For a larger coffee morning, a mix that makes enough pancakes per pack is a practical place to start. A complete mix calls for fewer separate ingredients, but may make fewer pancakes. Then choose according to the extra ingredients needed, and if anyone has dietary requirements, check the current label on both the mix and the toppings.
If you’re feeding several guests, start by checking how many pancakes each pack makes. Koopmans says Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes, while Compleet makes 8 to 10. Choose the number of packs according to how many you want to serve.
You want to measure out fewer separate ingredients. A complete mix or shaker bottle could suit you, as long as you also check the liquid and cooking fat needed, along with the yield.
You may be looking for a wholemeal or multigrain base, or have a guest who needs to eat gluten-free. These are different choices: check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack before choosing the toppings too.
First, work out how many pancakes you want to make for your coffee morning and which ingredients you want to add. Then check that your chosen mix and toppings suit your guests’ dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | Compare the number of pancakes per pack with the number of guests and the portions you want to serve. Koopmans lists 11 to 13 for Origineel and 8 to 10 for Compleet. | When I’m cooking for a full table, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. A sufficient yield is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check which liquid and cooking fat you’ll need; a complete mix doesn’t necessarily require water alone. | If you’re cooking between other preparations, you’ll want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Grain base | Check the ingredients to distinguish between wholemeal and multigrain. Only compare nutritional information on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | If the batter’s ingredients determine my choice, I want to know which grains it contains. Grain preferences are the most important factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the current label on the mix, any required additions and the toppings; wholemeal and multigrain don’t mean gluten-free. | If a guest needs to avoid something, choosing suitable ingredients comes before yield or convenience. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Having fewer ingredients to measure out doesn’t tell you anything about the allergens in the mix. According to PLUS, PLUS Complete still needs baking butter or oil, and contains wheat, milk and egg.
Before buying, check both what you’ll need to add and the allergens listed on the packaging.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren contains wheat gluten. A mix made with several types of grain may also contain gluten-containing ingredients.
If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, choose only a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the current label and toppings together.
A mix that makes fewer pancakes may mean you need extra packs for a larger group; other varieties need milk and eggs.
Compare the stated yield and add all the required ingredients to your shopping list.
Ingredients and product information can change. If a guest has an allergy, the packaging on the product you’re actually using is therefore important.
Before cooking, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack.
Koopmans offers a range that includes classic, complete, multigrain and gluten-free pancake mixes. Compare the varieties by yield and what you need to add, not just by brand name.
AH offers plain, multigrain and wholemeal mixes, among others. The wholemeal variety is an option if the type of grain used is an important factor in your choice.
PLUS offers a wholemeal mix and a complete mix, so you can choose between that grain base and having fewer ingredients to add yourself.
Albona is ALDI’s baking brand, which offers a multigrain pancake mix as well as a plain variety.
Belbake is Lidl’s baking brand, with an original pancake mix as its standard option.
These Joybuy products include a 400 g mix and two shaker bottle varieties. Choose according to how you want to prepare them, and check that the yield and ingredients on each pack suit your coffee morning.
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If the grain base of your batter matters to you, Joybuy describes this mix as multigrain. Check the packaging to see which grains it contains and what you need to add to prepare it.
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A shaker bottle for anyone who wants to measure out fewer separate ingredients. Joybuy says each bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes, so bear that in mind if you’re feeding several guests. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the packaging.
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A shaker bottle variety for anyone who prefers to mix the batter in the packaging. Before buying, check which liquid you’ll need and how many pancakes the pack says it makes.
A complete mix generally limits what you need to add to the batter yourself: according to Koopmans, Compleet needs water and one pack makes 8 to 10 pancakes. Check the cooking fat and allergens too; PLUS Complete, for example, contains wheat, milk and egg.
No, those descriptions don’t mean a mix is gluten-free. According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren contains wheat gluten; check the ingredients and allergens on the current label for every variety.
Choose a product whose current label meets that guest’s needs, and check any additions and toppings too. Koopmans says its gluten-free pancake mix meets the AOECS standard, but that doesn’t tell you whether milk, eggs or toppings are suitable for someone with a different allergy.
No, cook the pancakes according to the preparation instructions on the packaging before serving them. When planning, check which ingredients you need to add to the batter too.
