!!!
You’re welcome! Thank you for the lovely review!