Small barbecue gatherings
Are you cooking for one or a few people, with pancakes as an extra alongside the barbecue? Compare the stated yield of smaller packs. According to Joybuy, the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes.
Which quantity is right for you?
Cooking for several guests
If you’re serving pancakes to a larger group, a standard pack may be better suited to the quantity you have in mind. Koopmans says its Origineel pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes; Albert Heijn lists around 12 for AH Naturel.
Buying for someone with dietary requirements or allergies
Give the packaging and preparation instructions more weight than the pack size. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety you’re buying, including anything you’ll add to the batter yourself.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many pancakes you need. Then compare the preparation instructions and check the ingredients if you’re cooking for guests with dietary requirements or allergies.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A small portion | Compare both the net weight and the stated yield per pack. | If pancakes are just a small side dish, I don’t want to make more than we’ll eat. For around 40% of consumers, portion control comes first. |
| Enough for your guests | Check how many pancakes the manufacturer says the pack makes and which ingredients you’ll need to add. | When several guests are eating, I want to make sure there are enough pancakes to serve. Around 30% of consumers give yield the highest priority. |
| Less preparation | Read what you need to add to the batter and whether you’ll also need cooking fat. | With all the other barbecue preparations, I want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible. This convenience comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information, including for any ingredients you need to add. | If I’m cooking for a guest with specific dietary requirements or allergies, the variety I choose needs to be suitable. For around 10% of consumers, this check is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing pack weight alone
A small pack doesn’t tell you by itself how many pancakes you’ll make. Joybuy says a 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes, while Koopmans says its Origineel pack makes 11 to 13.
Plan for the number of people eating and compare that with the pack’s stated yield before choosing a size.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means ‘nothing else needed’
For the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes described here, you add water to make the batter, but you may still need butter or oil for cooking. The name also doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Read both the preparation instructions and the ingredients list for the variety you choose.
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Relying on an online description instead of the label
If someone has an allergy, the ingredients on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying are what matter. For Belbake, Lidl refers shoppers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Before cooking, check the current packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen.
Brands compared
Koopmans
Koopmans offers standard and complete pancake mixes. Pay particular attention to the yield and what you need to add to the batter.
- Koopmans says Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes; the brand lists 8 to 10 for Compleet.
- Koopmans says to add milk and eggs to Origineel, and water to Compleet. Also check what you’ll need for cooking each variety.
AH
Albert Heijn lists own-brand plain, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- AH says its Mix voor pannenkoeken naturel makes around 12 pancakes per pack.
- Check which ingredients you need to add to the mix you choose; the yield for Naturel won’t necessarily apply to other varieties.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand plain and complete mixes, including 200 g packs.
- A 200 g pack gives you another size to compare with larger packs.
- Also compare the yield and preparation instructions: weight alone doesn’t determine the portion you’ll get.
PLUS
At PLUS, you can weigh up a standard plain mix against a complete mix.
- PLUS says to add water to the batter for Complete.
- According to the preparation instructions, you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking; the standard preparation for PLUS Naturel also calls for milk and eggs.
Albona
Albona is ALDI’s pancake mix brand.
- ALDI describes its plain mix as a variety prepared with milk and eggs.
- Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergens.
Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel.
- It’s an option to compare with other original pancake mixes.
- For food products, Lidl refers shoppers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information. Check it if you have specific dietary requirements.
Joybuy products for smaller portions
These 100 to 210 g packs are worth considering if you’re looking for a smaller amount of mix. Compare the preparation instructions and yield for each product before deciding which one suits your barbecue.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
An option for a smaller portion: according to the product information, the 210 g pack makes 4 to 6 pancakes.
According to the same information, you add water to make the batter. If you have allergies, check the ingredients on the current packaging.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
This 175 g shaker bottle is a size to consider for a small portion of pancakes.
Remember to allow for the milk needed to make the batter. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu Pancake Mix with Milk Flavor 100 g
The pack contains 100 g of mix. Before choosing this size for your guests, check how many pancakes the preparation instructions say it makes.
Also check that the preparation method and type of pancake suit what you want to serve; the description says to add water and an egg.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete 200 g
The 200 g pack is a smaller size to compare with a standard pack. Check the yield and preparation instructions to work out how much you’ll need.
If you have dietary requirements or allergies, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Will a small pack always prevent leftovers?
No. The right amount depends on how many people are eating and what part pancakes play in your barbecue. Joybuy says the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes, while Koopmans says its Origineel pack makes 11 to 13. If you do make more than you need, the Voedingscentrum says cooked pancakes can be kept in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
What does ‘complete’ mean on pancake mix?
For the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes described here, you add water to make the batter instead of measuring out milk and eggs yourself. Check the instructions for your variety: you may still need butter or oil for cooking, and ‘complete’ doesn’t tell you anything about allergens.
Can I make standard pancake mix with plant-based ingredients?
For AH Mix voor pannenkoeken naturel, Albert Heijn describes a method using a plant-based drink and an egg substitute. Don’t assume this applies to every mix: check the ingredients in the dry mix and the preparation instructions for the variety you choose.
Where should I check for allergens when cooking for guests?
Check the label on the exact pack you’re using, and include any ingredients you add yourself. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for prepacked foods, relevant allergens from a group of 14 must be clearly stated on the label.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store the mix in a cool, dry, dark place and keep it tightly sealed, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the instructions on the packaging of your mix.