If you’re making pancakes for a large coffee get-together with older guests, first choose a pack whose yield you can work out. Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes per 400 g; Lidl gives an approximate yield of 12 per 400 g for Belbake. A complete mix saves you measuring out separate ingredients, but whichever you choose, check the preparation instructions and the label for the exact variety.
If you’re cooking for several older guests or a large family, you’ll want to know in advance how many pancakes a pack makes and what other ingredients you’ll need. Compare the yield stated on the pack of the mix you’ve chosen.
A complete mix can be useful for family members, carers or volunteers who want to measure out fewer ingredients. Just check what’s already in the dry mix.
If you need to take allergens into account or compare nutritional values, you’ll need information about the exact variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that people with an illness, dietary restrictions or reduced appetite may need additional, individual dietary advice.
First decide how many pancakes you want to make for your get-together. Then compare the ingredients you’ll need and, if you have specific dietary requirements, read the label for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Yield per pack | Check the pack size and the stated number of pancakes; the actual yield also depends on the size of the pancakes you make. | If I’m cooking for a full table, I want to work out in advance how many packs I’ll need. For around 40% of consumers, getting enough portions is the main priority. |
| Ingredients needed | Check whether you need to add water or whether you’ll also need milk and eggs. | When I’m cooking for the group on my own, I want to get as few separate ingredients ready as possible. For around 30% of consumers, reducing preparation is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and label | Check the ingredients and allergens; only compare nutritional information on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | If I need to take an allergen or dietary requirement into account, the variety I choose must be suitable. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
The size of a pack of mix doesn’t tell you how many pancakes it will make or what you’ll need for the batter. Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes per 400 g, provided you add the required ingredients.
Work out how many packs you need based on the yield of your chosen variety, and factor the preparation instructions into your plans.
If the mix needs milk and eggs, you’ll also need to have those ingredients and cooking fat to hand.
PLUS lists wheat and oats in its wholemeal mix; Jumbo lists wheat, rye, oats and barley among the ingredients in Koopmans Meergranen.
If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the up-to-date pack for other allergen information too.
A value for dry mix isn’t directly comparable with one for prepared pancakes. The ingredients you add and the preparation method affect what ends up on your plate.
Before comparing fibre or salt, for example, check whether the nutritional information is per 100 g of dry mix, per 100 g of prepared product or per serving.
A product listed online may not be available at your chosen shop when you need it. For example, ALDI directs shoppers to its store for its Albona mix.
Before your get-together, check that you can get enough packs of the same variety, with the label you’ve checked.
Koopmans offers several 400 g pancake mixes in the supermarket ranges mentioned, including original, complete, multigrain and gluten-free varieties.
Albert Heijn lists its own-brand mixes in several varieties, including complete, multigrain and wholemeal.
Jumbo lists varieties including Naturel, Compleet and Volkoren in its pancake mix range.
PLUS lists a complete mix and a wholemeal mix, both in 400 g packs.
ALDI lists its own-brand Albona pancake mixes in 400 g packs, including plain and multigrain varieties.
These shakers are options for a smaller batch or as an addition to a larger coffee get-together. If you’re catering for a large group, work out separately how many packs you’ll need.
No image available
A shaker for making a smaller batch; if you’re catering for a large group, work out how many packs you’ll need.
Pack size: 175 g. Before cooking, check what you need to add and, if you have allergies, check the current label.
No image available
An option for a smaller batch if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients; if you’re cooking for a group, work out how many packs you’ll need in advance.
Pack size: 210 g. Read the preparation instructions and, if you have allergies, check the ingredients on the current pack.
It varies by mix and pancake size: Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Origineel makes 11–13 pancakes, while Lidl gives an approximate yield of 12 for Belbake. Use the yield stated on your pack to work out how many you’ll need for the group.
According to their product information, you add water to the complete mixes from Koopmans and PLUS instead of adding separate milk and eggs. That doesn’t mean the dry mix is free from milk or egg ingredients; check the label if you have allergies.
No, those descriptions don’t mean a mix is gluten-free. According to the label, PLUS wholemeal mix contains wheat and oats. If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information too.
Don’t taste Koopmans Glutenvrij batter raw: the product instructions listed by Jumbo and PLUS say it must be heated thoroughly. For any other mix, follow the preparation instructions on its pack.
