Choose a multigrain or wholemeal mix if you’re looking for pancakes with a grain-based batter. If you specifically want to serve seeds, check that they’re on the ingredients list or offer them separately. For a buffet, you’ll also need to consider how many pancakes each pack makes, what else you need to add, and the allergens in both the mix and the toppings. A multigrain mix isn’t automatically a seed mix or a gluten-free option.
If you want pancakes made with a mix of grains or wholemeal flour, check the mix’s ingredients. If seeds are important for texture, check separately whether they’re included in the mix or choose a topping.
If your guests need to avoid gluten, milk or eggs, always follow the information on the exact pack. Standard multigrain and wholemeal mixes may contain gluten-containing grains. For gluten-free pancakes, you’ll need a mix that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Also check the ingredients you add and any toppings.
If you’re preparing several dishes at once, it helps to compare the stated yield and preparation method before you buy. Check whether you need to add milk and eggs or whether water will do, and plan how many portions you want to make.
First, decide whether the seeds need to be in the mix or can be served as a topping. Then compare the quantity needed and the preparation method. If anyone has dietary requirements, check the ingredients of everything you’re serving.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Grains and seeds | Check which grains, flours and any seeds are listed in the ingredients. Only compare fibre content when it’s given on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | I want a grain-based batter, but if I want to add seeds, I need to know whether I’ll need a separate topping. Around 29% of consumers put this choice between a grain base and seeds first. |
| Yield and planning | Check how many pancakes or portions each pack is stated to make, then work out how many you want to prepare for the buffet. Remember to consider how many pans and how much space you have to keep the pancakes warm. | When I’m cooking for several guests, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. For around 29% of consumers, getting enough servings for the buffet is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current packaging for the mix and the ingredients you plan to add. If you’re preparing gluten-free pancakes, choose a mix that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what I’m serving. Around 28% of consumers put this check first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the mix needs milk, eggs and cooking fat, or can be prepared with water. At the same time, check how much batter the pack makes. | With other buffet dishes to prepare, I want to keep the number of extra ingredients to a minimum. Around 14% of consumers put easy preparation first. |
The multigrain mixes we looked at are described in terms of grains and flours. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether you’ll get the seed content you’re looking for.
If you want seeds in the batter, look for them on the ingredients list. Alternatively, serve them as a separate topping and check its ingredients.
The multigrain and wholemeal mixes mentioned contain gluten-containing grains. The words buckwheat or oats in a product name don’t, on their own, prove that the whole mix is gluten-free.
For guests who need to eat gluten-free, choose a pack that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check the ingredients you add too, and avoid cross-contact when cooking and serving.
A pack’s weight doesn’t tell you how many buffet portions you can make according to the preparation instructions. Manufacturers may also give the yield in pancakes or portions, which aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Plan how many portions you need, then check the yield and which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself.
Ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contact can vary from one product to another. A topping may also introduce allergens that aren’t in the mix itself.
Check the current packaging for the exact mix you’ve bought, and check all toppings separately before setting out the buffet.
Koopmans offers classic, multigrain, wholemeal and explicitly labelled gluten-free pancake mixes, among others. The right choice depends on the variant you choose and your guests.
AH’s multigrain pancake mix is an option if you’re looking for a base made with a variety of grains.
The organic pancake mix from Jumbo that we looked at is made with wheat flour.
The organic buckwheat pancake mix we looked at uses a different flour base from a standard wheat-based multigrain mix.
These three Koopmans products include a Wholegrains variant and two bases for toppings of your choice. If you want seeds in the mix, check the exact packaging: a product name that mentions grains or ‘Complete’ doesn’t confirm that it contains seeds.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for a mix with a grain-based profile for your buffet. The pack contains 400 g. Before buying, compare the name and ingredients on the exact packaging with the grain variant you’re looking for. Check separately whether it contains seeds and which ingredients you need to add.
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A base to consider if you’d like to offer a range of separate toppings. The pack contains 400 g. Before preparing your buffet, check the preparation method and the ingredients in both the mix and each topping. Don’t assume this variant contains seeds.
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A Complete variant to compare if you want to cut down on preparation for a smaller quantity of batter. The pack contains 210 g. Check the exact packaging to see what you need to add and how many pancakes you can make before deciding how many packs you’ll need for the buffet.
Not necessarily. The multigrain mixes mentioned are described in terms of grains and flours. If seeds are essential, look for them on the ingredients list or offer a separate topping.
Start with the number of portions you want to serve, then use the yield stated on the packaging you choose. Koopmans says its Multigrain Mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; Jumbo says the organic mix we looked at makes 17 portions per pack. Don’t assume that ‘pancakes’ and ‘portions’ mean the same thing.
It depends on the mix and preparation method you choose. Koopmans’ recipe for classic pancakes uses milk and eggs, while product information says the Complete variant described is made with water. Check the exact packaging to see what you’ll also need for cooking.
Not based on the type of flour or product name alone. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, choose a mix that is explicitly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging. Also check any ingredients you add and take steps to avoid cross-contact during preparation.
