To make pancakes on the barbecue, you’ll need a suitable flat griddle or plancha; you can’t cook runny batter on an open grill. Choose a clearly labelled wholemeal mix if wholegrains are your priority, and check the ingredients rather than relying on the name of a multigrain mix. A complete mix can mean fewer separate ingredients to bring along, but check what else you need to add and which allergens it contains.
If you want guests to choose their own familiar toppings, compare the grains listed on the packet before picking a base mix. Even a plain mix can contain several types of grain: Jumbo lists buckwheat flour and wholemeal oat flour, among other ingredients, in its Plain mix.
If you specifically want a wholemeal base, look for a mix that clearly states this. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes wholegrain cereal products from white products made with refined flour; the term ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether a mix is entirely wholemeal.
A complete mix can be handy if you only want to add water to the batter outdoors. PLUS says its Complete mix is made with water, but the mix also contains milk and egg. You’ll still need a suitable griddle and cooking fat.
First, check that your barbecue has a suitable flat cooking surface. Then choose the grain content and preparation method that suit your guests and the ingredients you want to bring along.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Grain content for fussy eaters | Check which flours are in the mix; don’t rely on the words ‘plain’ or ‘multigrain’ alone. | If my guests have very different preferences, I want to choose a base that lets me offer toppings to suit their tastes. Around 36% of consumers say having that choice matters most. |
| Wholemeal base | Check whether wholemeal flour is listed as the base, and compare nutritional information only on a like-for-like preparation basis. | If the ingredients in my pancake matter more to me than having a neutral base, I’ll look specifically for a wholemeal mix. Roughly 29% of consumers prioritise a wholemeal option. |
| Cooking outdoors | Check what you need to add to the mix, and make sure you have a suitable griddle or plancha. | I want to make batter on the spot without bringing lots of separate ingredients, but my barbecue also needs to be suitable. For around 21% of consumers, keeping preparation to a minimum is the main priority. |
| Availability | Check whether your shop stocks the variant you want, and read the label on the packet you’re taking home. | If I’m shopping just before a barbecue, the variant I’ve chosen needs to be available in my shop. For around 14% of consumers, practical availability comes first. |
A mix can contain several grains and still be made mostly from refined flour. Jumbo lists 78% wheat flour in Koopmans Multigrain.
If a wholemeal base is essential, choose a clearly labelled wholemeal variety and read the ingredients list on the packet.
Only needing to add water doesn’t tell you what’s already in the mix. The Complete mix described by PLUS contains milk and egg.
If you have allergies, check both the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Runny pancake batter won’t stay on an open grill. Weber uses an oiled griddle in its barbecue recipe.
Check that a flat griddle or plancha is suitable for your barbecue, and bring the cooking fat you’ll need.
You may need to arrange or borrow a suitable griddle in advance.
Batter left on an outdoor table needs extra care when it comes to food safety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping dishes containing raw egg chilled and throwing food away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Keep unused batter chilled, make smaller batches if needed, and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
Koopmans has separate wholemeal and multigrain pancake mixes.
AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix is worth considering if you want to check the grain content of your base mix.
Jumbo has a Plain mix and a Complete mix, each with different preparation options.
PLUS has separate wholemeal and complete pancake mixes.
ALDI offers Albona mixes in plain and multigrain varieties.
Lidl offers Belbake pancake mix in Original and Multigrain varieties.
These mixes offer a range of options for making pancakes on the barbecue, including complete, multigrain and other base mixes. Check the additions needed for each product on its packaging; you’ll still need a suitable flat cooking surface.
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A complete mix to consider if you want to bring fewer separate ingredients to the barbecue. Check the packaging to see what you need to add and whether the ingredients are suitable for your guests.
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A mix to compare if you’re considering different types of grain. Don’t assume from the name Wholegrains that the entire mix is wholemeal: read the ingredients list and check what you need to add during preparation.
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The shaker pack could be a handy option for making batter at the barbecue. Check the label to see which liquid to add and how many pancakes you can expect to make with this pack.
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A base mix to consider if guests will be choosing their own toppings. Check the grain content and preparation instructions before packing the other ingredients for your barbecue.
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Before taking this pack to a barbecue, check the preparation instructions and how many pancakes it makes. The words ‘Milk Flavor’ don’t tell you which milk ingredients or allergens the product contains; check the label for details.
No, runny batter needs a flat cooking surface. Use a griddle or plancha that’s suitable for your barbecue; Weber uses an oiled griddle in its recipe.
Not necessarily. Jumbo lists 78% wheat flour alongside other grains in Koopmans Multigrain. If you’re looking for a wholemeal base, choose a clearly labelled wholemeal variety based on its ingredients list.
A complete mix that only needs water can be a practical option. PLUS says its Complete mix is made with water and butter or oil for cooking, but the mix itself contains milk and egg; check the label if guests need to avoid these ingredients.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the labelling rules for prepacked foods; depending on the variety, allergens such as wheat, milk and egg may be relevant in the mixes discussed here.
Keep unused batter containing raw egg chilled until you’re ready to cook. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping dishes containing raw egg in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours and throwing food away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
