Canteen manager planning portions
Needs to know how many pancakes a recipe makes and which extra ingredients are required. This makes it easier to compare plain and complete mixes on the same portion basis.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Lunch team with little time to prepare
Needs a method that works during a busy lunch service. A mix that only requires water calls for different preparation than a recipe made with milk and eggs.
Canteen that provides allergen information
Serves pancakes unpackaged and needs to know which allergens are present in the mix, added ingredients and toppings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that customers must be informed about allergens in food that is prepared or sold.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients and how much preparation time the lunch team has available. Then compare the yield per recipe and check the allergens in everything you serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients per portion | Compare the recipe ingredients and stated yield on the same portion basis. | When serving a large number of portions at lunch, I want to know whether the required milk and eggs are already in stock, and how much batter I can make with them; around 39% of consumers prioritise the ingredients per portion. |
| Preparation during lunch | Check what you need to add and what instructions apply to prepared batter. | During a short lunch break, I want to be able to make batter without measuring out several ingredients; around 38% of consumers prioritise preparation time. |
| Allergens in the food you serve | Read the current packaging and include added ingredients and toppings in the information you give customers. | If I serve pancakes unpackaged, I want to be able to tell customers which allergens they contain; this information is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing only the amount of dry mix
A pack of plain mix does not make batter on its own. According to the preparation instructions for PLUS Naturel, 400 g of mix also requires 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil.
Before lunch service, work out how many full recipes you need and compare the expected yield per portion.
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Assuming ‘just add water’ means allergen-free
The preparation method does not tell you which allergens are already in the mix. PLUS lists milk and egg ingredients among those in its Complete mix.
Read the allergen information on the exact product packaging, and include toppings and possible cross-contamination in the information you give customers.
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Only looking for allergen information when a customer asks
If you serve pancakes unpackaged, your canteen must be able to tell customers about any allergens they contain. Even if you provide the information verbally, you need to make it clear where customers can ask for it.
Keep a record of the allergens in each recipe and topping, and update the information whenever the mix or preparation method changes.
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Assuming prepared batter can be kept for the next batch
Jumbo’s instructions for its Complete shaker bottle say to use the prepared batter straight away. Making a large batch in advance is not suitable for this product.
Choose a batch size to suit your lunch service and follow the usage and storage instructions on the packaging you choose.
Brands to consider
These brands offer plain, complete and other varieties, with different ingredients and preparation methods. So always assess the exact product, not just the brand name.
PLUS
PLUS offers both a 400 g Naturel mix and a 400 g Complete mix. These varieties show the difference between adding milk and eggs and making pancakes with water.
- The preparation instructions for PLUS Naturel call for milk, eggs and cooking fat; PLUS Complete requires water and cooking fat.
- Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for both varieties.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an original pancake mix as well as complete varieties. The ingredients required and yield vary by pack.
- For a 400 g Complete pack sold by PLUS, the product information says to add water and gives a yield of around ten pancakes.
- A complete preparation method does not mean the mix is free from milk and egg; check the label of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s 200 g Complete shaker bottle is a good option for making a smaller amount of batter.
- According to Jumbo, the shaker bottle requires water and makes around six portions.
- Jumbo says to use the prepared batter straight away. The product information also lists allergens to consider when planning what to serve.
ALDI / Albona
ALDI stocks Albona pancake mixes, including a plain variety.
- The different varieties give a canteen the opportunity to compare the preparation instructions on each pack.
- Check the packaging of the variety you choose for the latest ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl stocks Belbake Original Pancake Mix in its baking range.
- The original mix is one option to compare with other preparation methods.
- Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information before choosing the mix for your canteen menu.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn stocks AH Plain Pancake Mix.
- You can assess the plain variety based on the ingredients required for the full recipe.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These Koopmans products offer different ways to prepare pancakes for a canteen lunch: a wholegrain mix, a complete mix, a shaker mix and an original mix. Check each pack to see which ingredients and batch size suit your planned lunch.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For a canteen that wants to serve a wholegrain option alongside other pancakes. For this 400 g pack, check which milk and eggs the recipe calls for and which allergens you need to tell customers about.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For a lunch team that wants to prepare a complete mix with water. For this 210 g pack, check the water instructions, expected yield and allergens. Just adding water does not mean the mix is free from milk and egg.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
For smaller batches when preparing the mix in a shaker bottle suits your lunch service. For this 175 g pack, allow for the milk required by the preparation instructions and check the allergens in the finished recipe.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For a canteen that already uses milk and eggs in its batter and wants to plan the yield per pack. For this 400 g pack, check the quantities in the preparation instructions and include added ingredients in your allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does a workplace canteen have to provide allergen information for freshly made pancakes?
Yes. If pancakes are served unpackaged, the canteen must tell customers about any allergens they contain. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information can be provided in writing or verbally, as long as customers are clearly told they can ask for it.
Is a complete mix free from milk or egg if you only add water?
No. PLUS lists milk and egg ingredients in its Complete mix, even though you add water to prepare it. Read the label on the exact pack before adding the dish to your canteen menu.
What should I have ready for a plain pancake mix?
It varies by mix. For 400 g of PLUS Naturel, the preparation instructions call for 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil. Check the stated yield too before working out how much batter you need for a lunch service.
Can I keep prepared batter for the next lunch service?
Follow the instructions on the pack you choose. Jumbo says to use the prepared batter straight away for its Complete shaker bottle, so don’t make a batch with this product if you plan to keep it for a later service.