For hosts with fussy eaters
If your guests have different tastes, an original pancake mix gives you a classic base. Serve sweet and savoury toppings separately so everyone can choose what to add.
Which option is right for you?
For those who prioritise wholemeal flour
If the choice comes down to the grain content, check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. The name ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a mix contains.
For cooks who want less measuring
If you’re preparing several dishes at once, a complete shaker bottle can be handy. The Koopmans shaker bottle we looked at only needs water, but also contains wheat, milk and egg ingredients. Check that it suits your guests.
What to look for in pancake mix
First decide which base you want to serve, then compare the additions required and the number of pancakes each pack makes. If anyone has allergies, the current label must also meet their needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Check which wholemeal flours are listed in the ingredients. Don’t rely on ‘multigrain’ alone. | If wholemeal flour is my priority, I want to know what the batter is made from, even if not every guest has the same preference. For around 42% of consumers, a wholemeal base is the most important factor. |
| Familiar base | Check which flours are used and how many pancakes each pack makes, so you can plan the right amount. | When catering for fussy eaters, I want to serve a classic base and let guests choose their own toppings. A familiar base is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Less preparation | Compare the ingredients you need to add and the yield; ‘complete’ says nothing about allergens. | When I’m preparing other Christmas dishes at the same time, I want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible. Less preparation is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means wholemeal
A multigrain mix doesn’t necessarily contain only wholegrain flour. For example, the Koopmans Wholegrains mix we looked at lists wheat flour as well as wholemeal flours.
If wholemeal flour is essential for you, read the full ingredients list for the variant you choose.
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Looking only at the pack size
The yield and additions required vary from one mix to another. A pack that makes only a few pancakes calls for different meal planning from one that makes more.
Check how many pancakes the pack makes and whether you’ll need milk, eggs, water or cooking fat.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means suitable for every allergy
The Koopmans Schudfles Compleet we looked at only needs water, but the product information says it contains wheat, milk and egg ingredients.
If a guest has a relevant allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
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Tasting the batter raw
The product information for the Koopmans Origineel and Volkoren mixes we looked at says not to eat the batter raw.
Follow the cooking instructions on the pack and only serve the pancakes once they’re fully cooked.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of pancake mix. The ingredients and preparation method apply to each individual variant, not to the brand as a whole.
Koopmans
Offers original, wholemeal, complete shaker bottle and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others.
- The Volkoren mix we looked at lists wholemeal oat flour and wholemeal wheat flour; according to Joybuy, the Schudfles Compleet only needs water.
- The shaker bottle contains wheat, milk and egg ingredients. Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variant separately.
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range includes a wholemeal pancake mix, among other products.
- The 300 g AH Volkoren mix we looked at lists wholemeal wheat flour as an ingredient.
- For any other AH variant, check its own ingredients list and preparation method. The range description won’t tell you what’s in it.
Jumbo
Offers original and wholemeal variants we looked at, catering for different preferences around the table.
- For the Volkoren mix we looked at, Jumbo lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour, 20% wholemeal oat flour and 4.2% wholemeal buckwheat flour.
- The Naturel mix we looked at lists wheat flour first, as well as oat flour. Don’t use the variant name as a substitute for checking the ingredients.
PLUS
Offers both a wholemeal mix and a complete own-brand mix.
- The 400 g PLUS Volkoren mix we looked at requires 1,000 ml of milk and 4 eggs. For the Complete mix we looked at, PLUS lists water as the addition.
- The Complete mix we looked at contains milk ingredients and egg powder. If anyone has allergies, check the current packaging here too.
ALDI / Albona
Albona offers original and multigrain pancake mixes we looked at.
- A multigrain variant gives you a different blend of grains to consider alongside the original option.
- Check the label to see which flours and allergens are in the specific variant; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that it has a wholemeal base.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl Netherlands lists a Belbake mix for multigrain pancakes.
- The product name is a useful starting point if you’re looking for a multigrain mix.
- Before choosing, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current pack. Don’t infer the wholemeal content from the name.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes suit different Christmas dinner preferences: less measuring, a classic base or a mix with several types of grain. Before buying enough for everyone, check each product’s yield and label.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle 210 g
For anyone who wants to measure out fewer separate ingredients at Christmas dinner. According to the product information, add 350 ml of water; the shaker bottle makes 4–6 pancakes. The mix contains wheat, milk and egg ingredients, so check the current label if allergies are a concern.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A classic base for guests to top with their own sweet or savoury choices. The ingredients list wheat flour, buckwheat flour and rye flour. According to the product information, the pack makes 11–13 pancakes with 850 ml of milk, 2 eggs and cooking fat or oil. This is not a wholemeal base.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A grain mix to consider if you’re not looking specifically for a wholemeal base. The composition given lists 78% wheat flour, 4% wholemeal oat flour and 4% wholemeal barley flour, so this mix is not the same as the separate Koopmans Volkoren variant. According to the product information, the pack makes 11–13 pancakes and requires milk, eggs and cooking fat or oil.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A wheat-based mix for anyone planning to make pancakes separately. The description lists 60% wheat flour and calls for 60 ml of water and 1 egg. If you’re cooking for several guests, check how many pancakes the pack makes before buying, and read the label if anyone has allergies.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete 200 g
A complete pancake mix to compare with the other options. For meal planning, check the pack to see what you need to add and how many pancakes it makes. The listed ingredients include milk ingredients and egg powder. Don’t assume that ‘complete’ means it’s suitable for anyone with allergies; read the current label carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multigrain pancake mix automatically wholemeal?
No. The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which grains are wholemeal. If a wholemeal base matters to you, read the ingredients list for the specific mix.
What else should I have in the house besides the mix?
It depends on the variant you choose. The Koopmans Volkoren mix we looked at requires 900 ml of milk and 4 eggs, the Origineel mix needs 850 ml of milk and 2 eggs, and the Schudfles Compleet needs 350 ml of water. Also check the pack to see whether you need cooking fat, and plan your toppings separately.
Is a regular wholemeal mix also gluten-free?
No. The regular wholemeal mixes we looked at include wholemeal wheat flour. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, check the claim and allergen information on the current pack for the specific product. Don’t rely on the words ‘wholemeal’ or ‘multigrain’.
Why check the label again if I’ve bought the same mix before?
The current packaging gives the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re serving. Check it again if a guest has an allergy, even if you recognise the product name.