For a quick Asian-night meal with savoury toppings of your choice, go for a plain or complete mix. If you’re after the flavour and method of sourdough, make your batter with a starter or check that sourdough is actually listed in the ingredients. Your toppings won’t turn an ordinary mix into a sourdough mix.
If you want to make batter with your own starter, you’ll need to get started before the evening itself. Jumbo’s method takes 3 to 6 days for the sourdough starter to be ready. A standard mix with raising agents won’t necessarily give you the same results or method.
If you’re choosing your own filling, sauce and toppings, a regular pancake can make a good base for a meal. A complete mix that only needs water keeps preparation to a minimum, while a plain mix lets you choose which ingredients to add.
Whether you’re cooking plant-based or need to avoid specific allergens, check both the dry mix and anything you add to it. Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, even if the product name mentions a dietary feature.
First decide whether sourdough is essential, or whether you’re mainly looking for a pancake to top with your own savoury ingredients. Then compare what needs to be added and check that the full preparation method suits your dietary needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough | Check whether sourdough, a starter or fermented flour is explicitly listed in the ingredients. For homemade sourdough, Jumbo describes a preparation time of 3 to 6 days. | If you specifically want to bake with a starter, a description such as ‘artisan’ isn’t enough. For around 31% of consumers, verifiable sourdough is the top priority. |
| Savoury base | Check whether a plain or original mix suits the filling and toppings you want to add, and see which ingredients you’ll need for the batter. | If the savoury filling is the main event, you’ll want to top your pancake to suit your taste. A neutral base is the first choice for around 31% of consumers. |
| Minimal preparation | Check whether the mix only needs water or also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat, and read the preparation instructions. | If you want to make the batter without needing lots of extra ingredients, convenience matters more than using a starter. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Diet and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any may-contain warnings. Also check the ingredients you add and your toppings. | If you’re looking for a plant-based option or a mix that meets specific allergen requirements, there’s more to check than the front of the pack. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
The Asian-night theme comes from how you prepare the pancakes and the filling and toppings you choose. A description such as ‘artisan’ doesn’t confirm that the batter is made with sourdough either.
If sourdough matters to you, check the ingredients or plan a recipe using your own starter. If you choose the latter, allow time for preparation.
A dry mix labelled vegan won’t automatically make a plant-based pancake if you add milk or eggs. Conversely, a gluten-free mix may still contain other allergens: Consenza’s information lists milk powder, egg powder and lupin.
Check the current packaging and all the ingredients you use for the batter and toppings.
According to Koopmans, a complete mix such as Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet is made with water. A mix such as Koopmans Pannenkoeken Origineel also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop, and make sure you have enough batter for everyone.
Depending on the mix you choose, you may need milk, eggs, cooking fat or suitable alternatives.
Voedingscentrum advises against eating raw batter because of the risk of food poisoning.
Don’t taste the batter raw, and cook the pancakes thoroughly according to the product instructions.
The Original, Complete and Bio Meergranen varieties show why the preparation instructions and ingredients matter more than the brand name alone.
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken naturel is a base for anyone who wants to choose how to prepare the rest themselves.
Jumbo Mix voor Pannenkoeken Naturel 400 g and Jumbo’s recipe for a sourdough starter are for different methods of preparation.
PLUS offers a choice of options, including a complete boxed mix and a bottle mix, each with a different preparation method.
ALDI’s Albona range includes a plain baking mix for regular pancakes.
Lidl’s Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel is a standard mix to consider alongside other preparation options.
These mixes suit anyone who wants to make batter quickly or choose their own savoury toppings. If you’re specifically looking for sourdough, check that it’s listed on the current packaging before you buy.
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A complete pancake mix for anyone who wants to keep preparation to a minimum before adding savoury toppings. If you have dietary requirements, check the current packaging for egg and milk, and see whether the ingredients meet any sourdough requirements.
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A 400 g wholegrain pancake mix for making pancakes with toppings of your choice. You’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil for the batter. Check the label if sourdough or an allergen requirement is important to you.
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An original 400 g pancake mix that makes a good base for savoury toppings of your choice. You’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil to prepare it. Raising agents don’t confirm that it contains sourdough, so check the current ingredients list.
Check whether sourdough, a starter or fermented flour is explicitly listed in the ingredients. Koopmans Pannenkoeken Origineel lists raising agents, but that alone doesn’t confirm that it contains sourdough. If you want to bake with your own starter, allow time to prepare it before the meal.
You can, if the dry mix is suitable and you use plant-based additions. Albert Heijn labels AH Mix voor pannenkoeken naturel as vegan and also provides instructions for a plant-based version. According to the product information, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet contains whey powder and egg powder, so check the variety before replacing any ingredients.
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s free from other allergens. The Consenza pancake mix, described as gluten-free and wheat-free, lists milk powder and egg powder. So, each time you buy, read the full allergen information and any may-contain warnings.
It’s best not to taste raw batter. Voedingscentrum warns of the risk of food poisoning from raw batter. Cook the pancakes thoroughly and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
