Ah, croissants – flaky, buttery, and delicious. They’re not just for breakfast, you know. I like a nice and soft croissant any time of day, but very rarely do I get a chance to eat a savory type. That’s where Hillshire Farm comes into play. Straight from the deli meat section of your grocery store, they happened to sneak into the frozen food playing field with their line of stuffed croissants. Maybe you’re looking for a quick snack and don’t have the means to head over to your local deli or bakery.
While Hillshire Farm offers other flavors like Philly Style Cheesesteak and Ham & Cheese, I ended up taking a walk on the spicy side with the Buffalo Style Chicken Stuffed Croissants. I’m always game for trying new snacks, but as a frozen food fan, I know the cooking instructions can make or break the experience. I tested both the microwave and air fryer methods on this 2-pack to see which one delivers that “fresh from the bakery” feel, and let’s just say, my microwave’s defrost setting and I had some creative differences.
What Exactly is “Buffalo Style,” Anyway?
You may have heard of buffalo chicken, but even I didn’t know much about it as I took my first bite of this croissant. All I knew is that the filling had a spicy kick to it. What makes something “buffalo” instead of just “hot”?
The flavor profile of “Buffalo Style” sauce traditionally consists of hot sauce and butter. The hot sauce usually contains vinegar, which offers a tangy note.
Unboxing Hillshire Farm’s Frozen Croissants
Straight out of the box, these croissants are solid, frozen units with no flaking or mess. Each 340-calorie croissant comes individually wrapped in plastic, with instructions for both the microwave and air fryer printed right on the sleeve. One detail I loved? You can actually see the melted cheese resting on top of the pastry before it even hits the heat.
The Air Fryer Experiment: Crispy Gold or Cold Center?
If you’re like me, you see “Air Fryer” on a label and immediately assume it’s the superior path to crispiness. Hillshire Farm provides specific instructions for this method, but I quickly learned that following them to the letter requires a bit of patience (and perhaps a PhD in microwave settings).
The official instructions suggest a two-step dance:
- The Defrost: Remove the wrapper, wrap the croissant in a paper towel, and defrost at 30% power for 90 seconds in the microwave.
- The Crisp: Move the croissant to the air fryer at 325°F for 4 minutes.
My Experience: I’ll be honest—this felt like a bit of a pain. My older microwave has a complicated defrost setting that is notoriously difficult to navigate. Even after I figured it out, I’m not convinced the defrost cycle actually did anything to the frozen core of the pastry.
The Air Fryer Results
The air fryer did exactly what it was supposed to do for the exterior: it left the outer breading with a perfect balance of soft and crispy textures. However, most frozen foods state a “Trial and Error” warning on the packaging because consumers own various appliances of age and efficiency. That same message appears on the croissant’s package too. Despite following the timing, the middle of my croissant remained cold. I ended up having to throw it back into the microwave for an additional 60 to 90 seconds just to get the filling to a safe, edible temperature
Tip: Save yourself the defrost headache. You’re likely better off letting the croissant thaw on the counter for about 15 minutes before cooking it at a regular temperature.
The Microwave Method: For the Impatient Foodie
If the air fryer is for the patient foodie, the microwave is for the “I need to eat before my next meeting” crowd. Hillshire Farm’s official microwave instructions are actually quite similar to the air fryer’s first step:
- Remove the plastic wrapper and wrap the croissant in a paper towel.
- Defrost at 30% power for 90 seconds.
- Turn the croissant over and heat on high for 45 seconds.
My Experience: As I mentioned earlier, I am not a fan of my microwave’s defrost feature. It’s complicated, and in my experience, it doesn’t do much for a frozen croissant anyway. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
Instead of messing with power levels, I microwaved my second croissant on high for 90 seconds (still wrapped in its paper towel), flipped it over, and gave it another 30 seconds.
The Microwave Results
While the air fryer won the texture award, the microwave won for reliability. Even with my improvised timing, the chicken was super tender and the filling was actually hot all the way through. No cold middle surprises here!
The trade-off? The ends of the croissant became quite crunchy and crusty, which is typical for microwaved bread. However, that buttery flavor still came through beautifully, and the cheese-infused breading paired perfectly with the absorbed hint of buffalo sauce. It’s also pretty clear the stuffing inside the microwaved croissant looked more condensed compared to the air fryer’s plump center.
My Honest Review and Final Verdict
After testing both methods, I can say that Hillshire Farm has created a delicious snack with high-quality ingredients. The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and that buttery croissant dough is a winner.
You won’t find liquid sauce dripping as you eat. The buffalo flavor acts more like a coating that soaks into the tender chicken pieces and the cheesy breading. It’s not overly vinegary, either. It leans more into a smoky kick that pairs nicely with the buttery pastry. The amount of heat is just right, in my opinion!
However, the cooking instructions definitely need some work. Whether you choose the microwave or the air fryer, expect a bit of “trial and error” based on your specific kitchen gear.
The Winner: The microwave is the most reliable way to ensure the chicken is hot and tender all the way through. I don’t mind the chew, and the buffalo seasoning seems evenly distributed.
The Runner-Up: If you have the time, the air fryer provides the most accurate croissant texture.
FAQs About Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croissants
How many calories are in a Hillshire Farm Buffalo Chicken Croissant? Each individual croissant contains 340 calories.
Can you cook these in a conventional oven? Any frozen food could take a cooking trip inside a conventional oven; however, the instructions only cater to microwaves and air fryers.
What other flavors are available? In addition to Buffalo Style Chicken, you can find these in Philly Style Cheesesteak and Ham & Cheese varieties.
Where do you find these in the grocery store? While Hillshire Farm is famous for deli meats, you’ll find these tucked away in the frozen food aisle.
Which Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croissant would you try?
Buffalo Chicken, Philly Style Cheesesteak, or Ham & Cheese?
Let me know in the comments!
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