Start with the requirement your guests can’t compromise on: if you want an organic option, check for the EU organic logo, the control body code and the country of origin. If anyone has dietary restrictions, read the allergen information for the specific mix. Then compare the types of flour to see what will work with your toppings, and check which milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need to add yourself. A mix containing buckwheat isn’t automatically gluten-free.
You’re putting a range of toppings on the table and want a pancake mix that’s certified organic, not just one in packaging that looks natural. The European Commission links the EU organic logo to organic certification. Check the logo and the accompanying details on the packaging before choosing a type of flour.
You want to know in advance whether the mix and the finished batter are suitable for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients. Read the current allergen declaration and information about possible traces. If gluten needs to be avoided, buckwheat or spelt in the ingredients isn’t a substitute for an explicit gluten-free label.
You want to know how many pancakes you can make and what else you’ll need to add to your shopping list. Compare the yield and preparation instructions for each pack, so you don’t discover you need milk, eggs and cooking fat halfway through cooking.
First, decide whether organic certification or a dietary restriction is the main factor in your choice. Then compare the flour base with your toppings in mind, and read the recipe on the packaging before you buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check the EU organic logo, the code of the control body and the country of origin on the packaging. | I want to serve my guests a mix that’s demonstrably organic, rather than judging by the look of the pack. Around 29% of consumers put this certification first. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the information about ingredients and possible traces. If you need a gluten-free option, look for an explicit gluten-free product label. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to check the exact mix and anything added to the batter. For around 29% of consumers, dietary and allergen questions are the main concern. |
| Flour base and toppings | Compare the types of flour listed and choose a base that will work with the sweet or savoury toppings you plan to serve. | I want the type of flour to suit the range of toppings on the table, without making assumptions about allergens. This flavour choice comes first for around 24% of consumers. |
| Preparing for a group | Check which milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need, and how many pancakes the pack is said to make. | When I’m cooking for a group, I want to know in advance what to buy and how many pancakes the recipe makes. Around 18% of consumers give this preparation top priority. |
Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat and oats. A different type of flour in a product name doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the whole mix is gluten-free.
Does a guest need a gluten-free option? Look for a mix that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the current packaging for information about other allergens and possible traces too.
Recipes vary from product to product. Jumbo says its organic wheat mix needs 1.000 ml milk and 2 eggs; according to PLUS, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix needs 900 ml milk, 4 eggs and butter or oil.
Read the preparation instructions for your chosen mix before you shop. If you need to cater for preferences around milk, eggs or vegan cooking, check all the ingredients you’ll be adding to the batter yourself too.
A type of flour or a description such as ‘artisan’ doesn’t prove that a mix is certified organic. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an approved control authority or control body.
If you’re choosing an organic product, check the logo, control body code and country of origin on the pack. Then consider flavour and nutritional information separately.
Koopmans’ product information for its organic multigrain mix says that the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be heated thoroughly.
Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging and don’t serve raw batter.
Koopmans says its organic multigrain mix combines wheat, oat, maize and buckwheat flour. PLUS says the 400 g pack makes 12–14 pancakes.
Jumbo sells a 400 g organic pancake mix made with wheat flour.
Ekoplaza stocks an organic mix made with wheat and buckwheat flour, as well as a separate gluten-free variety containing ingredients such as rice flour, potato starch, maize starch and buckwheat flour.
According to the product information, Smaakt’s organic buckwheat mix contains 90% buckwheat flour, as well as tapioca flour.
For a pre-packed mix sold as organic in the EU, check the EU organic logo, the code of the control body and the country of origin. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an approved control authority or control body.
No. Organic and gluten-free are separate product claims. For example, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat and oats. If gluten needs to be avoided, look for a variety explicitly labelled gluten-free and check for other allergens and possible traces too.
Not with the standard recipes described for the multigrain and buckwheat mixes mentioned here, which require milk and eggs. If you want to use a different recipe, check the ingredients in the specific mix as well as everything you add to the batter.
It depends on the mix you choose and how many pancakes you want to serve. PLUS says a 400 g pack of Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix makes 12–14 pancakes and needs 900 ml milk, 4 eggs and butter or oil. Check the quantities on the pack you buy.
Yes. Use the current packaging to check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the mix you’re going to prepare. Albert Heijn points out that this product information can change, so it recommends reading the packaging before use.
