If you’re serving pancakes alongside or after pea soup, first choose the preparation method that suits you: with a basic mix, you add the ingredients yourself, while a complete mix may need fewer additions. Don’t assume that ordinary pancake mix will automatically make thick, easy-to-slice pancakes. Compare a mix for American pancakes separately if that’s the style you want, and always check the preparation instructions and ingredients.
If you want to cut your pancakes into wedges or strips after pea soup, look beyond the name of the mix. PLUS describes its ordinary mix as making a thin layer of batter, while Koopmans points out that batter can thicken as it stands. Neither of these details alone tells you how firm the cooked pancake will be.
Check what you need to add to the mix before you start making the soup. According to Koopmans, its Complete mix needs water, while PLUS’s bottled mix needs milk. So a shaker bottle doesn’t automatically mean you only need water.
If you have a food allergy, it’s important to check the information on the packaging of the exact variant, says the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Even with a mix prepared using water, look out for ingredients such as milk or egg, and check the allergen information.
First decide whether you want to compare ordinary pancakes or the distinct American pancake style. Then check which additions, pack size and ingredients suit the way you plan to prepare them.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness and thickness | Check whether it’s an ordinary pancake mix or a mix for American pancakes. Read the recommended amount of liquid and the cooking instructions. | I want to serve the pancakes in pieces after the soup, without assuming that thicker batter will automatically give me the result I want. This is expected to be the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Convenience and additions | Check which ingredients you need to add and whether you’ll use a bowl or shaker bottle. According to Koopmans, Koopmans Compleet needs water; other variants may need milk or eggs. | If I’m making soup at the same time, I want to keep extra steps and shopping to a minimum. Around 29% of consumers are expected to put convenience first. |
| Yield and pack size | Compare the pack weight with the stated yield when prepared according to the instructions. Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11–13 pancakes per pack; Lidl lists around 12 pancakes for its 400 g Belbake Origineel mix. | I want enough pancakes for everyone, but don’t want to buy a bigger pack than I need. This is expected to be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking for the ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol when choosing a gluten-free product. | If an ingredient isn’t suitable for me or my guests, I need to be able to find that out before I start cooking. This is expected to be the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
An ordinary pancake mix doesn’t promise thick slices. In fact, PLUS’s preparation instructions describe a thin layer of batter that spreads across the bottom of the pan; according to Koopmans, batter can thicken as it stands.
First choose the style of pancake you want to make, then follow the instructions for that mix. Stir thickened batter again and, only if needed, add liquid a little at a time.
Needing to add only water tells you nothing about all the ingredients in the powder. Koopmans lists milk and egg ingredients, among others, in its Complete mix.
If you have a food allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variant. If you need a gluten-free option, also look for an explicit statement on the label.
A basic mix, complete mix and shaker bottle don’t necessarily need the same additions. So a pack that looks convenient may not suit the ingredients you have at home.
Compare the pack weight, stated yield and full list of required additions before choosing.
Koopmans offers a basic mix, a complete mix and shaker bottle variants, among other options.
Its range distinguishes between ordinary pancake mixes and products for American pancakes.
Jumbo offers a 400 g Naturel pancake mix, among other options.
PLUS offers both boxed mixes and a 200 g bottle of pancake mix.
Albona is an ALDI baking brand that offers pancake mixes, including a multigrain variant.
Belbake is a Lidl baking brand that offers a 400 g original pancake mix.
These products include shaker bottle and basic pancake mixes, as well as another pancake mix. Don’t choose based solely on wanting thick slices: check the preparation instructions, required additions and ingredients for each variant.
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A shaker bottle to consider if you want to make a smaller batch and pour the batter straight from the bottle.
Pack size: 175 g. Check how much milk you need to add and how to use the mixed batter.
If you want firm, easy-to-slice pancakes, don’t rely on the product name alone; check the cooking instructions.
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A complete mix to compare if you want to add fewer separate ingredients when making a smaller batch.
Pack size: 210 g. Check the exact packaging to see what you need to add, and check the ingredients if milk or egg matters to you.
The word ‘Complete’ doesn’t guarantee that the cooked pancakes will be thick.
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A basic mix to consider if you want to measure out the additions yourself and are looking for a 400 g pack.
Before cooking, check which ingredients you need to add and read the grain and allergen information on the current packaging.
A larger pack or the name Wholegrains doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the pancakes will be firm enough to slice as you’d like.
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A basic option if you want to prepare the batter yourself and are looking for a 400 g pack.
Check the packaging to see what additions this Original variant needs, and check the ingredients on this exact pack.
Follow the cooking instructions; an ordinary mix won’t automatically give you the thicker style you want for slicing.
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A 100 g pack to consider if you want to mix the batter yourself and cook it in a pan.
Check the preparation quantities, ingredients and stated servings for this variant before deciding how many packs you need.
The product name doesn’t indicate how thick or firm enough to slice the pancakes will be.
No, ordinary mix doesn’t guarantee that. PLUS describes a standard preparation as making a thin layer of batter; choose and prepare the mix to suit the style of pancake you want to serve.
Stir the batter again and, only if needed, add liquid a little at a time. For thickened batter, Koopmans advises starting with one extra tablespoon of milk or water at a time; also follow the instructions for the mix you’ve chosen.
Look for a complete mix whose instructions call for water only, such as Koopmans Compleet, according to Koopmans. That doesn’t mean the mix itself is free from milk or egg, so check the ingredients separately.
No, check the exact packaging for the ingredients and an explicit gluten-free label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the words ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol as signs of gluten-free products.
Follow the instructions on the specific bottle. PLUS says that batter mixed with milk using its bottled pancake mix should be used straight away and not stored.
