Hosting a larger group
You want to know how many pancakes you can make from a pack, and what milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need as well. This helps you tailor your shopping to the number of guests.
Which option suits you?
Organising with little time to prepare
You want to be able to make the batter just before your coffee morning, using as few separate ingredients and utensils as possible. A complete mix and a shaker bottle require different additions, and won’t necessarily make the same number of pancakes.
Checking ingredients for your guests
You may be looking for a wholemeal or multigrain option, or need to take an allergy or intolerance into account. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ll actually be using.
What should you look for?
For a coffee morning, first work out how many pancakes you want to make and which ingredients you can bring. Then compare the preparation method, grain content and allergens for each option.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for your group | Check the pack size and stated yield; also note which ingredients you’ll need to add. | When I’m cooking for several guests, I want to make enough batter without running short of ingredients during the get-together. For around 36% of consumers, planning the quantity for a group comes first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the mix calls for water or milk, and whether you mix the batter in a bowl or in the pack. | Just before the coffee morning, I want to be able to make the batter quickly without measuring out lots of separate ingredients. Around 29% of consumers give this preparation the highest priority. |
| Choice of grains | Read which grains the mix contains and compare the nutritional information per 100 g; also check what needs to be added. | If I want to offer guests a wholemeal or multigrain option, the ingredients need to match what I’m looking for. Grain choice is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current pack. | If a guest has a food allergy, I want to check the exact product before making the batter. For around 14% of consumers, checking the ingredients is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Forgetting the extra ingredients
A regular mix may call for milk, eggs and cooking fat. Planning only how many packs to buy doesn’t mean you have everything you need for the batter.
Read the preparation instructions and make one shopping list for the number of pancakes you plan to cook.
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Assuming a shaker bottle is enough for a group
Koopmans describes its Original shaker bottle as making five pancakes. One bottle may therefore not be enough for a larger group.
Work out how many packs you need based on the stated yield of the option you choose.
For a larger group, you may need to bring several bottles and prepare each one separately.
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Confusing grain or nutritional claims with allergen information
The name wholemeal or multigrain doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a guest with an allergy. Other claims on the front of the pack don’t replace the ingredients list either.
For the guest in question, check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current pack.
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Serving uncooked batter
The Joybuy product information for Koopmans Original Pancake Mix says not to eat the batter raw and to cook it thoroughly.
Follow the preparation instructions on the pack and cook the pancakes through.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers regular and complete mixes, as well as shaker bottles, each with a different preparation method.
- Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Compleet needs only water for the batter and makes 8 to 10 pancakes.
- According to Koopmans, the Original shaker bottle needs milk and is intended to make five pancakes; check how much you’ll need for your group.
Albert Heijn huismerk
Albert Heijn lists own-brand plain, multigrain and wholemeal mixes, so you can choose by grain type too.
- The packs listed range from 300 to 400 g.
- According to Albert Heijn, its AH wholemeal mix needs milk, eggs and margarine or oil.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo lists regular and complete pancake mixes, including a 200 g complete pack.
- The smaller complete pack is another option if you don’t want to use a large pack.
- Jumbo says prepared batter made with its Mix voor Pannenkoeken Compleet 200 g should be used straight away, so plan when to mix it around your cooking time.
Belbake bij Lidl
Lidl lists Belbake mixes for original and multigrain pancakes.
- You can choose between the listed Belbake options by grain type.
- Lidl says some of its baking range is available in store only; check availability at your local branch.
Albona bij ALDI
ALDI lists Albona pancake mix in plain and multigrain varieties.
- ALDI lists the plain variety in a 400 g pack.
- Check in store which variety is available and what ingredients you’ll need to prepare it.
PLUS huismerk
PLUS lists, among other options, a regular plain mix and a complete mix.
- PLUS says its Naturel 400 g needs 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil; its Complete 400 g needs 700 ml water and cooking fat.
- Check the label of the option you choose, including the ingredients and allergens.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These options offer a few things to consider for a coffee morning with guests: a regular mix, an option to look at for its grain content, and two formats for anyone who prefers a different way to prepare the batter. For each one, match the pack size and preparation instructions to your group.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
A regular mix to consider if you’re planning batter for several guests.
400 g pack. Check the preparation instructions for the ingredients you’ll need to add and the yield. Don’t eat the batter raw, and cook the pancakes through.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
An option for anyone who wants to pay close attention to the grain content for their coffee morning.
400 g pack. Read the ingredients and nutritional information to check the mix’s composition; also check the label for the ingredients you’ll need to add and allergen information.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you’d rather measure out fewer separate ingredients.
210 g pack. Check how much you need to add and how many pancakes one pack makes, especially if you’re expecting several guests.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle to consider if you want to mix a smaller quantity of batter on the spot.
175 g pack. Before deciding how many bottles to bring for your guests, check which liquid you’ll need and how many pancakes one bottle makes.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between regular mix, complete mix and a shaker bottle?
The main differences are what you need to add and how you mix the batter. PLUS lists milk, eggs and cooking fat for its regular plain mix, and water and cooking fat for its complete mix. A shaker bottle is mixed in the pack; according to the brand, Koopmans’ Original shaker bottle needs milk and makes five pancakes.
Should I check the label again if a guest has an allergy?
Yes. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re going to use, even if you’ve bought the mix before. Look out for any cross-contamination warnings too; the product name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for that guest.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store the mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the storage instructions on your pack.
Are ready-made pancakes the same as pancake mix?
No. Dry pancake mix still needs to be made into batter and cooked. Ready-made pancakes are a different type of product; ALDI describes its ready-made pancakes as needing only to be reheated.