Home baker with the basics in stock
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat in the kitchen, you could consider a plain mix. Check the instructions on the pack first, though: the quantities needed vary between products.
Who is each mix suitable for?
Shopper with few ingredients in stock
If you’d rather not have to buy milk and eggs for the batter as well, look for a complete mix whose instructions call for water. Also check which cooking fat you’ll need.
Shopper who reads the label carefully
If you’re looking for specific grains or need to avoid certain ingredients, compare the exact product on the pack. The term multigrain doesn’t tell you which grains it contains or whether the mix is fully wholemeal.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients you already have and what you want to check on the label. Then see how much you’ll need to add to make and cook the batter.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients needed | Check which milk, eggs, liquid and cooking fat the mix calls for, then compare that with what you already have. | If I have milk and eggs at home, I want to know whether I need to buy anything else for the batter. Around 50% of consumers would choose the total ingredients needed as their first consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements. If you’re choosing a grain-based mix, also check whether it’s labelled wholemeal and how much fibre it contains per 100 g. | If I’m looking for a particular grain or need to avoid an ingredient, I need to know exactly what’s in the mix. Around 30% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Ease of preparation | Check what you need to add and do according to the pack, and how many pancakes the chosen pack makes. | If I have few ingredients in stock, I want to be able to make batter without having to gather several separate ingredients. Around 20% of consumers would focus mainly on ease of preparation. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the mix itself
A plain mix may need milk, eggs and cooking fat. A complete mix may call for other additions, so the contents of the pack don’t tell the whole story.
Compare the preparation instructions for each option and check what you already have at home.
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal or contains seeds
A mix made with several grains isn’t necessarily fully wholemeal. The name multigrain doesn’t mean that seeds are an ingredient either.
Check which grains are actually listed in the ingredients and look for a wholemeal or seeds statement on the pack if that matters to you.
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Assuming the allergens are the same across different products
Plain, complete and multigrain mixes may differ in their ingredients and statements about possible traces. Information from another pack isn’t a safe basis for choosing this product.
Always read the label on the exact product you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Brands to compare
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-label range includes plain, complete, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- AH Plain Pancake Mix is worth considering if you want to add milk and eggs to the batter yourself.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this plain mix requires 3 eggs, 800 ml milk and cooking fat. Also check the grains listed and any possible traces on the pack you choose.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI own-label brand with plain and multigrain pancake mixes.
- The two options let you choose between a plain mix and one made with several grains.
- Check the label on your chosen product in store for its ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
PLUS
The PLUS own-label range includes plain and complete pancake mixes.
- According to PLUS, its 400 g Complete mix requires 700 ml water for the batter. You’ll need cooking fat or oil for frying.
- The listed ingredients for this complete mix include wheat, milk ingredients and egg powder. So, needing to add water doesn’t mean the mix itself is free from milk or egg.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers standard, complete and multigrain pancake mixes, among other options.
- The ingredients list for Koopmans Multigrain Pancake Mix includes wheat, rye, maize, wholemeal oats, wholemeal barley and buckwheat.
- For this multigrain mix, Albert Heijn lists milk, eggs and cooking fat as additions. Check the instructions and label for each Koopmans product; the complete mix has a different composition.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These products include complete mixes, multigrain mixes and a standard pancake mix. Choose based on the preparation instructions and label for the individual pack; ‘complete’ doesn’t tell you which additions are needed for every product.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to use fewer separate ingredients. Check the pack to see what you need to add to this 210 g version, and read the allergen information before making the batter.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
A 400 g option for anyone comparing the grain content. Read the ingredients list to see which grains are in this pack, and check separately which additions are needed, as well as the allergen and nutritional information.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
A standard 400 g pancake mix to consider if you have the basics for making batter at home. Check the pack to see which additions and quantities this version requires.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
The 100 g pack could suit you if you’re looking for a smaller quantity of mix. Check the preparation instructions and how many pancakes it makes before buying. Milk flavour alone doesn’t tell you whether milk is an ingredient, so check the label for that information.
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g'woon complete pancake mix, 200 g
This 200 g pack is labelled as a complete mix, but check which additions are needed to prepare it. The listed ingredients and allergen information contradict each other. If you have an allergy, don’t use this conflicting information to make your decision: check the current label and, if necessary, ask for clarification before using the product.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need more ingredients for a plain mix than for a complete mix?
You might, but check the preparation instructions for the products you’re considering. According to Albert Heijn, the AH plain mix requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. PLUS says its Complete mix needs water for the batter and cooking fat or oil for frying. Don’t assume that every mix labelled ‘complete’ has the same instructions.
Is a multigrain pancake mix automatically wholemeal?
No. Multigrain means that several grains have been used, not that the mix is made entirely from wholemeal flour. If wholemeal is important to you, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
What should I look out for if I have an allergy?
Read the current label on the exact mix you want to use, including the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements. The products discussed here vary; product information includes gluten-containing grains, milk and egg, among other things. If the allergen information is contradictory, don’t rely on a single statement.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
No, don’t taste the batter from the Koopmans mixes discussed here while it’s raw. Albert Heijn states that Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be heated thoroughly.