Busy stallholder
If you’d rather not measure out lots of separate ingredients during busy periods, a complete mix that only needs water is worth considering. Check how much batter you can make at a time, too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Seller of topped snack portions
If you want to cut pancakes into portions or serve them with toppings, test them using the pan, portion size and serving method you’ll use on the day. Instructions for thin, pourable batter don’t tell you how sturdy a thicker snack portion will be.
Seller who gets questions about ingredients
If customers ask about milk, eggs, gluten or plant-based preparation, you’ll need to check both your chosen mix and the toppings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says sellers must tell customers about allergens in the food they prepare or sell.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how you want to prepare the batter during the market. Then make a test batch to see whether the pancake works with your topping, cutting method and serving style.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdy snack portions | Check the preparation instructions and make a test batch with your chosen topping and cutting method. | I want to be able to cut and serve a topped pancake without having to guess how sturdy it will be. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Making batter during busy periods | Check which ingredients you need to add and how much batter each batch makes. | When the queue at my stall gets longer, I want to be able to make another batch using as few separate ingredients as possible. This is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Read the label on the exact mix you’re buying, and record the ingredients in your toppings and any risk of cross-contact. | I want to answer customers’ questions about ingredients without assuming that a quality of the dry mix automatically applies to the cooked pancake. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Stocking up and availability | Compare pack sizes, additional ingredients and stated yield; check availability at your chosen shop before buying. | I want to know how many packs and additional ingredients I’ll need for the portions I plan to serve. This is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a standard mix will make thick snack portions
The instructions discussed here from Albert Heijn and PLUS say to let the batter spread thinly over the base of the pan. That doesn’t mean a thicker pancake will cook through or hold a heavy topping.
Before offering a sturdy snack portion, test it with the exact pan, heat source, topping, cutting method and serving style you plan to use.
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Assuming that a mix that only needs water is allergen-free
A complete mix may already contain milk and eggs. And a dry mix labelled vegan or lactose-free isn’t automatically gluten-free.
Check the current label for the exact product you’ve chosen, and include all toppings in the allergen information you give customers.
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Comparing pack sizes alone
A complete mix and a mix that needs milk, eggs and fat require different preparation. The stated yield also varies by product.
For each portion you plan to serve, work out which ingredients, packs and preparation steps you’ll need.
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Treating a market stall like a home kitchen
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says food at markets and events must be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically. Customers must also be able to get information about allergens.
Agree on your procedures and any participation requirements with the organiser in advance, and check with the local council where necessary.
Brands compared
Koopmans
Koopmans offers both a traditional and a complete pancake mix. The main difference is which ingredients you want to add yourself.
- According to Koopmans, Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter or oil; Compleet only needs water.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergens for each variety. Choosing a complete mix doesn’t guarantee a sturdy snack portion.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers wholemeal and multigrain mixes, among other varieties. These names refer to different products.
- Albert Heijn describes its dry AH Volkorenmix as vegan and lactose-free, and includes a plant-based preparation option.
- The wholemeal mix contains wheat and gluten. The preparation instructions discussed for the wholemeal and multigrain varieties call for thin, pourable batter.
PLUS
PLUS offers a complete pancake mix that you prepare with water.
- According to PLUS, you add 700 ml of water to a 400 g pack of Complete.
- The product information lists wheat, milk and eggs. Before selling, check the label on the pack you’re using.
Albona
ALDI lists Albona as the own brand for its multigrain pancake mix; it also offers a plain variety.
- You can choose whichever of these two product types best suits your recipe when planning your menu.
- Check the ingredients for the exact variety and its availability at the store where you plan to shop.
Belbake
Belbake is the brand of the original pancake mix sold by Lidl.
- Lidl lists a 400 g pack as making around 12 pancakes.
- Before finalising a recipe or allergen information for your stall, read the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer different ways to prepare batter for a Christmas market: with water in a shaker or with ingredients you add yourself. Test each product to see whether it works for the snack portion you have in mind; the product name alone doesn’t tell you how sturdy a cut portion will be.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete shaker mix worth considering if you want to carry fewer separate ingredients. Check the preparation instructions and yield on the pack when planning for your stall.
Make a test batch of the snack portion you have in mind, and check the allergens in the mix and toppings.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
A traditional mix for anyone who wants to prepare the additional ingredients themselves. According to Koopmans, the original variety needs milk, eggs and butter or oil.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to store these ingredients, and test before selling to make sure the cooked pancake works with your topping and cutting method.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker pack worth considering if you want to make smaller batches of batter. You’ll also need to plan how to transport and store the milk required for preparation.
Check the yield and allergens on the pack, and make a test batch with your chosen topping.
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Koopmans Wholegrains multigrain pancake mix 400 g
A multigrain mix to consider if this type of product suits your planned menu. Before preparing it, check which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed on the label.
Don’t assume the grains will make a sturdier snack portion; test the finished portion with its topping.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A 100 g pack to consider for a test batch. Before finalising your stall recipe, check the label for the ingredients required and any allergens.
Test the yield, cooking and sturdiness with your planned topping before relying on this mix for market portions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a standard pancake mix suitable for thick snack portions?
You’ll need to test this with your chosen mix and preparation method. The instructions for the Albert Heijn and PLUS mixes discussed here describe thin, pourable batter, not a proven result for thick portions. Make a test batch with your final topping, cutting method and serving style.
Which mix needs the fewest separate ingredients at the stall?
A complete mix that only needs water means fewer separate ingredients for the batter. Koopmans says this applies to Compleet, and PLUS says the same of its complete mix. Also check what you’ll need for the pan and which allergens are already in the mix.
Do I need to tell customers about allergens in unpackaged pancakes?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says sellers must tell customers about allergens in the food they prepare or sell. Include the mix and all toppings in the information you keep available at your stall.
How should I store opened mix and leftover pancakes?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, store opened pancake mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. For cooked pancakes, it recommends cooling leftovers quickly and storing them in the fridge or freezer; don’t leave them out of the fridge for more than two hours.