For a Christmas meal with several guests, a mix that clearly states how many pancakes each pack makes is a practical choice: Albert Heijn says Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes, while Jumbo lists around 12 portions for its 400 g Naturel mix. A complete mix means you need fewer extra ingredients for the batter, but you’ll still need cooking fat. A shaker bottle with a lower yield is better suited to an extra round than to feeding the whole table.
You want to work out how many packs you’ll need before you buy, whether you’re making a breakfast, brunch or informal dinner for everyone to share. Compare the yield on the packaging: Albert Heijn says Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes, while Jumbo lists around 12 portions for its Naturel mix.
You want to choose between a complete mix, where you add water to the batter, and a smaller shaker bottle for an extra round. Check the instructions to see what cooking fat you’ll need, too.
You want to know before you start cooking whether the mix you’ve chosen is suitable for your guests. Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the label of the specific pack. A gluten-free label alone doesn’t tell you whether it contains egg or milk.
For a bigger stack, go by the stated yield; to avoid buying lots of separate ingredients, check the preparation instructions. A shaker bottle may be an option for a small extra round. For every type, check whether the ingredients and allergens are suitable for everyone sharing the meal.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | The number of pancakes or portions stated per pack, and how many you want to make for each guest. | If several people are eating, I don’t want to find halfway through that one pack won’t make enough. For around 50% of consumers, getting a sufficient yield would be the main consideration. |
| Preparation | Whether the batter needs water, milk or eggs; check how much cooking fat you’ll need as well. | If I want to keep extra shopping to a minimum, what I need besides the mix matters most. Convenience would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The current label, including details of wheat, egg and milk, as well as any warnings about cross-contamination. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to choose a suitable pack before I buy. For around 20% of consumers, this check would be the top priority. |
Koopmans says its Schudfles Origineel makes around five pancakes, compared with 11–13 for a pack of Origineel according to Albert Heijn. A small bottle may run out sooner than you’d expect when cooking for a group.
First decide how many pancakes you want to make, then use the stated yield to work out how many packs to buy.
Preparation varies between types. According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Origineel requires milk and eggs. With the complete mixes from Koopmans and PLUS, you add water, but you’ll still need cooking fat.
Before buying, compare the preparation instructions with what you already have at home, and check the yield per pack as well.
The complete mixes reviewed contain ingredients including wheat, milk and egg. PLUS’s product information also says that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain egg and milk.
Check the current label for every type you choose, including warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
When you’re sharing a meal, you may have pancakes left over. The Voedingscentrum advises not leaving leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours.
If you like, cook the pancakes in batches. Cool any leftovers quickly and store them in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer.
Koopmans offers several types, including Origineel, Compleet, Meergranen, shaker bottles and a gluten-free pancake mix.
Albert Heijn sells its own-brand pancake mixes in several varieties, alongside branded products.
Jumbo sells its own 400 g Naturel mix, as well as varieties from Koopmans.
PLUS sells its own-brand Naturel and complete mixes, as well as a smaller bottle mix and branded varieties.
ALDI lists ALBONA pancake baking mixes in 400 g packs.
Lidl lists Belbake Pannenkoekenmix Origineel in a 400 g pack.
These mixes suit two options for Christmas: a 400 g pack for a stack to share, or a smaller Complete variety for an extra round. Choose the quantity and preparation method to suit your guests, and check the label on the pack you select.
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A 400 g pack to help you plan a stack to share, provided you also have the ingredients needed to prepare it. Check the stated yield, preparation instructions and allergens on the specific pack.
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A 400 g pack for a meal to share, if adding milk and eggs works for your plans. Albert Heijn says Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes; check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack.
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This smaller 210 g Complete variety is handy for planning an extra round. Before you buy, check the yield, preparation method and allergens for this specific pack; don’t assume it makes as many pancakes as a larger pack of Compleet.
Work out how many packs you need based on the yield of the variety you choose and how many pancakes you want to serve each guest. Albert Heijn says Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes; Jumbo lists around 12 portions for its 400 g Naturel mix. Consider whether you’ll be serving other dishes before deciding how many packs to buy.
A complete mix is a good option if you’d rather add water to the batter than use milk and eggs. According to the product information, the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes reviewed both need 700 ml of water; make sure you also have cooking fat. Check the yield and label for the variety you’re buying.
Don’t taste the batter raw, and make sure the pancakes are cooked through. Follow the preparation instructions for the mix you’ve chosen.
Read the label on the specific pack before you buy, and check for warnings about the possible presence of allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on pre-packed foods. According to PLUS’s product information, a gluten-free Koopmans mix may still contain egg and milk. Take care to avoid cross-contamination when cooking and serving, too.
Cool leftover pancakes quickly and store them in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. The Voedingscentrum advises not leaving leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours, and says pancakes can be kept for two days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.
