Costco is now selling Mini Croissant Donuts in select stores
Few dessert trends have gripped the collective conscious like the Cronut. Since its debut in 2013, the flaky, deep-fried hybrid sparked three-hour lines and a black market with markups that would make a sneakerhead blush. Now, 13 years after the original obsession began, the warehouse giant Costco is finally bringing a version of that magic to the masses. In July 2026, news broke that the retailer has begun stalking Mini Croissant Donuts in its bakery sections, allowing shoppers to bypass the boutique bakery price tags for a bulk-sized sugar rush.
The product arrives as a collaboration with Canada-based CT Bakery. For roughly $9.99, Costco fans can snag a pack of 20 miniature hybrids. Each box splits the difference between two classic flavors, offering 10 glazed units and 10 coated in cinnamon sugar. While it borrows the DNA of the famous Dominique Ansel creation, this isn’t a three-day artisan process. It is a convenience-first interpretation designed for the family kitchen table rather than a curated Instagram feed.
To understand the hype, you have to look back at the chaos of the early 2010s. When pastry chef Dominique Ansel first combined croissant dough with the shape and preparation of a donut, it became an instant cultural milestone. At the time, the original NYC bakery sold them for about $5 each, limiting production to a few hundred daily to maintain quality. Resellers would often list the pastries on Craigslist for $100 or more. Costco’s entry into this space represents the final stage of “trend democratization”—the moment a high-end luxury becomes a staple of the American suburbs.
Social media accounts dedicated to the warehouse club were quick to spot the new addition. Popular trackers like @costcobuys signaled the arrival to hundreds of thousands of followers, many of whom immediately added the item to their shopping lists. The allure is simple: accessibility. While an original Cronut in 2026 might still require a trek to a specific urban corner and a premium price, the Costco variant is meant to be tossed in a cart next to a five-gallon tub of laundry detergent.
However, the transition from boutique bakery to mass production has not been without its critics. Early adopters on Reddit and Instagram have voiced a wide range of opinions on the texture of these “chimeric confections.” Some customers praised the value and flavor, calling them a must-buy for any party. Others were less impressed with the shelf life. One shopper noted that the glazed versions can become overly moist in their plastic packaging, while the cinnamon sugar variety tends to dry out quickly. One disgruntled reviewer noted that the lack of freshness ‘completely kills the mood’ of what should be a decadent treat.
The variability in quality often comes down to the logistics of big-box baking. Unlike a local patisserie that fries and fills treats every sixty minutes, Costco’s inventory often moves through a longer supply chain. Because these are produced by CT Bakery and shipped, the “crunch” of a traditional croissant is harder to maintain. Fans advise looking for the newest date stamps on the packaging to ensure the best possible experience, as dough quality in these hybrids tends to degrade significantly after the first 24 hours.
This product launch also highlights Costco’s broader strategy of reclaiming “viral” food items. We have seen this before with their massive chocolate chip cookies and the legendary rotisserie chicken. By identifying a food item that people recognize from social media and scaling it down to a price point under $0.50 per serving, they create a “treasure hunt” atmosphere. It keeps members walking the aisles rather than ordering everything online.
If you are looking to secure a box, you might need some luck. Distribution seems to be rolling out regionally rather than hitting every warehouse at once. Shoppers have reported sightings in various territories, but many others have left their local stores empty-handed. The frenzy is a testament to the staying power of the croissant-donut concept. Even a decade after its invention, the combination of buttery layers and sugary glaze remains the gold standard for indulgent snacking. Whether these stay on the shelves permanently or remain a limited-time experiment likely depends on how these first few million donuts perform during the summer rush.
Source: https://nypost.com/2026/07/06/lifestyle/costco-now-selling-their-own-version-of-the-viral-cronut/
