Organising a larger coffee morning
Work out in advance how many pancakes you want to serve. Koopmans says a packet of Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes; Albert Heijn gives an approximate yield of 12 per packet for AH Naturel.
For a larger coffee morning, choose a packet with a stated yield that suits the number of guests. For a smaller gathering, a shaker bottle may be a better match for the amount you want to make. The complete mixes in our research require water and cooking fat, while classic varieties may also need milk and eggs. Before serving, always check the label of your chosen mix for ingredients and allergens.
Work out in advance how many pancakes you want to serve. Koopmans says a packet of Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes; Albert Heijn gives an approximate yield of 12 per packet for AH Naturel.
If you only want to make a few pancakes, it’s worth considering a smaller pack. Koopmans says its Origineel shaker bottle makes five pancakes; PLUS also sells a 200 g bottle.
Check what you’ll need in addition to the mix. The Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at require water and cooking fat, while classic varieties may list milk and eggs in the instructions.
Start with the number of pancakes you want to make. Then check which ingredients you’ll need and whether the variety you choose is suitable for your guests’ allergies.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield for your group | Compare the stated number of pancakes per packet with your serving plan. Koopmans gives a yield of 11–13 for Origineel; Albert Heijn gives an approximate yield of 12 for AH Naturel. | If I’m making pancakes for several guests, I want to know whether one packet will be enough. For around 25% of consumers, yield is said to be the most important consideration. |
| Ingredients needed | Check whether you need to add water or milk and eggs, and what type of cooking fat the instructions call for. | If I want to avoid extra shopping, the preparation instructions need to fit my plans. This is said to be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Smaller portions and leftovers | Check the yield of a bottle and the instructions for mixed batter. PLUS says that batter from the bottle we looked at should be used straight away after mixing with milk. | For a small gathering, I don’t want to make more batter than I’ll use. Around 25% of consumers are said to consider portion size the main factor. |
| Guests’ allergies | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. Don’t rely on terms such as ‘complete’ or ‘plain’ alone. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to know which mix I can serve before I buy it. For around 25% of consumers, this check is said to be their first concern. |
A smaller pack won’t necessarily make enough for your guests. Koopmans says its Origineel shaker bottle makes five pancakes, while the manufacturer gives a yield of 11–13 for its Origineel packet.
Compare the stated yield with the number of pancakes you want to serve, then work out how many packs you’ll need.
A classic mix may need more ingredients than a complete mix. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk, eggs and cooking fat for the standard preparation of AH Naturel.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop. Even with a complete mix, check which cooking fat you’ll need.
The complete mixes we looked at may contain ingredients that matter for people with allergies, including wheat, milk derivatives and egg.
Ask your guests about any allergies, then read the current label for the exact variety you plan to use. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of checking food labels when managing food allergies.
PLUS says that batter from the bottle we looked at should be used straight away after mixing with milk. The Voedingscentrum advises not leaving cooked leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Make only as much batter as you can use, and refrigerate any leftover cooked pancakes promptly in a well-sealed container.
Koopmans offers classic and complete mixes, as well as shaker bottles with different yields.
Albert Heijn’s own-label range includes a 400 g Naturel mix, designed to make around 12 pancakes.
PLUS offers 400 g Naturel and Complete mixes, as well as a smaller 200 g Naturel bottle.
Albona is an ALDI own-label brand. The pancake mixes we looked at come in 400 g packs, including plain and multigrain varieties.
Belbake is a Lidl baking brand. The original pancake mix we looked at comes in a 400 g pack.
These Koopmans mixes include small bottles for a smaller coffee gathering and 400 g packets for making pancakes for more guests. Compare the preparation instructions and stated yield of each variety with your plans.
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A smaller pack to consider if you’re making pancakes for a small gathering. Check the preparation instructions and current label before choosing this mix for your guests.
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A shaker pack for making a smaller quantity. Check the instructions to see which liquid to add to this variety, and check the label if you have allergies.
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A 400 g pack of multigrain mix to consider if you’re planning a larger batch. Check the pack for the number of pancakes it makes and what you need to add during preparation.
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A packet to consider if you’re making pancakes for several guests. Koopmans gives Origineel a yield of 11–13 pancakes per packet; check the label to see which ingredients you need to add to this variety.
It depends on the mix: Koopmans gives a yield of 11–13 pancakes for Origineel, Albert Heijn gives an approximate yield of 12 for AH Naturel, and Albert Heijn gives an approximate yield of 10 for the Koopmans Complete mix we looked at. Compare the yield on your pack with the number of guests and how many pancakes you want to serve.
For the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at, you add water and cooking fat. According to Albert Heijn, the standard preparation for AH Naturel requires three eggs, 800 ml semi-skimmed milk and cooking fat. Read the instructions for the exact variety before you shop.
Only choose a mix after asking about the allergy and reading the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. Even a complete mix may contain ingredients such as wheat, milk derivatives and egg that could be relevant. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of checking food labels when managing food allergies.
Store the dry mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.
Cool leftover pancakes promptly and store them in a well-sealed container. According to the Voedingscentrum, cooked pancakes will keep in the fridge for two days, and leftovers should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours.