We Tasted 5 Crescent Rolls — and This Grocery Store Brand Snagged the Number 1 Spot
These crescents popped to the top of the list.
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Crescent rolls are like tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant: You know that you should save your appetite for the entrée, but that plan goes down the tubes when a basket of warm, golden dinner rolls hits the table.
Ready-to-bake rolls are not only crowd-pleasers, but they’re also lifesavers, thanks to their minimal prep and quick baking time. To find the best of the bunch, we sampled five different brands of crescent rolls. Three stood out as clear favorites.
Related: 17 Homemade Dinner Rolls and Buns to Bake
How we tested
We selected five brands from the refrigerator section of grocery stores, based on popularity and availability, for a masked taste test. We baked each according to the package instructions, which all called to bake at 375℉ (or 350℉ for a nonstick baking sheet) for about 10 to 13 minutes.
We evaluated each crescent roll based on two criteria: flavor and texture. In regard to flavor, we asked our testers to evaluate the rolls for butteriness, sweetness, and saltiness. For texture, the testers considered flakiness, airiness, and overall tenderness. To keep things fair, the crescent rolls were not brushed with additional butter before baking and were served on their own.
Related: We Tasted 7 Frozen Pie Crusts — Here’s the Winner Nobody Saw Coming
Of the five crescent rolls we tried, two brands received extremely low marks for flavor and texture. They were bland, bordering on flavorless, and as Prue and Paul would say on The Great British Baking Show, “claggy” in texture. The good news: Our top three rolls made a lasting impression and deserve a spot on your holiday table.
Food & Wine / Trader Joe’s
Best overall: Trader Joe’s Organic Crescent Rolls
Many people love Trader Joe’s for its budget-friendly prices, signature snacks, and fabulous frozen food aisle. We found yet another reason to love the grocer: its Organic Crescent rolls. These superb rolls checked all the right boxes. The flavor was balanced, with a mild sweetness and subtle toasty, nutty notes.
Related: Trader Joe's Just Revealed Its Most Popular Food, and It's Just $2.99
Of the brands we tried, these rolls also had the best texture. The exteriors were crisp, and the rolls were exceptionally airy, which didn’t come as a surprise after biting into one and seeing visible, flaky layers. Their lightweight nature makes them a perfect accompaniment to heavier dishes. Serve them with your holiday prime rib or alongside a hearty weeknight stew.
Food & Wine / General Mills
Best classic: Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls
Pillsbury is a household name for pre-made dough products like cinnamon rolls, pie crusts, and toaster strudels. Its classic crescent rolls have been one of the brand’s most popular products since it hit the market in 1965. Anyone would indeed be happy to receive a basket of these rolls: One tester described the flaky yet pillowy texture and nicely salted flavor as “biscuit-like.”
These rolls also earned top marks for appearance: They browned nicely on the outside, a welcome sight alongside some of their paler competitors. For extra flavor (and to wow your guests) smear these rolls with a simple compound butter.
Food & Wine / Publix
Honorable mention: Publix Original Crescent Rolls
Trader Joe’s wasn’t the only grocery store brand that surprised us. If you live in the South or Southeast and like rolls on the sweeter side, pick up a tube of Publix crescent rolls. According to one tester, their sweetness was reminiscent of brioche, and their texture was springy with a pleasant chew.
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