Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone cooking for a large Christmas gathering

You want to work out in advance how many packs you’ll need for a large family, brunch or small event. The stated yield per pack will help you plan.

Anyone short on preparation time

You want to avoid having to set out lots of separate ingredients during the Christmas rush. That’s why it’s worth checking the preparation instructions for complete and plain mixes.

Anyone catering for allergies

You’re choosing for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, so check the packaging of each variety. Preparing food separately may also be important if there’s a risk of cross-contamination.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how many pancakes you want to make. Then choose a preparation method that suits your plans and check the ingredients for everyone who’ll be eating.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Amount of batter Check the yield per pack and how many packs are in a bundle; a 3-pack isn’t one large pack. For a full Christmas table, I want to know how many pancakes I can make so I can plan how many packs to buy. Having enough would be the first consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Preparation Check which ingredients you’ll need in addition to the mix, such as water, milk, eggs or cooking fat. On a busy Christmas morning, I don’t want to have to get milk and eggs ready for the batter as well. Less preparation would be the main priority for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for each variety you choose, including gluten-free mixes. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the mix and whether there’s a risk of cross-contamination during preparation. This would be the main purchasing concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a 3-pack is one large pack

    The Koopmans Original 3-pack at Albert Heijn contains three separate packs. The contents and preparation instructions for each pack are unchanged.

    Check how many packs are in the bundle and use the yield per individual pack to plan.

  • Treating plain and complete mixes as if they’re prepared in the same way

    A complete mix may need fewer extra ingredients than a plain mix, but you’ll still need to follow the instructions for water and cooking fat.

    Read the preparation instructions for your chosen variety before buying the other ingredients.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    According to the product information, the gluten-free Koopmans variety listed by PLUS may contain egg and milk. The way you prepare it also matters if there’s a risk of cross-contamination.

    Ask which ingredients your guest needs to avoid, read the current packaging and prepare the mix separately if necessary.

  • Leaving opened packs unsealed

    If you open a pack well before Christmas, take care when storing it.

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing pancake mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Check the packaging before using the mix, too.

Brands compared

Koopmans

Koopmans offers several varieties, including Original, Complete and a gluten-free pancake mix. Compare each variety individually, as preparation instructions and allergen information differ.

  • Koopmans says a pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes. With Complete, you’ll need water and cooking fat as extra ingredients.
  • Information for Original or Complete doesn’t automatically apply to other Koopmans varieties.

Albert Heijn

The supermarket’s own-brand range includes several pancake mixes. Albert Heijn also sells a Koopmans Original 3-pack.

  • Albert Heijn states that 400 g of AH Plain makes around 12 pancakes.
  • The Koopmans 3-pack contains three separate products, not one larger pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers 400 g own-brand Plain and Complete varieties. Their preparation methods differ, which is worth bearing in mind when putting together your shopping list.

  • The two varieties give you a choice of which extra ingredients suit your preparation plans.
  • Jumbo lists ingredients including wheat, milk and egg for Complete; check the label for your guests.

PLUS

PLUS offers 400 g Plain and Complete mixes, which require different preparation.

  • According to PLUS, its Complete mix needs water and cooking fat, without milk or eggs as separate preparation ingredients.
  • According to the product information, PLUS Complete contains wheat, milk and egg. Check the current packaging if anyone has an allergy or dietary requirement.

Belbake (Lidl)

Belbake offers a 400 g Original pancake mix, which Lidl lists as an in-store product on its product page.

  • Lidl states that each pack makes around 12 pancakes, which can help you plan how many packs to buy.
  • Check the packaging information on the product you choose in store.

Albona (ALDI)

Albona offers 400 g pancake mixes, including a plain variety.

  • You can include individual 400 g packs in your shopping plan for a larger group.
  • Use the yield shown on your chosen pack to work out how many you’ll need.

Pancake mixes for planning your supplies

This Joybuy selection includes two separate 400 g Koopmans mixes. Compare the varieties and check the yield and preparation instructions on the packaging before choosing several packs for your Christmas table.

Koopmans wholegrain pancake mix 400 g

Koopmans wholegrain pancake mix 400 g

A variety to consider if you’re looking to buy several individual packs for a larger gathering. The pack contains 400 g of mix; check the yield, extra ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g

Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g

A variety to consider if you want to plan how many packs to buy based on Koopmans’ stated yield for Original. According to Koopmans, a 400 g pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes; check which extra ingredients you’ll need before you start preparing the batter.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How much pancake mix do I need for Christmas?

First decide how many pancakes you want to make, then divide that number by the yield per pack of your chosen mix. Round up to the next whole pack. Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, while Lidl states that Belbake makes around 12. These figures don’t necessarily apply to other varieties.

When should I choose a complete mix instead of a plain one?

Choose a complete mix if you want to set out fewer separate ingredients. PLUS says its Complete mix needs water and cooking fat. For a plain variety, check its own instructions for ingredients such as milk, eggs and cooking fat before you shop.

Is gluten-free pancake mix also free from egg and milk?

Not necessarily. The gluten-free Koopmans mix listed by PLUS may contain egg and milk. Check the current packaging for any ingredients your guest needs to avoid, and bear in mind the risk of cross-contamination during preparation.

Can I buy pancake mix before Christmas?

Yes, as long as the packaging and use-by date suit your plans and you store the mix properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, including after opening a pack.