Who is this choice relevant to?

Bakers who look for an organic label

You want to be able to check whether a pancake mix is labelled as organic on the packaging, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’.

Shoppers choosing by type of grain

You’re looking for a wheat-based mix, a multigrain blend or one made mainly with buckwheat. The ingredients and allergen information will help you decide which option meets your needs.

Biscuit bakers looking to reuse a mix

You want to bake biscuits and are considering using pancake mix. The methods described are for batter cooked in a frying pan; you’ll need a specific recipe for biscuits.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to make pancakes or biscuits. If you’re making pancakes, compare the organic label, type of grain and preparation instructions on the packaging.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important to?
Organic label Look for the EU organic logo and organic label on the packaging. Skal Biocontrole states that the EU organic logo is compulsory for pre-packaged food produced in the EU and sold as organic. I want to be able to recognise the organic label on the packaging; this check is a priority for around 31% of consumers.
Type of grain and allergens Read which grains the mix contains and check both the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. When choosing between wheat, multigrain and buckwheat, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are in my mix. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.
Preparation and additions Check which ingredients you need to add to the batter and whether the packaging includes a suitable preparation method. I want to know in advance whether I can use milk, eggs or a suggested plant-based alternative; this is the most important buying question for around 25% of consumers.
Baking biscuits Check whether there’s a specific biscuit recipe for the mix; instructions for pan batter don’t explain how to bake biscuits in the oven. If I want to bake biscuits, I don’t want to assume pancake batter will give the same result. This baking goal is a priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing organic with allergen-free

    The organic pancake mixes from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Koopmans contain cereals with gluten. For the Smaakt buckwheat mix, Jumbo warns that it may contain traces of nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds and soya.

    Use the organic label to check the origin of the ingredients, but read the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging separately to check for allergens.

  • Treating pan batter as biscuit dough

    The preparation methods described for the pancake mixes reviewed are for batter cooked in a frying pan. They don’t specify a baking time or the result you can expect from oven-baked biscuits.

    Choose a biscuit recipe or biscuit mix. If you do want to use pancake mix, follow a recipe that specifically explains how to use it this way.

  • Assuming an online description is the definitive label

    Albert Heijn notes that product information about ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid an ingredient.

    Read the label on the packaging before use and check that the information applies to the option you’ve chosen.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo Biologisch Pannenkoekenmix is made with organic wheat flour.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists a 400 g pack and states that it contains organic wheat flour.
  • The mix contains wheat and gluten; the standard preparation requires milk and eggs.

Albert Heijn

AH Biologisch Mix voor pannenkoeken meergranen combines spelt, rye and wheat, among other grains.

  • Albert Heijn displays the EU organic logo and an organic control code for this mix.
  • The mix contains cereals with gluten; check the other allergen information and the preparation method you choose, too.

Smaakt

Smaakt Bio Boekweit Pannenkoekenmix is aimed at shoppers looking for a pancake mix made mainly with buckwheat.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, the mix is made up of 90% organic buckwheat flour and also contains tapioca flour.
  • Jumbo warns that it may contain traces of nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds and soya; the standard preparation uses milk and eggs.

Koopmans

Koopmans Pannenkoeken Bio Meergranen is an organic multigrain pancake mix.

  • The product information lists wheat and oats as ingredients in this option.
  • According to Jumbo’s preparation information, the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be thoroughly heated.

Leev

Leev Biologische Oermix spelt pannenkoeken is a spelt-based mix with buckwheat flour and salt.

  • Albert Heijn states that this option contains 91% organic spelt flour.
  • The mix contains spelt and gluten and, according to the product information, may contain traces of nuts.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a pancake mix is organic?

Look for the EU organic logo, organic label and control code on the packaging. Skal Biocontrole states that the EU organic logo is compulsory for pre-packaged food produced in the EU and sold as organic.

Is organic pancake mix automatically gluten-free?

No. The organic wheat-based and multigrain mixes described here contain ingredients such as wheat, spelt, rye or oats. Always check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging of the option you’re buying.

Can I use organic pancake mix to make biscuits as it is?

Not as a direct substitute based on the preparation methods described: these are intended for pancake batter cooked in a frying pan. For oven-baked biscuits, use a specific biscuit recipe or biscuit mix, or follow a recipe that expressly lists pancake mix as an ingredient.

What do I need to add to the mix?

It varies by option, so follow the instructions on the packaging. The standard methods described use milk and eggs and call for cooking fat; Albert Heijn also describes a plant-based preparation option for its multigrain mix.

Can I eat pancake batter raw?

Don’t eat Koopmans Pannenkoeken Bio Meergranen mix as raw batter. Jumbo’s preparation information says that this option’s batter must be thoroughly heated.