Stock-up shoppers planning for several batches
If you’re buying enough for several baking sessions, the pack size, stated yield and ingredients you’ll need to add matter more than simply counting the boxes in your cupboard.
Which type of stock-up suits you?
Home cooks who want to bake without an extra trip to the shops
A complete mix can be handy for an impromptu baking session, especially if you don’t always have milk and eggs at home. Check the instructions for each variety to make sure it really does require water only.
Shoppers with dietary or allergen requirements
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any relevant warnings on every pack. The name of the grain variety isn’t enough.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what you want to have at home when it’s time to bake. Then compare the yield per pack and, if you have dietary requirements, check the label of the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and yield | Compare the weight of each pack and the stated number of pancakes for the specific variety. | If I’m stocking up for several baking sessions, I want to know how many packs I’ll need. For around 44% of consumers, planning their stock is the top priority. |
| Additional ingredients | Check whether you’ll need water, milk, eggs or cooking fat. A shaker bottle doesn’t automatically mean it’s a water-only mix. | For an impromptu baking session, I don’t want to have to go out for milk or eggs. Around 33% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list and allergen information, and look for an explicit gluten-free claim if you need one. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the pack must meet my dietary requirements before yield or convenience comes into it. For around 23% of consumers, suitability is the first consideration. |
Common mistakes when stocking up
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Comparing only the number of packs
A stack of packs doesn’t tell you how many baking sessions you can make if pack sizes and yields vary between products. Some mixes also require milk, eggs or cooking fat.
Before stocking up, note the stated yield per pack and any ingredients you’ll need to keep separately for the recipe.
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Confusing a shaker bottle with a water-only mix
According to Albert Heijn, the original Koopmans shaker bottle requires 400 ml of milk and makes 4 to 6 pancakes. The mixing bottle doesn’t change which liquid you need.
Read the instructions for the shaker you’ve chosen and match the number of packs to the portions you want to make.
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Assuming wholemeal or multigrain means gluten-free
A different grain blend doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free. The listed ingredients for Koopmans Wholegrains include wheat and rye.
If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit claim and check the current pack label. Don’t rely on the words wholemeal or multigrain.
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Putting away lots of packs without checking the dates
When you have a large stock, it’s easy to lose track of older packs. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a best-before date relates to quality; the condition of the packaging matters too.
Put packs with the earliest best-before dates at the front, follow the storage advice and check the packaging before use.
Brands to compare
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an original dry mix, Pannenkoeken Compleet and an original shaker bottle, among other products. The right option depends on which ingredients you want to add and how many portions you need.
- According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, while Pannenkoeken Compleet requires water only and makes 8 to 10 pancakes.
- According to Albert Heijn, the original shaker bottle requires milk. Check the instructions and allergen information for each variety.
AH
Albert Heijn lists several own-brand mixes, including plain, multigrain, wholemeal and gluten-free varieties.
- The different grain varieties give you a clear choice of recipe composition.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredient, nutritional and allergy information can change, so check the label on the pack you buy.
Albona
ALDI’s own brand, Albona, offers a plain pancake baking mix and a multigrain variety.
- ALDI lists the plain variety in a 400 g pack.
- Before buying several packs, check the packaging for the yield, preparation instructions and allergen information.
Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as part of its baking range.
- The original variety gives you a familiar starting point for comparing preparation instructions with other basic mixes.
- Check the pack you choose for its size, yield, required additions and allergen information.
Pancake mixes to stock up on
These Joybuy products include standard packs, a shaker bottle and a smaller pack. Choose according to the portion size you want and the ingredients you’ll have available when it’s time to bake. The shaker bottle isn’t an alternative to a mix that requires water only.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
An option to consider if you’re specifically looking for a mix containing several types of grain. The ingredients listed by Joybuy include wheat and rye, so this isn’t a gluten-free alternative. Also check which ingredients you need to add when preparing it.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A standard pack for anyone who wants to keep an original basic mix in the cupboard. Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. Before stocking up, check the preparation instructions to see what else you’ll need to add.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
The shaker bottle is suited to a smaller baking session when you want to mix the batter in the bottle. For the original shaker bottle, Albert Heijn specifies 400 ml of milk and a yield of 4 to 6 pancakes. Make sure you have milk to hand; this pack isn’t a water-only mix.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A smaller pack to consider if you don’t need a standard-sized one. You’ll also need an egg for the preparation described. Check the instructions and yield on the pack before deciding how many to keep in stock.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix should I choose if I don’t always have milk and eggs at home?
Choose a variety whose preparation instructions say you only need to add water. According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet requires water and makes around 8 to 10 pancakes per pack. Always check the packaging for other varieties.
Can I use pancake mix after its best-before date?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a best-before date doesn’t mean a product is unusable as soon as that date has passed: it relates to quality. Follow the storage advice, check that the packaging is undamaged and assess the product before use.
How can I check the allergens in pancake mix?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current pack, including any warnings relevant to your choice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label. Don’t rely solely on the product name or an image in an online shop.
Are wholemeal and multigrain the same as gluten-free?
No. Wholemeal and multigrain describe the grain content, not the absence of gluten. The ingredients for Koopmans Wholegrains listed by Joybuy include wheat and rye, among other things. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit claim on the current label.