Choose a traditional pancake mix if you want to decide for yourself which milk, eggs and toppings to use. A complete mix made with water, or a shaker bottle, means fewer separate preparation steps. However, check each pack to see what else you need to add, how many pancakes it makes and which allergens it contains. An organic or multigrain mix isn’t automatically suitable for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients.
A traditional mix is a good choice if you want to add the milk and eggs yourself, then serve the pancakes with your chosen toppings. Check how many pancakes the pack makes before planning portions for your guests.
A complete mix can reduce the number of basic ingredients you need to add, while a shaker bottle can save you from using a mixing bowl. Check the instructions for each product: shaker bottles don’t all use the same liquid, and one bottle may not make enough for a large table.
Check the current packaging for the mix, as well as the ingredients in your toppings and cooking fat. According to product information from Koopmans and Jumbo, complete and organic varieties can also contain wheat, gluten, milk or egg. The name of the mix doesn’t replace checking the label.
First, decide how many portions of dessert you want to make. Then consider how many ingredients you want to add yourself, and check that the mix and toppings are suitable for your guests before you start cooking.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Putting your own spin on dessert | Check which ingredients you need to add to the mix and whether it makes enough for the number of portions you want. | I want to finish the pancakes myself with flavours that suit my Christmas dessert, even if that means more preparation. This would be the main priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Ease of preparation and portions | Compare the liquid required, the number of pancakes per pack and the instructions for making the batter. | If I want to do as little mixing as possible just before serving, I’ll look for a mix that needs as few extra ingredients as possible. For around 30% of consumers, convenience would be the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current packaging for allergens that are present or may be present, and check the toppings too. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in both the pancakes and the toppings. This would be the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Needing to add water doesn’t tell you which allergens are already in the dry mix. For example, Koopmans lists milk and egg in its Pannenkoeken Compleet mix.
Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging, and remember to check toppings and cooking fat too.
Albert Heijn says the Koopmans Schudfles Pannenkoeken Compleet makes 4 to 6 pancakes. That may not be enough if you’re serving a portion to every guest.
First, work out how many dessert portions you need, then compare this with the number of pancakes per pack.
PLUS says its plain shaker-bottle mix, once combined with milk, should be used straight away. So if you’re serving dessert later in the evening, timing matters.
Only mix this shaker-bottle batter when you’re ready to cook. If you want to make the pancakes in advance, follow the storage instructions for the cooked product.
Koopmans offers a traditional mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle, among other options. The right preparation method depends on which ingredients you want to add yourself.
The pancake mix range includes different preparation methods and types of grain. Compare the individual packs rather than treating the whole category as one type of mix.
Jumbo offers plain, complete, wholemeal and organic pancake mixes, among other options. The organic variety is a choice based on how it’s produced, not on whether it’s suitable for people with allergies.
The original Belbake pancake mix is a packet mix to include when comparing portions for a Christmas dessert.
Albona offers a 400 g multigrain pancake mix for anyone specifically looking for a mix made with several types of grain.
PLUS offers plain and complete packet mixes, as well as a plain shaker-bottle mix. Pay particular attention to the different liquids and other ingredients required for each variety.
These products offer different starting points for a Christmas dessert: a mix that needs extra ingredients, a multigrain variety and mixes for a smaller dessert course. Compare the preparation instructions and label for each product before choosing one for your guests.
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For a dessert where you add your own toppings to the pancakes. Remember to allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat when preparing; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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For anyone looking for a pancake mix made with several types of grain who wants to choose their own toppings. Remember to allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat too; check the label if your guests need to avoid certain grains or other ingredients.
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An option for a small dessert course that needs few extra basic ingredients. Compare the number of pancakes it makes with the number of guests, and read the label: a mix made with water isn’t automatically free from milk or egg.
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For a smaller dessert course where you want to add your own toppings. This variety needs milk, so don’t assume it follows the water instructions for another shaker bottle, and check the packaging for allergens.
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A small pack to consider if you’re looking for a pancake base for dessert. Before buying, check how many portions it makes and read the full ingredients list and allergen information; ‘milk flavour’ doesn’t tell you whether the product contains milk.
A complete mix is handy if you only want to add water to the batter; Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Compleet makes 8 to 10 pancakes. For a smaller group, a shaker bottle may be suitable: Albert Heijn says the Koopmans Schudfles Pannenkoeken Compleet needs 350 ml of water and makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check what needs to be added to the pack you choose.
No. Jumbo lists wheat and gluten in its 400 g organic pancake mix. A label such as ‘organic’ or ‘multigrain’ doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Read the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the current packaging for the mix, and also check any milk, cooking fat and toppings you add yourself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights that allergens are listed on food labels; the specific ingredients can vary between varieties.
Yes, as long as you store the cooked pancakes appropriately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says pancakes can be kept for up to 2 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. Don’t confuse these storage times with the instructions for the batter: PLUS says its plain shaker-bottle mix should be used straight after mixing with milk.
