If you want to serve dessert with coffee
You might be looking for a distinctive flavour in the pancake itself, such as the speculoos pieces in the mix described by Albert Heijn, or a base you can finish with your own toppings.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to keep mixing to a minimum
You’re making pancakes for a small coffee get-together and want to know whether you only need to add water, use milk in a shaker bottle or add eggs as well. Koopmans and PLUS describe different methods of preparation.
If you’re making pancakes for guests with different preferences
You want to tailor the flavour to each plate and check the mix’s ingredients and allergens before you start cooking. Be sure to check the current packaging for the variety you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want speculoos or cinnamon in the mix, or would rather choose a base you can finish yourself. Then check which preparation method and quantity will suit your coffee get-together.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour in the mix | Check which flavourings are in the mix and how many pancakes the pack makes. | If I want to serve a treat with a distinctive flavour and not many toppings, I’d rather choose a flavour my guests will enjoy in advance. For around 40% of consumers, that built-in dessert flavour comes first. |
| Preparation and quantity | Compare the required additions and stated yield; if you’re using a shaker mix, check when you need to use the batter. | For a small coffee get-together, I don’t want to make more batter or measure out more ingredients than I need. Around 30% of consumers prioritise simple preparation above all else. |
| Flexibility for guests | Read the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging, and choose toppings to suit your guests. | When guests have different tastes or need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to choose the toppings for each plate. For around 30% of consumers, this flexibility is also their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a strong flavour for everyone
Speculoos and cinnamon both influence the flavour of the pancake. A plain base gives you more freedom to offer guests different toppings, but it also needs more finishing touches.
Before you buy, decide whether everyone wants the same flavour or whether you’d rather finish each pancake individually.
You’ll need to provide the toppings separately if you want to add your own finishing touches.
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Guessing the allergens from the mix’s name
A flavour name won’t tell you which grains, milk or eggs a variety contains or may contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed in the ingredients list on the label.
If you’re catering for guests with allergies, check the current packaging for both the mix and the toppings you’ve chosen, including any statements about possible traces.
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Leaving cooked pancakes out for too long
Leftovers from your coffee table need to be stored promptly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against leaving pancakes out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Cool leftovers quickly, seal them and put them in the fridge or freezer within two hours. For cooked pancakes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping them for two days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.
Brands and ranges to explore
Koopmans
Koopmans offers pancake mixes with distinctive flavours, as well as mixes you can finish yourself.
- The speculoos variety described by Albert Heijn contains speculoos pieces, while the cinnamon variety contains buckwheat and cinnamon.
- Required additions, yield and allergens vary by variety. A plain mix needs more of your own finishing touches to make a distinctive dessert.
Albert Heijn
The range described includes AH pancake mixes and varieties from other brands, including Koopmans.
- You can compare different flavoured mixes with plainer bases.
- Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the specific variety you want to use.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range includes its own plain, complete and wholemeal mixes, alongside varieties from other brands.
- The different types make it easy to compare a customisable base with a complete mix.
- A category overview is no substitute for checking the preparation and allergen information on the pack you choose.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl lists original and multigrain pancake mixes from Belbake.
- Lidl states that the original mix makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack you choose to see which ingredients and preparation method will suit your guests. These variety names don’t indicate a distinctive dessert flavour.
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI describes Albona plain and multigrain mixes as bases for pancakes.
- For the plain variety described, ALDI says to add milk and eggs.
- For a specific dessert flavour, choose your own suitable toppings; check the instructions for the variety in question.
PLUS
PLUS describes plain, complete and shaker mixes among its own range.
- The complete mix described is made with water, while PLUS says to use semi-skimmed milk with its plain mix in a bottle.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by variety. Also check whether prepared batter from a shaker needs to be used straight away.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes suit two ways of making pancakes for coffee time: choose a base you can finish yourself, or a pack that means less mixing for a smaller batch. Before choosing toppings for your guests, check each product’s flavour, preparation instructions and ingredients.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A base for anyone who wants to choose their own sweet toppings. Check the packaging to see what you need to add and whether the ingredients are suitable for your guests.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For a small batch with toppings of your choice. Joybuy says to add 350 ml of water to this Koopmans shaker bottle, which makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check what else you need before you start cooking.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A good choice if you want to customise the flavour of each plate with your own toppings. Koopmans says to add milk, eggs and butter to its Original Pancake Mix; follow the instructions on the packaging for this variety.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The shaker bottle is a good option if you want to use less mixing equipment and choose your own toppings. Check the packaging to see what type and quantity of liquid to add, how many pancakes you can make and which allergens are listed.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu Pancake Mix with Milk Flavour 100 g
If you’re considering this milk-flavoured mix for coffee time, check how many pancakes the pack makes and what you need to prepare it before buying. Also check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix gives the pancakes a dessert flavour of their own?
A mix with added flavourings will give your pancakes a distinctive taste without relying on toppings as the only source of flavour. Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Speculoos Pancake Mix contains speculoos pieces and suggests serving it with red fruit and cream or vanilla ice cream. Choose this distinctive flavour only if it suits your guests.
Do I still need milk and eggs for a complete mix?
For the Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix described, you add water instead of measuring out milk and eggs yourself. PLUS also says to use water for its complete mix, but recommends adding butter or oil to the pan. Always follow the instructions for the variety you buy.
How do I check a mix if a guest has an allergy?
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for both the mix and your chosen toppings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed in the ingredients list; also check any statements about possible traces.
How should I store cooked pancakes after coffee time?
Put leftovers in the fridge or freezer within two hours. For cooked pancakes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them for two days in the fridge or three months in the freezer.