If you make pancakes regularly
A 1 kg bag is a good choice if you want to use the mix over several cooking sessions or are making pancakes for more guests. Plan ahead for how you’ll store any unused mix.
Which pack size is right for you?
If you want to prepare a small dinner with ease
A smaller complete mix could be a good fit if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients for the batter. Check what else you’ll need to add before you start cooking.
If you need a particular grain variety or have dietary requirements
Choose carefully between options such as wholegrain and products specifically labelled gluten-free. If you have dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack rather than relying on the product name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re making pancakes just for this dinner or plan to use the mix again later. Then compare what needs to be added and check that the variety you choose is suitable for everyone eating.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the pack weight with how much you plan to make, and consider whether you’ll use the rest later. | I make pancakes regularly or expect more people to eat, and don’t want to use up the mix in one evening. Around 40% of consumers prioritise using it across several cooking sessions. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, and whether you’ll need cooking fat. | For an impromptu dinner, I want to get as few extra ingredients ready as possible. Around 30% of consumers say this convenience is their top priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information, even for a complete or gluten-free variety. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to be sure which variety I’m serving. Around 20% of consumers put checking allergens first. |
| Grain variety | Compare the grains listed and the type of mix, rather than looking at the brand name alone. | I’m looking for a particular grain base for my pancakes. Around 10% of consumers say this choice is a key factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a 1 kg bag is a portion for two
Van de Meester recommends 1.7 litres of water per kilo for its mix. If you’re making pancakes for one small dinner, you don’t need to use the whole bag.
Decide how much you want to make that evening, and choose 1 kg mainly if you’ll use the remaining dry mix for future cooking sessions.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free too
‘Complete’ describes how to prepare the mix, not whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy. You may also need butter or oil for cooking.
Read both the preparation instructions and the current allergen label before choosing a mix for your guests.
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Assuming every 1 kg mix is the same product
Joybuy’s American Protein Pancake Mix Natural lists a protein blend containing whey, soya and wheat protein. The same pack weight doesn’t make it identical to a traditional 1 kg mix.
Compare the full product name, ingredients and preparation method if you’re considering another mix as an alternative.
Brands and product ranges compared
For these product ranges, pay particular attention to pack size, preparation method and ingredients, as they can vary between varieties.
Van de Meester
Van de Meester also presents its 1 kg Oud-Hollandse pancake mix as suitable for making larger quantities.
- Van de Meester says to mix 1 kg of mix with 1.7 litres of water.
- The mix contains gluten, milk and egg, and may contain traces of nuts. This size is best if you’ll use the quantity.
Molen de Hoop
The traditional 1 kg mix is an option if you want a larger bag and are happy to add milk and eggs yourself.
- Baktotaal gives a recipe for every 250 g of mix: 550–600 g of milk and 2 eggs. This means you can make up just part of the bag.
- The mix contains wheat. Check the allergen information too if other ingredients need to be avoided.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers several pancake mixes, including Original, Complete and gluten-free varieties.
- Koopmans says to add milk, eggs and butter to its Original mix, while its Complete mix calls for water.
- The gluten-free variety is a separate product. Check the current label of each variety for other allergens.
PLUS
PLUS lists 400 g Natural, Complete and Wholegrain mixes for anyone who doesn’t need a 1 kg bag.
- The preparation instructions for PLUS Natural list milk and eggs; PLUS Complete calls for water.
- According to PLUS, the wholegrain variety contains ingredients including wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal oat flour, so it isn’t the same as a gluten-free mix.
Albona
ALDI lists a 395 g pack of Albona Natural pancake mix.
- According to ALDI, prepare this mix with milk and eggs.
- This smaller pack won’t replace a 1 kg bag if you’re looking to stock up for several cooking sessions.
Smaller pancake mixes at Joybuy
These 175–400 g packs are options if you don’t want to buy a 1 kg bag for dinner. Compare the preparation instructions for each mix and check that the ingredients are suitable for your guests.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A smaller complete mix to consider for dinner for two. Check the preparation instructions and the current allergen label.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A small shaker pack for a quick batch. Before buying, check which additions are required by the preparation instructions.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
An option to consider if the grain base matters to you. Compare the ingredients and required additions with what you plan to make for dinner.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A standard mix for anyone who wants to add their own ingredients to the batter. Before cooking, check which additions are required for this pack.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete 200 g
A smaller pack for anyone who doesn’t need 1 kg of mix. Check the preparation instructions. If you have an allergy, pay particular attention to the current label, as the allergen information and ingredients list contradict each other.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 kg of pancake mix a good choice for dinner for two?
It’s a good choice if you’ll use the leftover dry mix later or are making pancakes for more people too. For its 1 kg mix, Van de Meester recommends 1.7 litres of water when preparing the whole bag. For one small batch, you could also consider a smaller pack.
What’s the difference between a standard and a complete mix?
The standard mixes mentioned call for milk and eggs, while Koopmans and PLUS say to add water to their complete varieties. Check the instructions on the pack you choose for any butter or oil needed for cooking too.
How do I choose a mix if a guest needs to avoid an allergen?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack of the specific mix. For example, a gluten-free label doesn’t mean the product is also free from milk or egg.
Can you eat pancake batter raw?
Not with Koopmans Complete: Albert Heijn says this mix’s batter shouldn’t be eaten raw and must be cooked through. For other mixes, follow the instructions on the pack.