Choose a complete pancake mix if you want to measure out fewer ingredients for the children's party. A classic mix is a good fit if you'd like to add the milk and eggs yourself; with either option, check how many pancakes one pack makes. If guests have dietary requirements, follow the label on the product you choose. It’s the toppings and decorations that make the party feel special, rather than a separate category of ‘luxury’ mix.
If several children will be eating, the stated yield per pack can help you work out how many packs to buy. A complete mix means less measuring of individual ingredients, but check what else you’ll need to cook the pancakes.
If you’d like guests to choose their own toppings, use the pancakes as a base and add variety with the toppings and presentation. Check the ingredients in the mix and the toppings separately.
If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, the packaging of the product you actually use is what matters. Find out in advance what they need to avoid, and take other batters and toppings into account when preparing the food.
First, make sure the ingredients are suitable for your guests. Then compare the yield and any ingredients you need to add. Finally, decide how you’d like to serve the pancakes.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield and preparation | Compare the stated yield per pack and check whether you’ll need water, milk, eggs and cooking fat. | When I’m cooking for a group, I want to plan for enough pancakes without lots of unnecessary measuring. For around 36% of consumers, this combination of yield and preparation comes first. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for the mix, and check the toppings too. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know first which mix and toppings are suitable. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Toppings and presentation | Decide whether you want to serve sweet, savoury or both, and which toppings you’ll need to buy separately. | I want the children to create their own pancakes and to set the table up for that. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this presentation and freedom of choice. |
| Extra shopping | As well as checking what’s in the pack, work out which ingredients and how many packs you’ll need for your guests. | If I want to keep the shopping list short, I need to know what else I’ll need besides the mix. This is the biggest consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
According to their product information, Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes need water added, but that doesn’t mean the mix is free from milk or egg.
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variant you’ve chosen. You’ll also need a pan and the specified cooking fat or oil.
The pack weight doesn’t tell you how many pancakes you can make according to the preparation instructions. A smaller pack may also mean you’ll need more packs for a group.
Use the stated yield to plan how much you’ll need for your guests, and add any milk, eggs or other ingredients to your shopping list.
You can give a children's party a special feel with toppings, shapes and decorations. The word ‘luxury’ doesn’t tell you what ingredients a mix contains, how many pancakes it makes or how to prepare it.
Choose a mix based on practical product information, then decide which toppings will suit your guests.
Leftover pancakes need attention after the party too. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, leftovers should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Cool leftovers quickly, cover them and put them in the fridge or freezer promptly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two days after cooking.
Koopmans offers several options, including Origineel, Compleet and a gluten-free pancake mix. Which one is right for you depends on how you’ll prepare it and which ingredients your guests need to avoid.
The range includes own-brand mixes and other pancake mixes, so you can compare different product types and pack sizes.
PLUS has own-brand options, including naturel and compleet. When choosing between them, the extra ingredients you need matter more than the name of the mix alone.
Albona is ALDI’s own brand, offering options including plain and multigrain pancake mixes.
This Lidl brand’s original pancake mix is worth comparing if you’re looking for a 400 g pack.
These mixes offer different preparation methods and pack sizes for a children's party: from a standard mix made with milk and eggs to shaker bottles and an option that needs water and an egg. Use the stated yield, where available, to work out how much you’ll need for your guests.
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A multigrain option if you’d like to serve pancakes with a range of toppings.
According to the product description, one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. You’ll need 900 ml of milk, two eggs and cooking fat or oil to prepare them. The description lists cereals containing gluten; if guests have dietary requirements, check the label on the pack you buy.
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A classic base if you want to add milk and eggs yourself and offer sweet or savoury toppings.
According to the product description, one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. You’ll also need two eggs and butter or oil. The description lists cereals containing gluten and possible traces of milk and egg; check the packaging if guests have dietary requirements.
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A shaker bottle for making a smaller batch of pancakes. If you’re catering for a group, work out how many bottles you’ll need.
According to the product description, one bottle makes four to six pancakes and requires 400 ml of milk. The description lists egg and cereals containing gluten; check the packaging if guests have dietary requirements.
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A complete shaker bottle if you want to make a small batch and only need to add water to the mix.
According to the product description, one bottle makes four to six pancakes. The ingredients and allergen information lists milk, egg and cereals containing gluten; check the packaging if guests need to avoid any ingredients.
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A 100 g pack to consider if you want to add water and an egg to the batter. Check how many pancakes it makes before working out how much you’ll need for a group.
The product description lists wheat and gluten. If guests have dietary requirements, check the label on the pack.
A complete mix made with water means fewer ingredients to measure out separately. According to the product information, this applies to Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete; you’ll still need cooking fat or oil. Check the label, as these examples also contain allergens such as milk and egg.
Don’t choose an ordinary mix without checking the label: it may contain cereals containing gluten. Koopmans has a separate gluten-free option which, according to the brand, is AOECS-certified. Also check which other ingredients the guest needs to avoid, and prevent contact with standard mix during preparation.
If you want to keep cooked pancakes, cover them and put them in the fridge or freezer promptly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours, and says they can be kept in the fridge for up to two days after cooking.
Check the label on the pre-packed mix you buy. Under the EU labelling rules described by Your Europe, allergen information must be provided for pre-packed foods. Also check the ingredients in toppings and any products you add during preparation.
