Who is a 1 kg bag suitable for?

Households that often make pancakes

If you regularly cook for several people, a 1 kg bag could see you through several occasions. Check how much water or other ingredients your chosen mix needs for each batch, too.

Breakfast cooks who want to keep measuring to a minimum

A complete mix that only requires water means fewer separate ingredients to add. Read the instructions for the exact product, as not all pancake mixes work in the same way.

Shoppers with specific dietary or allergen requirements

If you need to avoid certain ingredients or follow a vegan diet, the words ‘just add water’ aren’t enough. Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the quantity you need, then compare the preparation instructions and check the ingredients and allergens separately.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Pack size Check that the pack really contains 1 kg, and follow the storage instructions if you plan to use the bag over several occasions. If I often cook for several people, I don’t want to keep buying a new pack. Around 50% of consumers would put pack size at the top of their buying criteria.
Preparation instructions Check what you need to add: Van de Meester specifies 1.7 litres of water per 1 kg bag; Koopmans Origineel calls for milk and eggs. For a breakfast that needs little preparation, I don’t want to have to check whether there’s milk and eggs in the house first. For around 33% of consumers, ease of preparation would come first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the label for the variant you’ve chosen, including the allergen information and warnings about possible traces. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the recipe determines which mix I can use. This would be the top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a smaller pack for a 1 kg bag

    The Koopmans, PLUS and ALDI products reviewed are listed in packs of around 400 g. You’ll need several packs of these products to get around 1 kg of mix.

    Check the weight in grams on the product page and packaging before choosing how much to buy.

  • Assuming ‘just add water’ means allergen-free or vegan

    A mix may only need water during preparation and still contain wheat, milk or egg. Ease of preparation and ingredients are two different things.

    If you have dietary requirements or allergies, read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces.

  • Forgetting about kitchen equipment when using a gluten-free mix

    Even when a mix is labelled gluten-free, cross-contamination during preparation is something to consider. For people with coeliac disease, Baktotaal advises using separate equipment and a clean work surface with the Koopmans Professional Vegan mix.

    Before you start cooking, check that your pan, bowl, whisk, work surface and toppings haven’t come into contact with gluten.

  • Assuming a replacement product is still available to buy

    Sligro says the product code for Royal Steensma Pannenkoekenmix Zak 1 kg has been replaced. Product information from the old listing may not apply to its replacement.

    Check the replacement’s pack size, ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions again.

Brands and the pancake mixes reviewed

Van de Meester

Van de Meester markets its 1 kg Oud Hollandse pancake mix to professional and semi-professional cooks, among others; the bag is also available to buy individually.

  • According to the seller, mix the 1 kg bag with 1.7 litres of water; the mix also contains wholemeal flour and buckwheat.
  • The seller lists gluten, milk and egg, and possible traces of nuts.

Koopmans

The Koopmans variants reviewed differ in pack size, preparation method and ingredients.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g Koopmans Compleet only needs 700 ml of water. Baktotaal also describes a 1 kg Koopmans Professional Vegan variant as gluten-, milk- and egg-free.
  • Koopmans Compleet doesn’t come in a 1 kg bag. The seller warns that the Professional Vegan variant may contain traces of soya; check the current packaging.

PLUS

The PLUS Complete mix reviewed comes in a 400 g pack, for anyone who wants to make a smaller quantity.

  • PLUS specifies 700 ml of water for the mix, plus butter or oil for cooking.
  • The ingredients and allergen information include wheat, milk and egg, among other things; the pack won’t meet your needs if you want a single 1 kg bag.

Albona

ALDI describes the Albona pancake mix reviewed as a smaller pack for home cooking.

  • The ALDI listing gives instructions for making the mix with milk and eggs.
  • At around 400 g, it isn’t a 1 kg bag; you’ll need to add the milk and eggs yourself.

Pancake mix on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 1 kg bag of pancake mix automatically suitable for a sweet breakfast?

No. The pack size only tells you how much mix you’re buying. Also choose a preparation method and ingredients that suit your household; you can choose any sweet toppings separately.

Can I make a complete pancake mix without adding milk and eggs?

According to their preparation instructions, you can with the Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete variants reviewed. That doesn’t mean the mix itself is free from milk or egg ingredients, so check the ingredients on the specific pack.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Check the current ingredients and allergen information for your chosen mix, even if the preparation method seems straightforward. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label; also look out for any warnings about possible traces.

Is a pack of around 400 g an alternative to a 1 kg bag?

Yes, if you’d rather buy a smaller quantity or use several packs. A pack of around 400 g isn’t the same as a 1 kg pack, so check how many packs you’ll need for the occasions you’re planning to cook for.

How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your mix. For the Complete mix reviewed, PLUS says to store it in a cool, dry place. If you have a larger bag, it’s especially important to keep following the instructions after opening it.