Choose a mix with a distinctive flavour if the pancake itself is the star of the dessert, or a neutral mix if you want fruit, cream or ice cream to take centre stage. A complete mix that only needs water saves you preparation after the barbecue. Just check how many pancakes it makes and which allergens are listed on the packaging.
Want your pancake to have a recognisable dessert flavour without an elaborate finishing touch? PLUS describes Koopmans Speculoos as a mix containing speculoos pieces. With a neutral base, you can choose the flavour yourself with toppings such as fruit, cream or ice cream.
If the pancakes are served after the main course, it’s worth considering what else you need to add to the batter. Albert Heijn says Koopmans Compleet only needs water and makes around 10 pancakes. A shaker can be handy for a smaller portion, but may need a different liquid.
If someone needs to avoid gluten, milk or eggs, the full allergen information matters more than the name on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information on pre-packed products’ labels; PLUS states that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain eggs and milk.
First decide whether you want the flavour to come from the mix or the toppings. Then choose a preparation method and yield that suit your barbecue plans, and check the allergens before buying.
Choose this option: if you want the pancake itself to have a distinct sweet flavour. PLUS describes Koopmans Speculoos as containing speculoos pieces and making around 8 pancakes.
The trade-off: the flavour is already decided, leaving less scope for a completely different finish, such as a savoury one.
Choose this option: if you want your guests to add their own toppings, such as fruit, cream or ice cream. An original mix lets those toppings take centre stage.
The trade-off: according to Koopmans, you’ll also need milk, eggs and butter for Koopmans Origineel.
Choose this option: if you want to spend less time preparing batter after the barbecue. According to Albert Heijn, you only need to add water to Koopmans Compleet to make the batter.
The trade-off: you have less control over the base mix; check the ingredients too, and have cooking fat ready.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert flavour | Check whether the mix already contains flavourings or leaves room for your own toppings. Look at the stated yield. | If you want the pancake itself to stand out, a recognisable flavour or carefully chosen topping matters most. Around 27% of consumers would put dessert flavour and presentation first when buying. |
| Ease of preparation | Check which liquid, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need, and whether the pack size suits the portion you want to make. | If you want to start cooking straight after the main course, you won’t want to find yourself hunting around for extra batter ingredients. For around 20% of consumers, minimal preparation would be the main priority. |
| Yield and variety | Compare the number of pancakes each pack makes and check whether the mix’s flavour works with a range of toppings. | When catering for several guests, you’ll want to make enough pancakes without giving everyone the same topping. Around 27% of consumers would therefore prioritise yield and choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about traces. Also consider shared cooking utensils and toppings. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, you need to assess the whole preparation process, not just the mix. For around 26% of consumers, that check would be their main buying priority. |
A speculoos flavour gives the pancake an instant dessert feel, but it may not suit guests who would also like a neutral or savoury pancake.
Choose a flavoured mix if it suits your guests. Otherwise, make a neutral base and serve a selection of toppings separately.
Original and complete mixes have different preparation instructions. According to the manufacturer, Koopmans Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter; Albert Heijn says you only need water for the batter when using Koopmans Compleet.
Read the instructions before you go shopping, and have the required cooking fat ready too.
A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a mix is also free from milk or eggs. PLUS states that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain eggs and milk.
Check the current packaging and, if someone has a strict allergen requirement, use clean, separate cooking utensils and suitable toppings.
Leftovers need attention once dessert is over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
Leave leftovers to cool, store them covered and stick to those storage times.
Koopmans offers several pancake mixes, including an original base, a complete mix and a speculoos version. Each one answers different questions about flavour and preparation.
Albert Heijn stocks its own mixes, including plain, complete and organic multigrain options, alongside branded products.
Homemade offers a complete pancake mix which, according to Albert Heijn, only needs water added to the batter.
These Joybuy products offer different starting points for dessert: a complete mix or a shaker for a smaller portion, mixes you can finish with your own toppings, and a milk-flavoured option. Above all, match the required ingredients and the quantity you want to make to the size of your group.
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A complete mix for making a smaller batch with minimal preparation after the barbecue.
The pack contains 210 g of mix. Remember to allow for the water and cooking fat you’ll need; if allergens are a concern, check the current label.
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A mix for making pancakes for several guests to enjoy with their choice of toppings.
The pack contains 400 g of mix. Add milk, eggs and cooking fat to your shopping list, and check the current allergen information.
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A neutral base when you want to create the dessert flavour with your own toppings and leave room for other ways to serve it.
The pack contains 400 g of mix. You’ll also need to plan for milk, eggs and cooking fat; read the current label if allergens are a concern.
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A shaker for a smaller portion when you want to offer each guest different toppings.
The pack contains 175 g of mix. Have milk ready and check that the yield suits your group; if allergens are a concern, read the label.
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A milk-flavoured option if you’d like the pancake itself to have an extra hint of flavour.
The pack contains 100 g of mix. Check the preparation instructions and yield before planning to serve this mix to several guests.
Choose a flavoured mix if you want the pancake itself to give the dessert its flavour; choose a neutral mix if you want to decide the flavour with toppings. PLUS describes Koopmans Speculoos as containing speculoos pieces, while you can finish an original base with toppings such as fruit, cream or ice cream.
For the complete mixes from Koopmans and Homemade described by Albert Heijn, you add water to the batter instead of milk and eggs. You’ll still need butter or oil for cooking, and should follow the instructions on the specific pack; an original Koopmans mix needs different additions.
Not without checking the individual mix. PLUS states that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain eggs and milk. Read the current allergen information and, when cooking, take care with shared utensils and toppings too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Leave leftovers to cool and store them covered.
Don’t taste the batter for the Koopmans mixes described here raw. The product information states that the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw; cook the pancakes according to the instructions on the packaging.
