Choose a pancake mix based on what you want to make and which ingredients you want to add, not just because it says ‘premium’. A classic mix gives you the flexibility to make sweet or savoury pancakes, while a complete mix needs less preparation. For wholegrain, gluten-free or other special varieties, check the ingredients and preparation instructions, and make sure the mix suits the style of pancake you want to make.
If you’re serving pancakes as a meal, check how many the pack makes and what else you’ll need for the batter. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, a classic mix can be topped with sweet or savoury ingredients.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free mix, a wholegrain base or a plant-based preparation, assess each variety individually. Check the allergen information too, along with the ingredients you need to add yourself: a claim about the dry mix doesn’t automatically apply to the finished pancakes.
A complete mix can be handy when you want to make batter quickly. Check whether you only need water for the batter, how many pancakes the pack makes and what else you’ll need for cooking.
First decide what matters most to you: convenience, a specific ingredient requirement or the number of pancakes. Then compare the varieties. ‘Complete’, ‘wholegrain’ and ‘gluten-free’ answer different questions.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. Even if you only need water for the batter, you may still need cooking fat. | If I want to make pancakes on the spur of the moment, I don’t want to have to buy milk and eggs first or measure out lots of ingredients. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Allergens and specific dietary requirements | Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the pack, as well as what you’ll need for preparation. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, both the mix and the preparation need to meet that requirement. For around 27% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
| Wholegrain or plant-based preparation | Check which types of flour the mix contains and which drink or egg substitute the preparation instructions recommend. Wholegrain does not mean gluten-free. | I want to choose a wholegrain base or make the pancakes plant-based, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Yield and versatility | Compare how many pancakes each pack makes, how much milk and how many eggs are needed, and what style of pancake the mix is designed for. | If I’m cooking for several people, I want to make enough thin pancakes and choose my own toppings. Around 26% of consumers prioritise yield and flexibility. |
The style of pancake matters too. The American pancake mix described by Albert Heijn is designed for smaller, thicker pancakes, so it isn’t the right choice if you want to make large, thin Dutch-style pancakes. If you’re choosing a variety for its protein content or another nutritional value, compare the nutritional information for the prepared serving under the same preparation conditions, rather than relying on the product name.
A special variety may stand out for its convenience, ingredients or style of pancake. The word ‘premium’ doesn’t tell you which of these qualities to expect.
Start by deciding what you need the mix to do, then compare the specific information on the pack.
A classic or gluten-free mix may require milk and eggs, while a complete mix may only need water for the batter. You may still need cooking fat.
Read all the preparation instructions before deciding which mix suits the ingredients you already have at home.
A gluten-free mix isn’t necessarily free from milk or eggs. Conversely, a dry mix labelled vegan may still contain wheat.
Check the current packaging and the ingredients you need to add yourself. If you have an allergen requirement, also look for warnings about possible traces.
Smaller, thicker pancakes are different in shape and portion size from the thin pancakes served as a meal.
Decide which style you want to make before comparing the yield of different mixes.
Albert Heijn lists a range of mixes under this brand, including classic, complete, gluten-free and other varieties.
Albert Heijn’s own brand includes plain and wholegrain pancake mixes.
The American Pancakes Origineel mix we looked at is designed for smaller, thicker pancakes, for breakfast or brunch, for example.
These products offer different starting points for home baking: a classic mix, a complete mix, a shaker bottle and varieties with a different product name or grain composition. If you have specific dietary or allergen requirements, check the current packaging before choosing.
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A classic mix to consider if you want to make the batter yourself and choose sweet or savoury toppings.
Check how much milk and how many eggs you’ll need, and how many pancakes the pack makes, before cooking for a group.
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A good fit if you want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible for the batter.
Check the preparation instructions and yield on the pack; ‘complete’ does not mean allergen-free.
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The shaker bottle is a handy option if you want to make the batter without a separate mixing bowl.
Don’t assume you only need water: check which liquid this variety requires and how many pancakes the bottle makes.
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A variety to compare if the grains used are important to you.
Check the ingredients list for the precise composition. The product name alone doesn’t tell you whether the mix meets a specific dietary requirement.
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Compare the actual ingredients and preparation instructions if you’re looking for a smaller pack.
Don’t treat ‘High-Calcium’ and ‘Milk Flavor’ as nutritional or allergen information: check the label for those details. Also check how many pancakes the pack makes.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Koopmans Complete only needs water added to the batter; you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking. Check the instructions for the variety you choose, as ‘complete’ on its own says nothing about allergens.
No, the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t mean that. According to Albert Heijn, the Koopmans Glutenvrij mix we looked at requires milk and eggs. Check the ingredients, allergen information and preparation requirements for your pack separately.
Choose a dry mix whose ingredients suit your preferences, then check what the preparation instructions require. Albert Heijn describes the AH Volkorenmix we looked at as vegan in its dry form and suggests a plant-based preparation, although the mix does contain wheat and gluten.
Start with the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions, then compare the stated yield and nutritional information if they’re relevant to your choice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that information about the contents and use of pre-packed food must be clearly readable. Check the current packaging for the variety you’re considering.
