For a large family, an organic pancake mix is a good choice if you can check the organic certification on the pack and know how many pancakes and extra ingredients you’ll need. According to PLUS, Koopmans Bio Meergranen makes 12–14 pancakes per pack. AH Biologisch offers a mix with spelt, rye and wheat, while buckwheat flour is the main ingredient in Smaakt Bio Boekweit. Whichever you choose, check the current ingredients and allergen information: organic does not mean allergen-free.
You’re looking for a ready-made mix with organic certification you can check on the pack, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency identifies the EU organic logo as a way to recognise certified organic products.
You’re cooking for several people and want to know how many packs you’ll need, as well as how much milk, how many eggs and how much cooking fat to get ready. The stated yield can help, but be sure to read the recipe on the pack you’re using too.
You’re looking for a particular type of grain or need to consider ingredients and possible cross-contamination. Organic certification is no substitute for checking the current ingredients list and allergen warnings.
First, check the organic certification. Then compare the quantities you’ll need for a family meal, and read the ingredients if the type of grain or allergens are important to your household.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check the pack for the EU organic logo, the control code and details of the agricultural origin. According to the European Commission, the logo is used on products certified as organic by an authorised body. | When preparing a family meal, I want to be able to check that the mix is organic, rather than relying on how the packaging looks; around 42% of consumers put this certification check first. |
| Family portions | Check the stated yield and recipe per pack, and see how much milk, how many eggs and how much cooking fat you’ll need when preparing several packs. | When I’m cooking for the whole family, I want to know in advance whether I have enough batter and ingredients. Portion planning matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Grains and allergens | Compare the types of grain in the ingredients list and check both the declared allergens and any warnings about possible traces. | I want to choose a grain base that suits our household and make sure I don’t miss anything on the label; around 25% of consumers put this ingredients and allergen check first. |
AH, Jumbo and Koopmans organic mixes contain cereals with gluten. The product information for Smaakt Bio Boekweit warns that it may contain nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya, among other allergens.
Use the EU organic logo to check the organic certification, but always read the current pack label for ingredients and allergens.
According to the product information, AH’s multigrain mix contains spelt, rye and wheat, while Koopmans’ contains wheat and oats. Smaakt Bio Boekweit is made up of 90% buckwheat flour. The product name doesn’t tell you what other ingredients or warnings are listed on the pack.
Compare the full ingredients list before choosing a mix for a particular grain base.
The product information for Koopmans Bio Meergranen says not to eat the batter raw and to cook it thoroughly.
Follow the cooking instructions on the pack and make sure the pancakes are cooked through.
These examples show how differences in grain base, stated yield and preparation can matter when you’re making a family meal.
Albert Heijn’s organic multigrain mix comes in a 400 g pack and contains spelt, rye and wheat.
Jumbo Biologisch Pannenkoekenmix is a 400 g organic mix made with wheat.
Koopmans Bio Meergranen is a 400 g organic multigrain mix containing wheat and oats.
Smaakt Bio Boekweit Pannenkoekenmix is a 400 g organic mix for anyone looking for buckwheat flour as the main ingredient.
Look on the pack for the EU organic logo, the control code and details of the origin of the agricultural ingredients. According to the European Commission, the logo is for products certified as organic by an authorised control authority or control body. It is compulsory for most pre-packed organic food produced in the EU and sold as organic.
No. Organic certification doesn’t mean a mix is gluten-free or allergen-free. The AH, Jumbo and Koopmans mixes mentioned here contain cereals with gluten; check the current ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack of every mix.
It depends on the mix and how many packs you’re using. According to the product information, one pack of Jumbo Biologisch calls for 1.000 ml of milk and 2 eggs, Koopmans Bio Meergranen needs 900 ml of milk and 4 eggs, and Smaakt Bio Boekweit needs 900 ml of milk and 5 eggs. Check the pack for cooking fat and any other additions too.
Don’t taste Koopmans Bio Meergranen batter raw: according to the product information, it must be cooked thoroughly. Follow the cooking instructions on the pack of whichever mix you’re using and make sure the pancakes are cooked through.
