Bakers looking for a festive flavour
If you want the pancake itself to have a seasonal December flavour, a speculoos variety is one option. Before planning a baking session, check whether that specific mix is available at your shop.
Who are the different mixes suitable for?
Planners of quick baking sessions
A complete mix or shaker bottle could be a good choice for a small batch with minimal measuring. Check how many pancakes the pack makes and whether you need to add water or milk, as this varies by product.
Bakers who choose based on ingredients
If you’re checking for allergens, a gluten-free label or a preference for wholemeal, you’ll need the details for the exact mix. Wholemeal and gluten-free describe different properties, so check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before choosing a mix for your Advent treats, decide whether flavour, preparation, ingredients or the number of portions you need is the main priority.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Festive flavour | Check the flavour additions and whether the mix is available at your shop. | If you want the pancake itself to have a seasonal December flavour, you won’t want to rely entirely on toppings. For around 40% of consumers, this flavour would be their main concern when buying. |
| Minimal preparation | Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. | For a quick baking session, I don’t want to have to measure out milk and eggs as well. That’s why around 30% of consumers would prioritise ease of preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product, including gluten-free or wholemeal mixes. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or specifically want to choose wholemeal, the packaging needs to meet that need. An estimated 20% of consumers would make this their first consideration. |
| Yield per pack | Compare the stated yield with the number of pancakes you want to make. | If I’ve planned a certain number of treats, I want enough batter without lots left over. For around 10% of consumers, yield would be the main priority. |
Common mistakes when buying and preparing pancake mix
-
Mistaking a base mix for a complete mix
You may need to add milk and eggs to a standard mix, while Koopmans says its complete mix only requires water. You’ll notice the difference when you come to make the batter.
Read the preparation instructions and check which ingredients you need to add before choosing a mix for your baking session.
With a non-complete mix, you’ll need to have the required milk, eggs and, possibly, cooking fat at home.
-
Assuming a flavoured variety will be available
PLUS’s product page states that Koopmans Pannenkoekmix Speculoos is not available at the relevant PLUS store. So if your plans depend on that exact flavour, check availability in advance.
Check what your shop has in stock before planning your treats, and consider a base mix if you’d rather add the flavour yourself with toppings.
-
Confusing gluten-free with wholemeal
A wholemeal mix isn’t automatically gluten-free. Other ingredients and allergens still matter, even with a mix that is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Read the current packaging for the exact product and check each label and the allergen information against what you want to avoid.
Pancake mix brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an original mix, a complete mix, a speculoos variety and a separate gluten-free option.
- Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; with Pannenkoeken Compleet, you only need to add water.
- Ingredients and required additions vary by product. If you have dietary requirements, always check the relevant packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range lets you compare different types of pancake mix, including standard and complete varieties.
- The range overview is a useful starting point when choosing a type of mix.
- Check the ingredients and preparation information for the exact product; the overview is no substitute for the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers plain, complete and wholemeal mixes alongside other brands and varieties.
- With different pack sizes available, it’s worth comparing the quantity with how many pancakes you plan to make.
- Check the exact product you choose for its ingredients, yield and preparation instructions.
PLUS
PLUS offers, among other products, a plain shaker bottle and standard and wholemeal mixes.
- With the PLUS plain shaker bottle, you mix the batter with milk in the bottle.
- PLUS says to use the batter from this shaker bottle straight away and not store it once mixed. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other mixes.
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI’s Albona range includes a 400 g multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
- The product description and pack size help you compare the type and quantity you’re looking for.
- Check the packaging of this specific mix for allergen and nutritional information.
Belbake (Lidl)
Belbake offers a 400 g original pancake mix.
- Lidl states that this variety makes around 12 pancakes, which can help you plan a baking session.
- Lidl lists this variety as an in-store product; check the packaging for full ingredients and allergen information.
Pancake mixes for different baking occasions
These Joybuy mixes are suited to quick baking sessions with a shaker bottle or a larger batch that you can customise with toppings. Above all, compare what you need to add and how many pancakes you need.
No image available
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to measure out fewer ingredients for a small Advent baking session. The pack contains 210 g; check the preparation instructions and yield to make sure it’s enough for the number of treats you’re planning.
No image available
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The shaker bottle could be handy for a one-off baking session when you don’t want to use a separate mixing bowl. This variety contains 175 g of mix and requires milk; check the packaging to see how much to add.
No image available
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A base mix for a batch of pancakes that you can finish with your own toppings. The pack contains 400 g; Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. You’ll need to add extra ingredients to prepare it.
No image available
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A wholegrain option to compare if you want to add your own toppings. The pack contains 400 g; check the label for the exact grains, allergens and any ingredients you need to add.
Frequently asked questions
Is a premium pancake mix automatically better suited to Advent treats?
No. The word ‘premium’ alone doesn’t tell you what flavour, ingredients or preparation to expect. Compare the product information on the packaging with the treat you want to make.
Which mix is right for a small, quick batch?
A shaker bottle could be a good choice if you want to make a small amount of batter without using a separate mixing bowl. Check what you need to add: according to the product information, the 210 g Koopmans Complete shaker bottle requires water, while other shaker bottles may require milk.
Do I need to check for other allergens with a gluten-free mix?
Yes. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a mix is free from all other allergens. Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information on the labels of prepacked foods.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
Follow the preparation instructions and don’t taste the batter raw if the packaging says it must be thoroughly cooked. Albert Heijn gives this instruction for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij.
Can I keep batter in a shaker bottle for another baking session?
That depends on the instructions for the exact shaker bottle. PLUS says that batter made in its plain shaker bottle with milk should be used straight away and not stored.