Easter planner with a well-stocked cupboard
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, you can choose a natural mix without adding those ingredients to your brunch shopping list. Check the pack to see how much you’ll need to prepare it.
Which mix is right for you?
Planner looking to buy fewer extra ingredients
A complete mix can help shorten your shopping list. PLUS says its Complete mix needs water and cooking fat. For other mixes, check the preparation instructions rather than assuming water will always be enough.
Shopper who needs to check allergens
The product name alone won’t tell you which cereals, milk or egg a mix contains, or may contain. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the option you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what you already have at home, then read the preparation instructions and the label for the specific mix. A natural mix and a complete mix don’t necessarily need the same extra ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Natural mix and pack size | Compare packs of the same type and check how much mix you’ll need for the amount you plan to make. | I already have the other ingredients at home and mainly want to choose a suitable natural mix for Easter brunch. For around 36% of consumers, choosing the dry mix comes first. |
| Extra ingredients | Check how much milk, egg, water and cooking fat the preparation instructions call for. | If I still need to buy milk and eggs, I’d prefer a mix that can be made with water. For around 29% of consumers, keeping extra shopping to a minimum matters most. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients list and any statements about allergens present or that may be present on the current pack. | I need to check whether the specific mix is suitable for the allergens I need to consider. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Preferred grain or claim | Check which grains are listed and whether the claim you’re looking for, such as gluten-free, is actually shown on the pack. | I’m specifically looking for a particular grain composition or a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free. This specification is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every mix only needs water
PLUS says its Natural mix needs milk, eggs and butter or oil. PLUS Complete needs water and cooking fat. This difference determines what else you’ll need to add to your shopping list.
Before buying, check what you’ll need for the pack you’ve chosen and compare it with what you have at home.
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Assuming that ‘natural’ or ‘complete’ tells you about allergens
According to the product information, PLUS Complete contains wheat, milk and egg; PLUS Natural also lists allergens that may be present. The type of mix doesn’t replace this product-specific information.
Check the ingredients list and any statements about allergens present or that may be present on the current pack.
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Relying on an old product description
Preparation instructions or ingredients can change. The pack you buy really matters, especially if you haven’t added all the ingredients to your shopping list or need to avoid an allergen.
Read the preparation instructions and label again when you choose a different option or a new pack.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an Original mix and a Complete option, among others. According to Koopmans, a pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes; the brand says its Complete mix is prepared with added water.
- The options give you a choice between adding milk and eggs yourself and using a mix prepared with water.
- Check the other requirements and current allergen information for each option.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes a 400 g own-label natural mix as well as other pancake mix options.
- The natural mix is an option to compare with other natural mixes in the same pack size.
- Read the preparation instructions and ingredients list for the specific AH option you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers its own 400 g Natural Pancake Mix.
- The product information lists the ingredients and what you’ll need to prepare it.
- This natural mix also needs milk, eggs and cooking fat; check the statements about allergens that may be present.
ALBONA (ALDI)
ALBONA is ALDI’s own-label brand, which offers a 400 g natural pancake mix.
- This own-label natural mix is an option to consider for your Easter shopping.
- Read the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS offers both a natural mix and a Complete mix under its own name.
- According to PLUS, Natural needs 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil; for Complete, PLUS lists 700 ml water and cooking fat.
- According to PLUS, the Complete mix contains wheat, milk and egg. Check the current label for the option you choose.
Complete mix at Joybuy
This complete pancake mix is a good fit if you don’t want to buy milk and eggs separately for the batter as part of your Easter shop. Also check what you’ll need for cooking the pancakes.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle 210 g
If you don’t want to buy milk and eggs separately for the batter, the product information says to add 350 ml water to this 210 g shaker bottle.
Check the current label before buying; the product information lists wheat, egg and milk, among other ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need in addition to a natural mix?
It varies by product: PLUS says its 400 g Natural mix needs 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil. If you’re buying a different natural mix, read the preparation instructions on the pack before you finish your Easter shopping.
Is a complete pancake mix handy if I don’t want to buy milk and eggs?
Yes, if the option you choose is made with water. PLUS says its Complete mix needs 700 ml water as well as cooking fat; check the instructions for any other complete mix.
Can I tell from the name whether a mix is suitable if I need to avoid an allergen?
No, check the packaging of the specific mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the label; also read any statements about possible traces.
Can I taste pancake batter raw?
Don’t taste Koopmans Original batter raw: according to the product information from PLUS, this batter must be cooked through. For another mix, follow the preparation instructions on the pack.