Hosts catering for fussy eaters
You want to serve a familiar pancake base and let guests choose their own sweet or savoury toppings.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts who also want to offer wholemeal
You’re looking for a second mix made with wholemeal flour, or a multigrain option for guests who prefer it.
Hosts short on preparation time
You want to know before the dinner party whether you’ll need milk and eggs as well as the mix, or whether you can choose an option that you make up with water.
What should you look for?
First, decide which taste preferences you want to cater for. Then compare the preparation instructions and the number of pancakes each pack makes, so you can plan how much you’ll need for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| A familiar base | Check whether the pack says plain or original. If you’re making this option for everyone, check how many pancakes it makes. | If guests want a range of toppings, I’d choose one familiar base. For around 37% of consumers, that familiar taste matters most. |
| Wholemeal or multigrain | Read the variety name and ingredients list: a multigrain mix is not necessarily the same as a wholemeal one. | If guests ask for wholemeal, I want to know exactly which mix I’m serving. For around 36% of consumers, this preference comes first. |
| Preparation | Check which additional ingredients and cooking fat are listed in the instructions for the pack you’ve chosen. | If I’m short on time before the meal, I want to have all the ingredients ready in advance. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming plain and multigrain are the same
A different variety can also taste or feel different. Koopmans describes its organic multigrain mix as a blend of finely milled wholemeal flour with a full flavour and a slight bite; this is not an independent taste comparison.
Ask your guests in advance whether they’d like a wholemeal option. If they have different preferences, you can make two smaller quantities of batter.
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Only putting the mix on your shopping list
According to the manufacturer, Koopmans Origineel requires milk, eggs and butter. You can make up a complete mix with water, but the cooking instructions may still call for baking butter or oil.
Read the instructions on the exact pack before you shop, and make sure you have any cooking essentials you’ll need.
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Guessing the allergens from the variety name
Names such as plain, wholemeal and complete don’t tell you which allergens are listed for the product you’ve bought. Ingredients and product information can also change.
Check the latest label on every pack and keep the packaging available for any guests who want to read the information themselves.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers varieties including Origineel, Volkoren, organic Meergranen and Compleet.
- According to Koopmans, Origineel contains wheat, oats and buckwheat; Compleet is made up with water.
- Compare the preparation instructions, and check the latest pack for ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers its own-brand Naturel and Volkoren mixes in 400 g packs.
- These two varieties make it easy to compare which base best suits your guests’ preferences.
- Check the ingredients, preparation instructions and availability of each variety at your chosen shop.
PLUS
PLUS offers its own-brand varieties in plain, wholemeal and complete options.
- The instructions for PLUS Complete call for water, as well as baking butter or oil.
- PLUS recommends checking the packaging for the latest ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI own brand, with plain and multigrain pancake baking mixes.
- The two varieties give you a choice between plain and multigrain.
- Check the ingredients and preparation instructions on your chosen pack; variety names don’t definitively indicate taste or suitability for a particular diet.
Belbake
Lidl offers Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
- This original variety is worth considering if you’re looking for a classic pancake mix.
- Check the latest product information and availability before choosing this mix for your dinner party.
Pancake mixes for different preferences
These Joybuy products include a wholemeal option and original mixes for guests with different preferences. The shaker packs can be handy if you want to make a smaller quantity alongside another variety.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
An option if you want to offer a wholemeal variety alongside original pancakes. Remember that you’ll need extra ingredients to prepare it, and check the latest label for guests with allergies.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
An original base that lets your guests choose from a range of toppings. Koopmans says Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack and calls for milk, eggs and butter; check the instructions and allergen information on the pack you buy.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The shaker pack could be a good fit if you want to make a small extra batch of original pancakes. Check how many bottles you’ll need for your guests, which additional ingredients the instructions call for and what the label says about allergens.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
An option if you’d rather add water to the batter than prepare milk and eggs separately. Check the cooking instructions for any cooking fat you may need, how much you’ll need for your guests and the latest allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose plain or wholemeal pancake mix for a dinner party?
Choose an original or plain mix if you want a familiar base, and add a wholemeal or multigrain option if guests would prefer it. Making two smaller quantities of batter lets you cater for both preferences without choosing just one flavour for everyone.
How many pancakes will one pack make?
It varies by product: Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. Plan how much you’ll need for your guests using the yield shown on the pack you actually buy.
Do I always need milk and eggs for pancake mix?
No. Koopmans says to use milk, eggs and butter with Origineel, while Koopmans Compleet is made up with water, according to the manufacturer. Check the cooking instructions too: PLUS says its complete mix also requires baking butter or oil, as well as water.
How can I cater for guests with allergies?
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on every pack you buy, and keep the packaging available for your guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; a variety name such as plain, wholemeal or complete is no substitute for this information.