Which size is right for you?

If you’re cooking for a large family

If the number of guests might change, compare separate 400 g packs, a multipack and a 1 kg bag by how much each batch makes and how much mix you’ll have left over.

If you’re organising an event or buffet

For larger groups, you’ll also need to consider the other ingredients, the time between mixing the batter and cooking, and how you’ll serve the pancakes.

If you need to cater for dietary requirements

If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the exact packaging carefully. For gluten-free preparation, Sligro says the mix we looked at also requires separate equipment and a clean working area.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide how many guests you’ll have and how you’ll serve the pancakes. Then compare the yield and preparation instructions for the exact mix, and check that it suits the dietary requirements at your table.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Yield and packaging Compare the stated yield with the portions you’ll need per guest. Check whether a multipack contains separate packs or comes as one large pack. If I’m not sure how many people will come, I want to be able to make enough batter without opening a large bag straight away. Around 31% of consumers would put yield and ease of portioning first.
Preparation Check which ingredients you need to add and whether the batter needs to rest before cooking. If I’m cooking other dishes at the same time, I want to know how much preparation the batter needs. Around 31% of consumers would say preparation is their main concern.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label, including any ‘may contain’ statements. If you’re preparing gluten-free food, plan to use separate, clean equipment. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to prepare their pancakes separately. An estimated 23% of consumers would put this concern first.
How you’ll serve them Decide in advance whether you’ll serve large, thin pancakes or small American pancakes, and compare the yield for that specific portion size. For a buffet, I want to know whether I’ll be serving meal-sized pancakes or several small pancakes per guest. Around 15% of consumers would put the serving style first.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a multipack like one large bag

    The pack of three Koopmans Original packs sold by Albert Heijn is supplied as separate items. This means you can portion out one pack at a time, but the mix’s preparation instructions stay the same.

    Check the weight and stated yield for each individual pack before working out how many you’ll need.

  • Assuming ‘just add water’ means it’s suitable for every guest

    Those preparation instructions don’t tell you which allergens the mix contains. Even a separate gluten-free mix requires care over the area and equipment you use to cook with.

    Read the label for the exact product, and use separate, clean equipment and work surfaces for gluten-free preparation, as Sligro advises for the mix we looked at.

  • Making the batter just before you start cooking

    If the mix you choose needs to rest, leaving it until the last minute will delay the first pancakes for your meal or buffet.

    Read the preparation instructions in advance and allow for any resting time in your schedule.

  • Counting small American pancakes as large pancakes

    For the American pancake mix we looked at, Sligro says a 1 kg bag makes around 60 small pancakes weighing 25 g each. You can’t use that figure as the yield for large, thin pancakes served as a meal.

    Decide what portion you want to serve first, then work out how much mix you’ll need.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Consumer mixes in 400 g packs for cooking pancakes in separate batches.

  • Koopmans says one pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes when prepared according to the recipe.
  • You’ll also need to have milk, eggs and cooking fat ready for this mix. The pack of three sold by Albert Heijn consists of separate items.

Koopmans Professioneel

A professional range that includes complete 1 kg mixes and larger packs for making more batches.

  • For the 1 kg Complete Egg Pancake Mix we looked at, Koopmans Professioneel says you only need to add water.
  • Check the allergens for the option you choose. For the gluten-free vegan mix we looked at, Sligro says separate equipment and a clean, gluten-free working area are essential when preparing food for people with coeliac disease.

Van de Meester

The Oud Hollandse Pannenkoekenmix is available in a 1 kg bag, among other sizes.

  • Van de Meester also offers larger sizes for bulk use.
  • Choose a size based on the portions you’re planning and check the ingredients on the exact pack.

Belbake

A smaller retail pack for anyone who doesn’t need a professional-size bag.

  • For the 400 g pack we looked at, Lidl states a yield of around 12 pancakes.
  • Lidl lists this as a retail product; don’t treat an individual pack as equivalent to a professional bulk bag.

400 g packs at Joybuy

These two packs are suitable for a family meal where you make one pack at a time. For a larger group, work out how many separate packs you’ll need and remember to allow for any ingredients you’ll be adding yourself.

Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g

Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g

A separate 400 g pack is a good fit for a family meal where you want to make the batter one batch at a time.

For the preparation described, remember to allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you receive.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g

Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g

With a separate 400 g pack, you can plan how much you need for your family meal one batch at a time.

Koopmans says one pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes when prepared according to the recipe. The preparation described also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat; check the pack before buying for the whole group.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a 5 kg bag a good choice for a large family?

For a one-off family meal, separate packs or a 1 kg bag are often easier to portion out batch by batch. A 5 kg bag is better suited to catering-style quantities or repeated use, provided you can prepare and store that amount.

Do I still need to add milk and eggs to a complete pancake mix?

According to the product information, you only need to add water to the Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix and the complete professional egg mix we looked at. Still, check the preparation instructions on the exact pack: an original basic mix may also require milk, eggs and cooking fat.

Is a gluten-free mix enough if a guest has coeliac disease?

No, you also need to keep the preparation separate. For the gluten-free vegan mix we looked at, Sligro recommends separate equipment and a clean, gluten-free working area. Also check the label on the pack you’re using.

Can I taste Koopmans Original batter raw?

No. The Joybuy product information for this mix says the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be cooked thoroughly.