Families with fussy eaters
An original mix gives you a familiar base when not everyone wants the same kind of pancake. You can serve toppings separately and, if you like, make a wholegrain version as well.
Who is each option for?
Party planners who consider the grains
If you’d also like to serve a wholegrain or multigrain mix after the Easter egg hunt, you can compare the ingredient lists. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean that wholemeal flour is the main ingredient.
Organisers short on preparation time
A complete mix can reduce the number of separate ingredients you need for the batter. Before choosing one for a group, check the liquid and cooking fat required, as well as how many pancakes it makes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most to your group: a familiar base, the type of grains or less preparation. Then check the ingredients and allergen information on the label of each option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who might find this important? |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar base | Check whether it’s an original mix or one with a distinct wholegrain or multigrain composition. | When fussy eaters are joining us, I don’t want everyone to have to try an unfamiliar grain option. For roughly 40% of consumers, a familiar base comes first. |
| Wholegrain or multigrain | Check which types of flour appear first in the ingredients list; wholegrain and multigrain don’t mean the same thing. | Alongside the party toppings, I want to choose a mix with wholemeal flour or different grains, even if not everyone prefers that taste. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this choice of grains. |
| Preparation | Compare how much liquid and which other ingredients you need to add, and how many pancakes the pack makes. | After the Easter egg hunt, I want to make batter without getting lots of separate ingredients ready. Preparation is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check both the ingredients and any statements about the possible presence of allergens on the current label. | If someone in the group needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know exactly what’s in this particular mix before serving it. For around 10% of consumers, this check is the first condition of purchase. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholegrain
A multigrain mix can combine different types of flour without having wholemeal flour as its main ingredient. Koopmans lists wheat flour, along with smaller amounts of wholemeal oat and barley flour, among the ingredients in its Multigrain mix.
If you specifically want a wholegrain base, look for wholemeal flour as the main ingredient on the list.
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Overlooking ‘may contain’ statements
The mixes reviewed differ in the allergens they contain and may contain. So a general assumption about a brand or type of mix is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re using.
Before preparing the mix, read the ingredients and allergen statements on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label.
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Assuming a small pack will be enough for the whole group
A shaker and a larger pack may be intended to make different quantities of pancakes. A quick preparation method doesn’t, by itself, tell you how many pancakes you’ll have for your group.
Decide how many pancakes you want to make and compare this with the yield shown on the pack. If you like, serve toppings separately for guests with different preferences.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of pancake mix. Compare the specific product and its current label rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers original, multigrain and complete pancake mixes, so you can weigh up the grain composition and preparation method for each option.
- Koopmans says to add milk, eggs and butter or oil to its Original mix; for the Complete mix reviewed, the brand specifies water for the batter.
- The options reviewed differ in their ingredients and potential allergens. Always check the label on the pack you choose.
AH
The AH wholegrain mix is an option if you’re specifically looking for a mix based on wholemeal wheat flour.
- Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour as the first ingredient and also provides a plant-based preparation option.
- The dry mix contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and may contain egg. Preparing it using the plant-based method doesn’t change this label information.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers original, complete and wholegrain mixes, among others. You can compare the wholegrain option’s ingredients in detail.
- For its wholegrain mix reviewed, Jumbo lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour, 20% wholemeal oat flour and 4.2% wholemeal buckwheat flour.
- The product information lists cereals containing gluten and the possible presence of barley, egg and milk, among other allergens.
PLUS
PLUS offers both a wholegrain mix and a complete mix. One is about the types of flour; the other is about what you need to add to the batter.
- PLUS lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour in its wholegrain mix. For the complete mix reviewed, PLUS says to add water to the batter.
- You’ll still need cooking fat for the complete mix. Check the current allergen information for both options.
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona multigrain mix for anyone considering a mix with different grains but not specifically looking for a wholegrain option.
- ALDI’s product description makes it clear that this is a multigrain mix.
- For information about ingredients or allergens, base your choice on the details on the current packaging.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
This selection includes a multigrain mix, an original mix and two packs for anyone who wants a different way to prepare the batter. Choose according to your group’s preferences and check the additions required and the yield for each pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix – 400 g
An option if you’d like to serve a grain-based mix alongside an original pancake. Before making pancakes for your group, compare the types of flour, preparation instructions and allergen information on this pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix – 400 g
A classic base for a group with fussy eaters. Koopmans lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour and rye flour in its Original mix; it isn’t a wholegrain mix. Check how much milk, how many eggs and how much cooking fat you need for this pack.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete – 210 g
A complete mix for anyone who wants to get fewer separate ingredients ready for the batter after the Easter egg hunt. Check the pack to see which liquid and cooking fat you need, and whether the yield is right for your group.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes – 175 g
A shaker pack for anyone who wants to make batter without a separate mixing bowl. Before buying, check which liquid you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multigrain mix the same as a wholegrain mix?
No. A multigrain mix combines different types of grain, but that doesn’t mean wholemeal flour is the main ingredient. Koopmans lists wheat flour, wholemeal oat flour and wholemeal barley flour among the ingredients in its Multigrain mix. If you specifically want a wholegrain option, check the ingredients list on the pack.
Which mix means less preparation after the Easter egg hunt?
A complete mix can reduce the number of separate ingredients you need for the batter. For the Complete mix reviewed, Koopmans specifies water; PLUS says to add water to its complete mix, as well as butter or oil for cooking. Check the instructions for the option you choose, and allow for cooking time for the whole group too.
Where can I check the allergens in a pancake mix?
Read the allergen information on the current packaging, including any statements about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. Ingredients and allergens can vary between mixes.
Can I prepare a wholegrain mix without animal products?
Some mixes include instructions for a plant-based preparation method. Albert Heijn, for example, provides one for its AH wholegrain mix. Check the instructions for your pack separately from the ingredients and allergen information for the dry mix; the AH mix contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and may contain egg.