Groups keeping an eye on what they’ll need
If you’re making pancakes for several people, check how many each pack makes and what other ingredients you’ll need to bring or buy.
Which option is right for you?
Holidaymakers with a basic kitchen
If milk, eggs or a mixing bowl aren’t provided, a mix made with water or a shaker bottle may be more practical. Be sure to check the full preparation instructions.
Shoppers who read the label carefully
If you have an allergy or prefer to avoid certain ingredients, the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details for the exact variant matter more than the name on the front of the pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many pancakes you want to make at your holiday cottage and what’s already in the kitchen. Then compare the preparation instructions for the options that suit your needs.
Basic mix
A good fit if: you’re making pancakes for several people and already have, or are bringing, the ingredients you need.
Bear in mind: additional ingredients vary by product. For example, Koopmans Original calls for milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Complete mix
A good fit if: you’d rather not bring milk and eggs for the batter. The PLUS and Koopmans mixes described here are made with water.
Bear in mind: both sets of preparation instructions still call for butter or oil for cooking.
Shaker bottle
A good fit if: you want to make a small batch without needing a separate mixing bowl.
Bear in mind: the original Koopmans shaker bottle calls for milk and, according to Koopmans, makes about five pancakes.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Especially useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and extra ingredients | Compare the pack size and stated yield, and check which ingredients are already available. | If I’m making pancakes for a group, I want to make enough batter without bringing unnecessary extra ingredients. Around 36% of consumers put having everything they need first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check what you need to add and what kitchen equipment the instructions call for. | In a basic kitchen, I want to get started with as little preparation as possible. For around 29% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the pack for the exact variant. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to check what’s in the mix, I don’t want to rely on the product name. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Small portions | Check the stated yield and storage instructions for any unused dry mix. | If I’m only making a few pancakes, I don’t want to be left with lots of mix. Around 14% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
Common mistakes
-
Choosing a basic mix without checking what you need to add
For Koopmans Original 400 g, the product information lists 850 ml of milk, two eggs and butter or oil. These ingredients make a difference if they aren’t available at your holiday cottage.
Check the preparation instructions against your shopping list before choosing a pack.
-
Assuming ‘complete’ means you don’t need anything else
The instructions for PLUS Complete and Koopmans Complete call for water for the batter, but also butter or oil for cooking.
Before you set off, check that there’s a suitable pan and cooking fat, as well as any other equipment listed on the pack.
-
Relying on conflicting allergen information
On the G'woon Complete product page, the ingredients list includes wheat, a milk ingredient and egg powder, while the allergen information contradicts this. If you have an allergy, don’t rely on that information alone.
Check the current label on the pack and, if in doubt, ask the manufacturer or retailer for clarification before using the product.
Brands and own-label options at a glance
Koopmans
Koopmans offers basic mixes, complete mixes and shaker bottles.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g Complete mix is made with 700 ml of water. You’ll also need butter or oil for cooking.
- For the 400 g Original basic mix, Joybuy’s product information lists milk, eggs and butter or oil as additional ingredients.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes plain and complete pancake mixes.
- A plain mix and a complete mix give you a choice of different preparation methods.
- Check the instructions and label for the variant you choose; the ingredients may differ.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists separate 400 g plain and complete pancake mixes.
- The two variants make it easy to check which additional ingredients you’ll need.
- Read the preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- For its 400 g Complete mix, PLUS lists 700 ml of water to add to the batter.
- PLUS also recommends butter or oil for cooking.
Albona (ALDI)
Albona is ALDI’s own brand of baking products, including a 400 g plain pancake mix.
- The plain mix is a basic option if you want to compare the preparation instructions with what’s already in your kitchen.
- Check which ingredients you need to add for the pack you choose.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix in a 400 g pack.
- Lidl states that one pack makes about twelve pancakes.
- Before choosing this variant, check the pack for additional ingredients, ingredients and allergen information.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These Koopmans mixes include a shaker bottle and two 400 g packs. For your holiday cottage, compare the quantity you want to make and what you’ll need to add.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle for making a small batch without needing a separate mixing bowl.
Pack size: 175 g. Bear in mind that, according to the product information, you’ll need to add milk. Read the full instructions on the pack.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone who wants to check which grains are used when choosing a pancake mix.
400 g pack. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and required additions on the exact pack.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A basic mix for making pancakes for several people, provided you have the ingredients you need.
For this 400 g pack, Joybuy’s product information lists 850 ml of milk, two eggs and butter or oil. The stated yield is 11 to 13 pancakes.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix can I use if there’s no milk or eggs at the holiday cottage?
A complete mix made with water may be a good fit. The PLUS Complete and Koopmans Complete mixes described here call for 700 ml of water. You’ll also need butter or oil for cooking.
What should I check if I have an allergy?
Check the allergen information and ingredients list on the current pack of the exact mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirement to declare 14 allergens. If product information conflicts, ask for clarification before using the mix.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store dry pancake mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the instructions on the pack.
Can I store cooked pancakes?
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months. Store them in a tightly sealed container.
Can you judge a wholemeal or multigrain mix by its name?
No. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the specific pack. In a 2020 test, the Dutch Consumers’ Association looked at factors including wholemeal flour, added sugar and salt, but that older test doesn’t provide a current verdict on every variant available today.