If you want to choose your own toppings for Easter brunch, a plain pancake mix gives you the most flexibility for sweet and savoury combinations. A complete mix means you need fewer extra ingredients, while a shaker bottle is best for making a small batch. If you’re catering for guests, compare the stated yield too, and check the label for ingredients and allergens.
You want to serve pancakes with toppings such as fruit, cream or nuts, and perhaps offer a savoury course too. A plain base leaves you free to choose; compare the yield per pack with the number of portions you need.
You want to measure out as few extra ingredients as possible while preparing the rest of your brunch dishes. For complete mixes such as Koopmans Compleet and AH Compleet, the product information says to add water. A shaker bottle cuts down on mixing, but compare the yield if you’re expecting several guests.
Before buying, you want to check whether the exact mix, any possible traces and the ingredients you’ll add are suitable for your guests. Read the full label: choosing a complete or gluten-free option doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about eggs and milk.
First decide whether you’re looking for topping flexibility, control over the ingredients or fewer preparation steps. Then think about how many pancakes you want to make: a bottle and a standard pack are designed for different quantities.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom to choose toppings | Choose a flavour that works with your planned sweet or savoury toppings; check whether a specific flavour mix is available. | I want to use one base for different brunch plates, without an added flavour dictating my toppings. This flexibility is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible traces on the exact pack; remember to include any ingredients you’ll add yourself. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten, eggs or milk, I want to know what’s in both the mix and the finished batter. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Compare what you need to add and how to mix the batter; also check what you’ll need for cooking. | With the rest of the Easter brunch to prepare, I want to have as few extra ingredients to hand as possible. Fewer preparation steps matter most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Number of portions | Compare the stated yield per pack with the number of pancakes you want to serve. | I don’t want to discover halfway through cooking that there isn’t enough mix for my guests. Getting enough portions is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
A mix that only needs water added can still contain allergens. For example, the ingredients listed for PLUS Complete include milk and eggs. Even a mix sold as gluten-free needs to be checked separately for eggs, milk and possible traces.
Compare the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact product with anything your guests need to avoid, including ingredients you’ll add yourself.
According to the product information from PLUS, the Koopmans Origineel shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Koopmans says its standard pack of Koopmans Origineel makes 11 to 13. So one bottle may not be enough if you’re making a larger stack.
Decide how many pancakes you want to serve in advance, then compare that number with the yield of the pack you choose.
A flavoured option isn’t always a reliable starting point for your menu: Jumbo says Koopmans Speculoos is no longer part of its online range.
Check availability before planning your brunch around a particular flavour. With a plain mix, you can create the flavour you want using your own choice of toppings.
According to Voedingscentrum, raw eggs and flour in batter can contain harmful bacteria.
Don’t taste the batter raw, and only serve the pancakes once they’re fully cooked.
Koopmans offers several options, including Origineel, Compleet, a gluten-free mix and a shaker bottle. They differ in how you prepare them and how many pancakes they make.
Albert Heijn lists Naturel and Complete pancake mixes.
PLUS lists several options, including plain, complete, wholemeal and bottle mixes, so you can compare the preparation method and grain content.
ALDI offers pancake mixes under its own-brand name Albona, including a plain option.
Lidl offers Belbake Pannenkoekenmix Origineel and a multigrain option.
These mixes offer different starting points for an Easter brunch with your choice of toppings: packs for a larger stack, bottle options for a smaller course, and a milk-flavoured mix. Check what you need to add to each pack and how many portions it makes.
Image unavailable
A multigrain option for a brunch where you choose the toppings.
Before buying, check that the milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need fit with your plans. This mix contains gluten-containing grains, so it isn’t a gluten-free option.
Image unavailable
A plain base if you want to serve both sweet and savoury brunch dishes.
Koopmans says a pack of Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes, and you add milk, eggs and butter yourself. Check the label for allergens and possible traces.
Image unavailable
A bottle mix to consider for a small extra brunch course with minimal mixing.
Add milk and shake the bottle. Compare the yield with the number of guests, and check the label if eggs, milk or gluten are a concern.
Image unavailable
A complete bottle mix to consider for a smaller brunch course if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs separately.
Add water. When choosing, bear in mind how much the bottle makes and check the label: only needing to add water doesn’t mean the mix is free from eggs or milk.
Image unavailable
A milk-flavoured mix to consider if you’re making pancakes for dessert.
Add water and an egg. Check how many pancakes the pack makes before planning for several guests, and read the label if wheat or gluten are a concern.
For a complete mix such as Koopmans Compleet or AH Compleet, the product information says to add water. Check how many pancakes the pack makes and what else you’ll need for cooking. A shaker bottle can mean less mixing, but depending on the option, you may need to add milk, for example.
No. The terms multigrain and wholemeal don’t mean that a mix is gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free option, check that the exact product is labelled as gluten-free, and read the ingredients, possible traces and any additions required.
No, read the full ingredients list for the pancake mix you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens required to be declared must be clearly identifiable on the label. Also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings and the ingredients you’ll add yourself.
Don’t taste pancake batter raw. According to Voedingscentrum, raw eggs and flour can contain harmful bacteria; cook the pancakes fully before serving.
