If you want to verify the organic status
A natural look on the packaging isn’t enough for you. Check the EU organic logo on the current pack: Skal Biocontrole states that it is mandatory on pre-packaged organic consumer products in the EU.
Who might find each option useful?
If you have a particular method of preparation in mind
For your Valentine’s Day breakfast, you’ll want to know whether the recipe calls for milk and eggs or suggests a plant-based option. Koopmans provides one for its Bio Meergranenmix, and Albert Heijn describes this option for its organic multigrain mix too. Check which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself.
If you’re comparing grains and allergens
Different mixes contain grains such as wheat, spelt, rye, oats and buckwheat. If particular ingredients or warnings about the possible presence of allergens matter to you, check the current ingredients list and allergen information for each product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the organic status, then decide which grains and method of preparation will suit your breakfast. Finally, compare the stated yield with the number of people you’re cooking for.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic status | Look for the EU organic logo on the current packaging and check which ingredients are labelled as organic. | I want to see that the product is genuinely organic, not just presented that way on the pack. Verifiable certification is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Grains and allergens | Read the ingredients list and the information about allergens present or potentially present. | If I need to avoid certain grains or allergens, I want to choose a mix based on its label rather than its product name. Grains and allergens are the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Method of preparation | Check what you need to add yourself and whether a plant-based method of preparation is suggested for the mix. | If I’m making breakfast without animal ingredients, I also want to be able to choose suitable additions for the recipe. Around 25% of consumers give the method of preparation top priority. |
| Yield | Compare the stated number of pancakes with the number of people you’re cooking for; pack weight and pancake yield aren’t the same thing. | Whether I’m cooking for two or planning a larger brunch, I want to know how much the recipe makes. Around 19% of consumers put the amount they need first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming organic means gluten-free, allergen-free or plant-based
Organic multigrain mixes may contain wheat, spelt, rye or oats, among other ingredients. Even if the manufacturer says a dry mix is plant-based, the standard recipe may still call for milk and eggs.
Read both the ingredients and allergen information, as well as the preparation instructions. Choose any substitute ingredients to suit the recipe, and check the information on the pack you buy.
-
Confusing pack weight with yield
The weight of a pack alone won’t tell you how many pancakes you can make for breakfast. Koopmans says its Bio Meergranenmix makes 13 to 15 pancakes per pack; other recipes and serving sizes may differ.
Work out how many people you’re cooking for, then check the yield and the ingredients you need to add on the packaging.
-
Assuming a listed mix is still available in store
A product listing doesn’t guarantee availability. Albert Heijn’s product page marks Leev Biologische Oermix Spelt as discontinued.
Before planning your Valentine’s Day breakfast, check whether your chosen mix is available at your local shop and whether the packaging still matches the product information you’ve seen.
Brands to consider
These product ranges differ mainly in the grains they use and their preparation instructions. Check the current label for the mix you choose: a brand name alone won’t tell you which ingredients or allergens it contains.
Albert Heijn Biologisch
Albert Heijn’s organic multigrain mix comes in a 400 g pack and contains spelt, rye and wheat.
- The product information displays the EU organic logo and also describes a plant-based preparation option.
- The mix contains gluten-containing grains. Also check the warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo Biologisch Pannenkoekenmix comes in a 400 g pack and is based on organic wheat flour.
- An option if you’re looking for a simple wheat mix for breakfast and want to add the ingredients for the recipe yourself.
- The standard recipe calls for milk and eggs. Wheat and gluten are present allergens; check the other allergen information too.
Koopmans
Koopmans Bio Meergranenmix combines wheat, oats, maize and buckwheat.
- Koopmans says each pack makes 13 to 15 pancakes and describes a plant-based method of preparation as well as the standard one.
- The mix contains wheat and oats and, according to the product information, may also contain egg, milk and rye. Check the label if these ingredients matter to you.
Smaakt
Smaakt Bio Boekweit Pannenkoekenmix comes in a 400 g pack and, according to the product information, contains 90% organic buckwheat flour, as well as tapioca flour.
- A focused choice if you want buckwheat to be the main ingredient in your mix.
- The standard recipe calls for milk and eggs. Also check the warning about the possible presence of nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya, among other allergens.
Leev
Leev Biologische Oermix Spelt is a spelt-based mix that also lists buckwheat flour.
- A product range to look at if you’re specifically after an organic spelt mix.
- Albert Heijn marks this mix as discontinued on its product page. Spelt contains gluten; if you find a pack, check its current allergen information too.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a pancake mix is organic?
Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, this certification is mandatory on pre-packaged organic consumer products in the EU. Also read the ingredients list: an organic label won’t tell you which grains or allergens the mix contains.
Can I make plant-based pancakes with an organic mix?
It depends on the mix and the ingredients you add. Koopmans describes a plant-based method of preparation for its Bio Meergranenmix, but the standard recipe uses milk and eggs. Check the current label and follow a suitable recipe for plant-based pancakes.
Is a pancake mix containing buckwheat automatically gluten-free?
No. Don’t assume it is just because the name includes buckwheat. Smaakt lists buckwheat flour and tapioca flour as ingredients in its Bio Boekweit Pannenkoekenmix. If you have a specific dietary requirement, always check the current allergen information and look for a gluten-free label on the packaging.
What else should I have ready besides the pancake mix?
It depends on the recipe. The standard preparation for Jumbo Biologisch calls for 1,000 ml of milk and 2 eggs; Smaakt Bio Boekweit calls for 900 ml of semi-skimmed milk and 5 eggs. Read the instructions on your own pack before breakfast so you’ll know whether you need anything for the pan too.