Make use of what’s in your cupboard
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, a basic mix could be a good choice without needing to buy those ingredients specially. Just check the recipe on the pack you choose.
Who are the different mixes suitable for?
Convenient baking without extra shopping
If you want to add as few ingredients as possible, a complete mix that only needs water is a better fit than a basic mix that requires milk and eggs.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
If you need to avoid an allergen or a particular type of grain, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. The preparation method and brand name aren’t enough.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check what you already have at home for the batter. Then compare the pack size and preparation method. If you have an allergy, check the label before buying.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of mix | Check the net weight and stated yield of the pack you’ve chosen. | If I’m making pancakes for several people, I want to know in advance whether one pack will be enough. For around 39% of consumers, the amount of mix is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients you have at home | Check which additions the recipe calls for and what you already have. | I don’t want to find out halfway through cooking that I’m out of milk or eggs. Avoiding extra shopping is the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you need to add water or milk, and whether you’ll need to measure or shake the mixture. | For a quick baking session, I want as few steps as possible. Ease of preparation is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on the product name. For around 15% of consumers, checking this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Forgetting the extra ingredients
A basic mix isn’t necessarily ready to use as it is. According to PLUS, PLUS Naturel needs milk, eggs and butter or oil.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop. If you don’t want to add milk and eggs, see whether a complete mix that only needs water suits your baking plans.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
Even though you only need to add water to Koopmans Compleet, that doesn’t mean the mix is free from milk or egg: Koopmans lists ingredients derived from both.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety every time you buy it.
Brands to compare
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- The plain variety is available in a 400 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety on the pack or product page.
PLUS
PLUS offers Naturel, Compleet and Volkoren, as well as a smaller shaker-bottle variety.
- You can choose a preparation method to suit the ingredients you want to add.
- According to PLUS, PLUS Naturel needs milk, eggs and butter or oil; check the instructions for other varieties separately.
Albona
Albona is the brand of a multigrain pancake baking mix sold at ALDI.
- The pack described contains 400 g of mix.
- Check the label on the pack you choose for ingredients and allergens.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers Origineel and Compleet, as well as wholemeal, multigrain and shaker-bottle varieties.
- According to Koopmans, Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter or oil, while you only need to add water to Compleet.
- The preparation method doesn’t tell you whether a product is allergen-free, so check the exact variety.
Belbake
Lidl sells a 400 g pack of Belbake’s original pancake mix.
- Lidl Netherlands states that this pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack to see what you need to add and which allergens are listed.
Pancake mix on Joybuy
This smaller pack is an option if you’re planning a small batch. Check the preparation method and stated yield to see whether the pack size suits your needs.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu pancake mix with milk flavour, 100 g
The 100 g pack could suit a smaller batch. Check how many pancakes it makes and which ingredients you’ll need to add.
Milk flavour in the product name doesn’t tell you anything about allergens, so check the label.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to add to a basic mix?
It depends on the variety: for PLUS Naturel, PLUS lists milk, eggs and butter or oil. Read the recipe on the pack you’ve chosen before you shop.
Is a mix that only needs water free from milk and egg?
No, you can’t tell that from the preparation method. According to Koopmans, Koopmans Compleet only needs water, but it contains ingredients derived from milk and egg. Check the latest allergen information for the exact variety.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store the mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends transferring an opened pack to an airtight container; also follow the instructions on the label.
Where can I find the allergen information for pancake mix?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. Read the information on the pack of the variety you’re thinking of buying.