If you want to check the organic status
A natural-looking pack isn’t enough for you. Check the current pack for an organic label and the EU organic logo; the Dutch government explains how to recognise certified organic products.
Choose a pancake mix whose organic status and allergen information you can check on the current pack. For a dinner party, the ingredients you need to add, the yield and the cooking time also help you decide whether a wheat, multigrain or buckwheat mix suits your menu and guests.
A natural-looking pack isn’t enough for you. Check the current pack for an organic label and the EU organic logo; the Dutch government explains how to recognise certified organic products.
If your guests have allergies or specific dietary requirements, the grains and any precautionary allergen warnings matter, as do the ingredients you add to the batter and toppings. An organic label alone doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free or allergen-free.
You’ll want to know in advance how much batter to make and what else you need to have in the house. According to PLUS, one 400 g pack of Koopmans Bio Meergranen makes 12–14 pancakes and the recipe calls for milk, eggs and cooking fat.
First, decide which grain base will suit your menu. Then check the pack for organic status, allergens and preparation instructions before working out how much you’ll need for your guests.
A good fit for: a classic pancake base; Jumbo describes its 400 g organic mix as being made with wheat flour.
Keep in mind: the mix contains wheat and gluten; Jumbo’s recipe also calls for milk and eggs.
A good fit for: a menu featuring sweet or savoury pancakes. Albert Heijn and Koopmans use different combinations of grains in their organic varieties.
Keep in mind: these mixes contain gluten-containing grains, and the ingredients you need to add and preparation instructions vary by pack.
A good fit for: a menu where you want buckwheat as the main ingredient. PLUS lists Smaakt as a mix containing 90% organic buckwheat flour.
Keep in mind: the warning that the product may contain traces of peanuts, soya, nuts and sesame, among other allergens; check the current label to see whether it meets your dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic status | Check the current pack for an organic label and the EU organic logo. | I want to be able to confirm that the dry mix is actually labelled organic, rather than relying on the look of the packaging. For around 27% of consumers, this would be the top priority. |
| Yield and preparation | Check the stated yield, ingredients you need to add and preparation method; make sure they work with the pans you have available. | If I’m cooking for several guests, I want to be able to plan the batter and cooking so I don’t run short of ingredients while serving. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise preparation above all else. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the grains, allergens and precautionary allergen warnings on the pack, as well as anything you plan to add. | If a guest has a relevant allergy, I need to make sure the entire preparation is suitable for what they avoid. For around 27% of consumers, ingredients and allergens would be the most important factors. |
| Sweet or savoury menu | Choose a wheat, multigrain or buckwheat base that goes with your planned toppings. | I want to decide in advance whether the pancakes will be the savoury course, dessert or both. Around 13% of consumers would make the menu their main consideration. |
According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s organic multigrain mix contains spelt, rye and wheat. A buckwheat base on its own also doesn’t confirm that a product meets a specific dietary requirement.
Discuss any relevant allergies with your guests in advance and check the current label on your chosen mix, including the ingredients and precautionary allergen warnings. Check any ingredients you add and the toppings too.
The recipes we looked at vary in what you need to add. Jumbo’s mix calls for milk and eggs; according to PLUS, Koopmans Bio Meergranen requires milk, eggs and butter or oil.
Make your shopping list based on the recipe on the pack you choose, and plan your toppings separately.
A stated yield doesn’t mean you’ll have a ready-made stack of pancakes: you still need to prepare the batter and cook the pancakes one at a time or in small batches.
Read the preparation instructions in advance and plan your cooking around the pan space you have and when you want to serve.
When organic status or allergens are crucial, the information on the pack you actually use is what matters.
Use product pages to compare your options, then check the packaging again before you start preparing the mix.
According to Albert Heijn, its 400 g organic multigrain mix contains spelt, rye and wheat. The product page lists the EU organic logo and Skal 001920.
Jumbo describes its 400 g organic pancake mix as a blend based on organic wheat flour.
Koopmans lists an EKO quality mark for its organic multigrain mix. According to PLUS, the 400 g pack makes 12–14 pancakes.
According to PLUS, the 400 g organic buckwheat pancake mix contains 90% organic buckwheat flour, as well as tapioca flour.
Check the packaging for an organic label and the EU organic logo. The Dutch government describes this logo as a way to identify certified organic food; check the current pack when you buy.
No, an organic label doesn’t mean a mix is gluten-free. According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s organic multigrain mix contains spelt, rye and wheat; if you have a specific dietary requirement, always check the current label on the product you’ve chosen.
It depends on the mix and recipe. Albert Heijn describes a plant-based preparation option for its organic multigrain mix; the preparation instructions we consulted for Jumbo and Koopmans call for milk and eggs. Before you shop, check which ingredients your chosen recipe requires.
Use the yield stated on the specific pack as a starting point, then decide how many pancakes you want to serve as part of your menu. According to PLUS, one 400 g pack of Koopmans Bio Meergranen makes 12–14 pancakes; for other mixes, check their individual yields and preparation instructions.
Don’t serve Koopmans Bio Meergranen batter raw: the product information warns that it must be heated thoroughly. Cook the pancakes through before serving.