For runny pancake batter at a BBQ, use a pan or flat plancha rather than an open grill. The cooking instructions described here are for frying in a pan, and some of the mixes call for a thin layer of batter. Then choose a mix based on convenience and the ingredients you want to use. Cook a small test portion to see whether the pancake is thick and firm enough to cut into pieces.
You want to cut your cooked pancakes into sturdy pieces or strips. The cooking instructions for the mixes reviewed are for a pan, not for making a thick pancake on an open grill. So the cooking method deserves as much attention as your choice of mix.
You want to measure out as few ingredients as possible at the BBQ. According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, you only need to add water to Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete. The standard instructions for the wholemeal mixes discussed here also call for milk and eggs.
You want to make sure the mix and cooking method you choose are suitable for your guests. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack. If gluten-free is essential, choose a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free and take care to prevent cross-contamination while preparing it.
First, decide how you’ll cook the runny batter on a flat surface. Then compare what you need to add to the mix and whether the ingredients suit your guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness and ease of cutting | Check whether you can use a pan or flat plancha. Try out your preferred portion size and thickness before cooking for guests. | I want to serve the cooked pancake in easy-to-handle pieces, without assuming the mix will automatically make a thick slab. For around 33% of consumers considering mix for BBQ snacks, that snack format comes first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add. According to Albert Heijn and PLUS, you only need to add water to the complete mixes discussed here. | If I want to keep measuring and carrying things to a minimum, I’m mainly looking for something simple to prepare. Convenience comes first for around 25% of these consumers. |
| Wholemeal or plant-based preparation | Check the ingredients in the wholemeal option and follow the instructions on your chosen mix for plant-based preparation. | I want to choose a mix that is clearly wholemeal or find out how to make the batter plant-based; neither tells me how thick it will be. This is the main consideration for around 25% of these consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current label on the exact variant. Use clean, separate utensils if cross-contamination is a concern for a guest. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten or another allergen, both the mix and the way you prepare it must be suitable. This check is the top priority for around 17% of these consumers. |
The instructions for AH Volkoren and the PLUS mixes discussed here specifically describe batter that spreads thinly over the bottom of the pan. The name of the mix doesn’t guarantee a thicker pancake that’s firm enough to cut.
Use a pan or flat plancha, and cook a small test portion at your preferred thickness beforehand.
If you only have an open grill at your BBQ, you’ll also need a suitable flat cooking surface.
For the mixes discussed here, ‘complete’ describes what you need to add to the batter, not which allergens are absent. According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Compleet lists wheat, milk and egg among its allergens.
Read the label on the exact pack. If you need a gluten-free option, choose one explicitly labelled gluten-free and use clean, separate utensils.
At a BBQ, pancakes and their ingredients may be placed next to raw meat or fish. The Voedingscentrum recommends using separate dishes, plates and utensils for raw meat or fish.
Keep perishable ingredients chilled, take small amounts to the cooking area at a time, and use different utensils for the batter and cooked pancakes.
Koopmans offers a complete pancake mix and a separate gluten-free option. Check which one you need.
AH Volkoren is an option if you’re looking for a wholemeal pancake mix and want to explore a plant-based method of preparation.
PLUS offers a complete mix and a separate wholemeal mix, each with different ingredients to add.
ALDI describes an Albona multigrain pancake mix.
Belbake’s original pancake mix is another option to compare with other preparation methods.
Use a pan or flat plancha for runny batter. The product instructions discussed here describe cooking in a pan. The Voedingscentrum’s general BBQ guidance is about grilling solid foods, not pouring batter onto an open grill.
No. For the mixes discussed here, ‘complete’ means you only need to add water. It doesn’t guarantee a thick pancake that’s firm enough to cut. Try a small portion in your pan or on your plancha first to check the thickness.
Yes. The product labels for the Koopmans mixes discussed here say not to eat the batter raw and to heat it through thoroughly. Follow these instructions even when cooking a small test portion.
Use separate dishes, plates and utensils for raw meat or fish and for the pancakes. This follows the Voedingscentrum’s BBQ advice. Keep perishable ingredients chilled until you’re ready to use them, too.
