For a Christmas brunch, choose a complete pancake mix if you want to make the batter with water; a plain mix is a good fit if you’re happy to add milk and eggs. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, check the current packaging: ‘complete’ does not mean allergen-free, and a wholemeal mix is not automatically gluten-free.
If you’re making pancakes for several people and are short on time, a complete mix can be a handy choice. According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, the complete mixes reviewed need water; you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the specific pack you choose. For example, the Koopmans Gluten-Free mix listed by PLUS may contain egg and milk.
If you’re serving both sweet and savoury toppings, you could consider a plain mix. When working out how much you need, check the yield per pack and what else you’ll need for the batter and cooking.
First, work out which ingredients your guests need to avoid and what you want to add to the batter. Then check the type of flour and how much you’ll need for your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check what you need to add to the batter and whether you’ll need cooking fat. | If I’m preparing several dishes at once for a Christmas brunch, I want to measure out as few ingredients as possible for the batter. Quick preparation is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you choose. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten, milk or egg, I want to be able to check whether the mix is suitable before buying it. For around 25% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Quantity | Check the pack size, stated yield and any ingredients you’ll need to add yourself. | For a family dinner, I want to be able to make enough pancakes without relying on the pack size alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need. |
| Type of flour and menu | Check which types of flour the mix contains and whether the flavour will suit your planned toppings. | If I’m specifically looking for a wholemeal or multigrain base, I want to know what’s actually in the mix. This is the most important consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
‘Complete’ describes what you need to add to the batter. According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, the complete mixes reviewed also contain allergens such as wheat, milk and egg.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variant you want to buy.
The AH wholemeal mix listed by Albert Heijn contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten. So the type of flour you’re looking for doesn’t tell you whether a mix is suitable if gluten needs to be avoided.
Look for an explicit gluten-free statement on the pack, and check the rest of the allergen information too.
‘Medium sliced’ describes the thickness of sliced bread, not how pancake mix is made or what it contains.
Choose pancake mix based on relevant features, such as what you need to add, the type of flour, allergens and yield.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list several Koopmans pancake mixes, including Original, Complete, Wholemeal and Gluten-Free.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes Complete and Wholemeal pancake mixes, among others.
Jumbo lists its own-brand Plain and Complete mixes, including 400 g packs.
PLUS lists Plain, Complete and Wholemeal mixes in boxes, as well as a shaker bottle.
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona multigrain mix and a plain variant.
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original pancake mix.
These mixes offer options for a smaller batch, a plain or multigrain base, and different preparation methods. Compare the packaging and ingredients you’ll need to add with your plans for the Christmas get-together.
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The 210 g pack is a good option if you’re looking for a smaller amount of mix. Check how many pancakes you can make with it and read the ingredients before choosing this variant for your guests.
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This 400 g pack is a good choice if you’re selecting a mix based on the grains it contains. Check the types of flour and allergens listed on the label, and see what you’ll need to add to the batter.
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This 400 g Original mix is an option if you want to add milk and eggs to the batter yourself. Albert Heijn recommends 850 ml of milk and two eggs for Koopmans Original; follow the instructions on the label for this pack and check the allergen information.
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The 100 g pack is a smaller option. Check the preparation instructions and yield on the pack to work out how many you’ll need for your planned number of guests; remember to check the ingredients and allergens too.
For the Koopmans variants reviewed, the main difference is what you add to the batter. According to Albert Heijn, Original needs 850 ml of milk and two eggs, while Complete needs 700 ml of water. You’ll still need butter or oil for cooking.
Not based on that description alone: the AH Wholemeal mix listed by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour and wheat gluten. Choose a pack with an explicit gluten-free statement and check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Yes, check the packaging of the variant you’re buying now. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed in the ingredients; don’t rely on the brand name or a previous purchase alone.
Don’t eat the batter from the Koopmans mixes reviewed raw. The product information says the batter must be heated thoroughly; follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
