Parents who check allergens first
If you want to bring pancakes for a child or group, you’ll first need to know which allergens the mix contains. Also check the arrangements your child’s school or childcare provider has in place for eating.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Family bakers comparing ingredients
If you want to see which flour has been used and how the nutritional value per 100 g of prepared product compares with other mixes. The portion size and toppings you choose also matter for the occasion.
Carers short on preparation time
If you want to make a small batch, check in advance what needs to be added to the mix and how many pancakes a pack makes.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the children you’re baking for, then compare the ingredients and the amount of work involved to find an option that suits the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and serving a group | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. If you’re taking pancakes to school or childcare, ask what arrangements they have in place. | When I’m making pancakes for several children, I first want to know whether everyone can eat them. For around 46% of consumers, suitability comes first. |
| What’s in the snack | Compare the types of flour used and nutritional information on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. Also decide what portion size and toppings you want to serve. | I want to compare what’s in the mix rather than rely on the word ‘premium’. Around 27% of consumers focus most on this comparison. |
| Preparation and yield | Check the ‘what you need to add’ instructions to see whether water is enough or whether you’ll also need milk, eggs or fat. Check how many pancakes the pack makes. | For a short tea-time get-together, I don’t want to make more batter than I need or find I’m missing extra ingredients. Practical preparation comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ or ‘multigrain’ means ‘gluten-free’
According to Albert Heijn, AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix contains wheat. The type of grain listed doesn’t tell you whether a mix is suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re actually using, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Forgetting what you need to add
According to Koopmans, Pancakes Complete only needs water, while you’ll also need milk, eggs and butter for Pancakes Original. This difference can affect how you prepare for a children’s afternoon.
Read the preparation instructions before buying and make sure the yield suits the number of children.
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Judging the mix alone, not the occasion
The ingredients in the mix don’t tell you what portion size or toppings will end up on the table.
Decide in advance how much you want to make and what you’ll serve with it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping regular meal and snack times in mind when choosing snacks for children.
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Relying on a product page instead of checking the packaging
For an activity involving children, the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ve bought are what matter.
Check the label again just before cooking, and check with the school or childcare provider before bringing pancakes in.
Brands to compare
Preparation methods and product information vary between products from these brands, so choose based on the specific pack.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers classic, complete and multigrain pancake mixes, as well as shaker bottles.
- According to Koopmans, Pancakes Complete only needs water and one pack makes 8 to 10 pancakes; Pancakes Original requires milk, eggs and butter.
- Check the allergens for each product. The convenience of a complete mix doesn’t mean it’s suitable for a child with an allergy.
AH
AH offers plain, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes, among other varieties.
- For AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix, you can use the listed ingredients and nutritional information to compare products on the same basis.
- According to Albert Heijn, this wholemeal mix contains wheat and gluten; the stated preparation method also requires milk and eggs.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes, among other varieties.
- PLUS Plain Pancake Mix lists wheat flour, wholemeal buckwheat flour and wholemeal oat flour as ingredients.
- This plain mix requires milk, eggs and butter or oil. Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the current pack.
Albona
At ALDI, Albona offers a 400 g multigrain pancake baking mix.
- The pack size gives you a useful point of comparison when working out how much you need.
- Before using it for children, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack.
Belbake
At Lidl, Belbake offers a 120 g multigrain pancake mix.
- You can compare a 120 g pack with larger packs when working out how much you need.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation method on the pack before making pancakes for a group of children.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These pancake mixes come in different pack sizes and formats, giving you options to compare for a children’s afternoon. Check the current label first, and if you’re taking pancakes in, check the arrangements at the school or childcare provider.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
An option to consider if you want to keep preparation to a minimum for a short snack break. Compare the preparation instructions and yield on the pack with the number of children, and check the allergens too.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
An option for anyone who wants to compare the types of grain used. Check the pack for the types of flour, what you need to add and the listed allergens. The name Wholegrains doesn’t mean the mix is gluten-free.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle to compare if you’re making pancakes for a small group. Check the pack to see what you need to add, how many pancakes the mix makes and which allergens it contains.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A classic mix to consider if you want to choose the ingredients you add yourself and are cooking for several children. Koopmans says Pancakes Original requires milk, eggs and butter; check the label for allergens too.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A 100 g pack to consider if you only want to use a small amount of mix. Before choosing this variety for children, check the label for the yield, preparation method, nutritional information and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check if I’m taking pancakes to school or an after-school club?
Check the allergens on the pack you’ve bought and ask the school or after-school club what arrangements apply at snack time. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. You’ll need to check the arrangements at the individual venue separately.
Is wholemeal or multigrain pancake mix gluten-free?
Not necessarily: according to Albert Heijn, AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix contains wheat and gluten. Check each product against its current ingredients list and allergen information rather than relying on the name of the grain mix.
Can I taste Koopmans Original batter raw?
No. The product information for Koopmans Original on Joybuy says the batter isn’t meant to be eaten raw and must be thoroughly heated. Make sure children wait until the pancakes are fully cooked.
Which pack is best for a small tea-time get-together?
A shaker bottle could be a good choice if you want to make a small amount of batter without needing a bowl and whisk. Koopmans says its Pancakes Complete Shaker Bottle only needs water and makes around five pancakes. Check the yield and allergens on the pack you’re buying too.