Who is this choice relevant to?

Planning a savoury Asian-inspired evening

Looking for an organic-labelled pancake mix that lets the flavours of savoury toppings and sauces shine.

Home cook choosing by grain

Wants to compare wheat, multigrain and buckwheat mixes by their grain content and the allergens that matter to their guests.

Cook with specific preparation requirements

Checks whether the mix, along with the milk, eggs and cooking fat they need to add, suits the planned menu.

What should you look for?

First, check the organic label on the packaging. Then compare the grain base, allergens and preparation instructions with the dish you want to make.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Organic label Check the EU organic logo, inspection code and details of the agricultural origin on the packaging. I want to be able to check that the mix is certified organic, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’. For around 36% of consumers, being able to verify this is the top priority.
Flavour of the grain base Compare the main ingredients: wheat, a blend of grains or mainly buckwheat. If savoury toppings are taking centre stage, I want a different base than I would if I wanted the grain flavour to stand out. Around 29% of consumers put this flavour consideration first.
Grains and allergens Read which grains the mix contains and check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. I need to know which grains and potential allergens are in the mix for my guests; the product name alone isn’t enough. For around 21% of consumers, this is their main concern.
Preparation Check what milk, eggs and cooking fat you need to add, and whether plant-based preparation instructions are provided. I want to be able to make the batter with ingredients that suit my menu, without discovering halfway through cooking that I need something else. This is the top preparation consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘natural’ or ‘multigrain’ means organic

    On their own, these words don’t show that a pancake mix is certified organic. According to the European Commission, use of the EU organic logo is linked to certification under organic production rules.

    Check the packaging for the EU organic logo, inspection code and details of the agricultural origin.

  • Only planning for the mix itself

    The pancake mixes described also require ingredients such as milk, eggs or cooking fat. The organic label on the mix doesn’t automatically apply to the ingredients you add yourself.

    Read the preparation instructions before you shop, then choose any additions separately to suit your menu.

  • Assuming buckwheat or multigrain will suit every guest

    A multigrain mix may contain wheat, spelt, rye or oats, among other grains. Even with a mix that highlights buckwheat, you still need to check for other potential allergens separately.

    Check the allergen information on the current packaging; don’t assume a product is gluten-free just because it’s called buckwheat.

  • Leaving the grain flavour out of your decision until after you buy

    If you want the sauce and toppings to stand out, the grain base matters in a different way than it does when you want to taste buckwheat or a variety of grains.

    Choose a mix based on the role you want the pancake to play in the dish, and check the ingredients list to help you decide.

Brands to compare

AH Biologisch

Albert Heijn describes its 400 g organic multigrain mix as containing spelt, rye and wheat.

  • The product information includes a plant-based preparation method as well as the grain composition.
  • Check the listed allergens and the ingredients you need to add yourself; the mix’s organic status doesn’t automatically apply to the whole dish.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a 400 g organic pancake mix made with organic wheat flour as its base.

  • The product information lists the inspection code DE-ÖKO-001 and the agricultural origin as EU/non-EU agriculture.
  • The mix contains wheat and gluten; the preparation instructions say to add milk and eggs.

Koopmans

According to the product information, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat, oats, maize and buckwheat.

  • The listed grain composition makes it easy to compare this mix with other multigrain mixes.
  • The mix contains grains that contain gluten and may contain egg and milk; you’ll need milk, eggs and cooking fat to prepare it.

Smaakt

Smaakt describes its 400 g organic buckwheat pancake mix as containing 90% buckwheat flour and tapioca flour.

  • The product information lists buckwheat as the main ingredient and gives the inspection code NL-BIO-01.
  • Don’t assume it’s gluten-free just because it contains buckwheat. Also check the warnings about possible traces of nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya, along with the ingredients needed for preparation.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a pancake mix is certified organic?

Check the packaging for the EU organic logo, inspection code and details of the agricultural origin. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised body and made up of at least 95% organic ingredients.

Can I prepare an organic pancake mix using plant-based ingredients?

That depends on the specific mix and the ingredients you add; organic doesn’t automatically mean plant-based. For AH Biologisch Meergranen, Albert Heijn describes a preparation method using a plant-based drink and, optionally, egg replacer. Check the current packaging and choose any other additions to suit your menu too.

Is a pancake mix containing buckwheat automatically gluten-free?

No. Listing buckwheat as an ingredient doesn’t mean the whole mix is gluten-free. Check whether the specific product is labelled gluten-free and read its allergen information; Smaakt Bio Boekweit also lists other potential allergens.

What else should I buy besides the pancake mix?

Read the preparation instructions for your chosen mix. Jumbo lists milk and eggs for its organic pancake mix; for Bio Meergranen, Koopmans lists milk, eggs and butter or oil. If you want the additions to be organic too, choose them separately.

Can I taste the batter before cooking it?

Follow the preparation instructions, and don’t taste the batter raw if the packaging advises against it. Koopmans explicitly says not to consume the Bio Meergranen batter raw and to cook the pancakes all the way through.