Pancake makers who have ingredients at home
If you want to make pancakes and already have milk, eggs and cooking fat, you could choose a plain mix. Check the pack to see exactly what you need to add.
Who is this choice for?
Pancake makers who want to add as little as possible
A complete mix can be handy if you want to make the batter with water. Do read the ingredients, though: the complete mixes described here also contain milk and egg ingredients.
Bakers looking to make a cake or tart base
For an oven-baked result, the product category matters more than a similar-sounding name. Koopmans describes its cake flour as a base for cake, while the pancake mixes reviewed here give instructions for cooking in a pan.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to bake a cake or make pancakes. Then check which ingredients you need to add yourself and whether the mix suits your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What you want to bake | Check whether the pack gives instructions for an oven-baked cake or pancakes cooked in a pan. | I want to bake a cake or tart base and need a product with instructions for that result. For around 36% of consumers, finding a product that matches what they want to bake comes first. |
| Ingredients you need to add | Check what the recipe calls for in addition to the mix, such as milk, eggs or cooking fat. | When I make pancakes, I want to know in advance which ingredients I’ll still need. Around 29% of consumers say this preparation is their top priority. |
| Ease of preparation | Compare the instructions for plain and complete pancake mixes. | I want to be able to make pancake batter without measuring out milk and eggs. This convenience matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack, and check for any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the product name. Checking the ingredients is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking pancake mix for a cake base
The pancake mixes described here give instructions for cooking in a frying pan. That’s different from instructions for baking a cake in the oven.
For a cake or tart base, choose a product made for that purpose and follow the instructions provided.
Using a product that isn’t suited to what you want to bake can cost you both ingredients and time.
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Not checking what you need to add yourself
The plain pancake mixes reviewed here require extra ingredients, while complete versions are prepared with water.
Read the preparation instructions before buying and check which ingredients you already have at home.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
A complete mix may contain milk and egg ingredients. For example, Koopmans lists whey powder and egg in Pannenkoeken Compleet.
Check the current label every time you buy it, even if you’ve used the product before.
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Not storing an opened pack properly
Moisture and heat can cause problems with flour products; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights issues such as insects and unusual smells.
Seal the pack securely, store it somewhere cool, dry and dark, and check it before use.
Brands to help you choose
PLUS
PLUS offers both a plain and a complete pancake mix.
- For its plain mix, PLUS lists milk, eggs and butter or oil as ingredients to add; for Complete, the brand lists water and cooking fat.
- If you need to avoid milk or egg, check the ingredients even for a mix that you prepare with water.
ALDI Albona
Albona is ALDI’s multigrain pancake mix, listed as an in-store product.
- The pack described contains 400 g of mix.
- Check what’s available in store if you’re looking for this specific mix.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a plain pancake mix and a separate organic version.
- Jumbo lists ingredients including wheat, buckwheat, oats and raising agents in its plain mix.
- Check the instructions for the version you choose; according to Jumbo, the organic mix requires milk and eggs.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes its plain mix as a product for making pancakes.
- The product instructions call for three eggs, 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk, and margarine or oil.
- Check the instructions on the pack you’re using before you start.
Koopmans
Koopmans distinguishes its pancake mixes from its cake flour, which the brand describes as a base for cake.
- According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet is prepared with water; cake flour has its own baking instructions.
- According to the ingredients information, Pannenkoeken Compleet contains ingredients including whey powder and egg.
Lidl Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g in-store product.
- According to Lidl, one pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack you buy for its ingredients and preparation instructions.
Cake flour on Joybuy
These products are suited to choosing a cake base rather than pancake mix. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for each product against the recipe you want to follow.
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Koopmans Cake Flour 450 g
An option if you’re looking for cake flour rather than pancake mix. The pack contains 450 g; check the baking instructions to see which ingredients you need to add yourself.
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Xinliang Cake Flour 500G ×2
An option if you’re looking for cake flour to use in your own recipe. This pack contains 500G ×2; check which ingredients and steps your recipe calls for.
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Gogi Cake Flour Layer Sweet Cake 1 KG
Worth considering if you’re looking for a base for a sweet cake. The pack lists 1 KG; read the ingredients and preparation instructions to see whether it suits your recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use pancake mix to make a cake?
Pancake mix isn’t a direct substitute for a cake base if you want to follow the baking instructions on the pack. The pancake mixes described here give instructions for cooking in a pan; Koopmans describes its cake flour separately as a base for cake.
What’s the difference between plain and complete pancake mix?
With the plain PLUS mix described here, you add milk, eggs and cooking fat; PLUS Complete is made with water and also requires cooking fat. ‘Complete’ doesn’t mean the product is free from milk or egg ingredients, so read the ingredients list if that matters to you.
Should I check the allergens on the pack when buying pancake mix?
Yes. Check the current pack to see which ingredients and allergens are listed for your mix. For example, Jumbo Naturel lists wheat and oats, while Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet lists whey powder and egg. Don’t rely on the terms ‘plain’ or ‘complete’ alone.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store an opened pack somewhere cool, dry and dark, and seal it securely, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Before use, also check the best-before date and the condition of the mix.