Festive bakers catering for fussy eaters
If you want to offer sweet and savoury toppings separately, a classic or plain mix is a practical starting point. Check the allergens on the packet you choose.
Who might prefer each option?
Families looking to include wholemeal
If you want to consider a wholemeal option alongside plain, check the grains in the ingredients list and compare fibre levels on the same nutritional basis.
Bakers with dietary requirements or little time to prepare
Choosing a gluten-free option and reducing the number of ingredients to prepare involve different checks. If you have dietary requirements, also read what you need to add to the batter; a complete mix may contain milk and egg.
What should you look for when buying?
Decide which needs matter most around the table for your Christmas baking. Then compare the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions on the packets that meet those needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar base | Check whether it is a plain or classic mix, and which ingredients you need to add. | If tastes vary around the table, I want to start with a simple base and offer toppings separately. This familiar base is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check which wholegrains it contains and compare fibre per 100 g on the same preparation basis. | I want to include wholegrains in my baking, even if a plain mix is more familiar to my guests. This is the most important consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and what you add to the batter yourself. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what goes into the mix and the finished batter. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Preparation | Compare the ingredients you need to add and the preparation instructions on the packet. | When I’m busy baking, I want to prepare as few separate ingredients as possible. This is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
A gluten-free mix may still contain milk, egg or lupin. Ingredients you add yourself also change the composition of the batter.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packet you choose, then check the full recipe.
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
The terms don’t tell you the same thing about the grain composition. A mix containing several types of grain doesn’t have to be made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check the ingredients list and compare nutritional values only on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product.
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Overlooking allergens in a complete mix
Needing to add fewer ingredients to the batter may mean that milk or egg ingredients are already in the mix. For example, Koopmans lists these ingredients for Pannenkoeken Compleet.
Check the ingredients before choosing a complete mix for convenience, and read what else you need to make the pancakes.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers, among other options, an original, complete and gluten-free pancake mix. The additional ingredients needed vary by product.
- Koopmans says you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet to make the batter.
- The original mix requires milk and eggs; Koopmans also lists milk and eggs for preparing its gluten-free version. Always check the specific packet.
AH
Albert Heijn offers plain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- The ingredients list for AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren names wholemeal wheat flour; the plain mix contains wheat flour.
- The plain mix reviewed also contains egg. Check the current label for the ingredients and allergens in both versions.
PLUS
PLUS lists both its own-brand wholemeal mix and a Koopmans wholemeal mix.
- PLUS says its own-brand mix contains wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal oat flour.
- For its own-brand mix, PLUS lists milk and eggs as ingredients needed for preparation. As with any mix, check the label on the packet you buy.
Belbake
Lidl lists a Belbake multigrain pancake mix.
- The listed pack contains 120 g of mix.
- Check the packet to see which grains and allergens this specific mix contains before comparing it with a plain or wholemeal mix.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes include options for a classic base, a complete mix or a mix with several grains. Choose the right one for your Christmas baking based on your guests, the label and the preparation instructions for the specific product.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to prepare fewer separate ingredients for your Christmas baking.
Check the preparation instructions and make sure wheat, egg and milk are suitable for everyone.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A classic mix if you want a base that lets everyone choose their own sweet or savoury toppings.
Allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat when preparing. Check the label if you need to avoid cereals containing gluten.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for a mix containing several types of grain for your baking.
Check the proportion of flour to wholemeal flour before treating this as a wholemeal option. The preparation instructions described require milk, eggs and cooking fat.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A small pack to consider if you’re looking for pancake mix for a smaller baking session.
Check the preparation instructions, including the egg you need to add, and read the nutritional information if calcium is important to your choice.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete, 200 g
A complete mix to compare if you want to cut down on preparation for your Christmas baking.
Read the preparation instructions on the packet. If you have dietary requirements, check the label carefully: the ingredients information lists wheat, whey powder and egg powder.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a wholemeal pancake mix for Christmas baking?
Choose wholemeal if the grain composition and fibre are priorities for your baking and the mix suits your guests. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that wholegrain products generally contain more fibre than white cereal products made from flour. For a specific pancake mix, compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the packet.
Is a gluten-free mix also free from milk and egg?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t tell you whether a product contains milk or egg. The Consenza Pannenkoekenmix listed by Albert Heijn contains milk powder and egg powder, among other ingredients; for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij, the manufacturer says to add milk and eggs. Check both the mix and the recipe you use.
Which mix requires fewer extra ingredients?
A complete mix can cut down on preparation: Koopmans says you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet to make the batter. Be sure to read the baking instructions and allergen information, though; this version also contains ingredients derived from wheat, milk and egg.
Is the online ingredients list enough to help me choose?
Use the online information to compare mixes, but also read the label on the packet you’ve bought before using it. This is particularly important if ingredients or allergens determine whether everyone at the table can eat the pancakes.
Can I taste the raw batter first?
Follow the instructions for the mix you’ve chosen. PLUS says that the batter for the 400 g Koopmans wholemeal mix is not intended to be eaten raw and must be heated thoroughly.