For a family or small barbecue, packs of around 400 g are a practical choice if you want to offer a few different mixes. If you’re cooking for lots of guests or do so regularly, consider professional packs of 1 kg, 5 kg or 10 kg too. Work out how much you’ll need based on the yield per pack, and check the ingredients to add, allergens and storage instructions for an opened pack for each mix.
For a large family, street party or event, it’s worth comparing the yield you need with packs of around 400 g and professional sizes. Koopmans Professioneel offers mixes in 1 kg and 5 kg packs; Van de Meester also lists a 10 kg pack.
A complete mix can be handy if you don’t want to add milk and eggs at the barbecue. According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Compleet only needs water. A shaker bottle is another option: the 200 g PLUS bottle needs milk, and the mixed batter should be used straight away.
Wholegrain, gluten-free and complete describe different properties of a mix. Check the ingredients and allergen information on every pack you choose, and keep preparation and serving separate if cross-contact could be a concern for your guests.
First, decide how many pancakes you want to make. Then choose a pack size and preparation method that suit your location, and check the ingredients for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield and pack size | Compare the stated yield for the exact mix with the number of pancakes you want to make. Albert Heijn lists around 12 pancakes for AH Naturel 400 g and around 10 for Koopmans Compleet 400 g; don’t use these figures for other varieties. | If I’m cooking for a large group, I want to know I can make enough batter without having to open another pack each time. For around 42% of consumers, getting the quantity right comes first. |
| Preparing on site | Check whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, and when to use the mixed batter. Albert Heijn specifies 700 ml of water for Koopmans Compleet; PLUS says its shaker bottle should be used straight after mixing. | With limited worktop space, I want to be able to plan the ingredients and preparation steps in advance. Around 33% of consumers say ease of preparation is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for every mix, including wholegrain and gluten-free varieties. Also check whether you need to keep ingredients and cooking utensils separate. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the mix’s name alone. For around 25% of consumers, making sure the food is suitable for their guests is their main concern. |
If you’re making several batches, using packs of around 400 g means opening more packs and measuring out ingredients more often. Professional mixes are also available in 1 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg sizes.
First work out how many pancakes you want to make. Then compare the yield and preparation instructions for the exact products, and think about how you’ll store an opened pack.
The PLUS shaker bottle contains 200 g of mix, needs milk and, according to PLUS, should be used straight after mixing. That takes different planning from a bag of dry mix that you prepare in separate batches.
Before deciding how many packs you need, check the size of the product you’ve chosen and its instructions for adding ingredients, mixing and use.
PLUS states that its wholegrain mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour. That is not the same composition as the gluten-free Koopmans mix described by Jumbo.
If guests have specific dietary requirements or allergies, read the current label for every mix. Also consider whether ingredients and cooking utensils need to be kept separate during preparation.
If you have pancakes left over, how long they’re stored for matters. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Cook manageable batches, and promptly refrigerate or freeze any leftover pancakes in line with the storage instructions.
Koopmans offers mixes for consumers as well as a professional range, including 1 kg and 5 kg packs.
AH Naturel is a pancake mix sold in a 400 g pack.
PLUS offers complete, plain and wholegrain mixes, among other options, as well as a shaker bottle.
Albona is ALDI’s own brand, with standard pancake mixes in packs of around 400 g, among other products.
Van de Meester offers a 1 kg Oud Hollandse pancake mix and also lists a 10 kg size for catering use.
First decide how many pancakes you want to make, then divide that number by the yield stated on the exact pack. Round up to the next whole pack. Albert Heijn lists around 12 pancakes for AH Naturel 400 g and around 10 for Koopmans Compleet 400 g. For professional mixes, follow the instructions for the variety you choose.
If you’re making lots of pancakes, a 200 g shaker bottle will mean using several packs and preparing several batches. The PLUS shaker bottle reviewed also needs milk, and according to PLUS, the mixed batter should be used straight away. Compare the yield you need with that of larger packs or bags.
No. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. A wholegrain mix isn’t automatically gluten-free, and complete mixes may contain wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients. Also consider how to prevent cross-contact while cooking and serving.
Keep the ingredients and allergen information for every mix and topping you use to hand. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that consumers must also be given allergen information for non-prepacked foods; the requirements that apply to your service depend on the circumstances.
Store dry pancake mix in a cool, dry, dark place, in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you want to keep cooked pancakes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving them out of the fridge for more than two hours; refrigerate leftovers promptly or freeze them.
