If you’d like smaller pancakes rather than large, thin ones for your Easter brunch, look for an American-style pancake mix. The preparation instructions for the AH mix we looked at result in pancakes around 10 cm across. However, that measurement alone doesn’t tell you how thick they’ll be. For larger pancakes, a standard or complete pancake mix is a better fit for the preparation methods described. With a complete mix, you need to add fewer ingredients to the batter.
If you’d like portions smaller than a pancake covering the whole pan, an American-style pancake mix gives you a helpful starting point. Albert Heijn says its mix makes pancakes around 10 cm across; check separately whether the preparation method also gives you the thickness you’re after.
If you’re cooking several pancakes in a row, it can make a difference how many ingredients you need to measure out for the batter. With the PLUS and Koopmans complete mixes we looked at, you add water; you’ll still need cooking fat for the pan.
If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, the product name alone isn’t enough. The PLUS wholemeal mix we looked at contains wheat and oats; the allergen information for the Koopmans gluten-free mix says it may contain egg and milk.
Choose this style: if you want smaller pancakes for brunch; the AH mix we looked at makes pancakes around 10 cm across.
Bear in mind: a smaller diameter doesn’t prove that the pancakes will be a certain thickness, and you’ll need to add milk and cooking fat to this mix.
Choose this option: if you want to make large pancakes; the PLUS plain mix we looked at is spread in a thin layer across the base of the pan.
Bear in mind: with the standard mixes we looked at, you’ll need to add milk, eggs and cooking fat yourself.
Choose this option: if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients for the batter; with the mixes we looked at, you add water.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need cooking fat, and the complete mixes we looked at contain milk and egg ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Check the portion and preparation instructions; a stated diameter doesn’t confirm how thick the pancakes will be. | If you want smaller brunch portions rather than batter that spreads across the whole pan, the preparation size is your priority. Around 31% of consumers would put size first. |
| Preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add to the batter and whether you’ll need cooking fat. | If you want to measure out as little as possible on brunch day, the preparation method matters. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise easy preparation. |
| Quantity | Compare the pack weight and stated number of pancakes, taking the size of each portion into account. | If you’re cooking for several guests, you’ll want to know in advance how many portions you can make. Around 31% of consumers would put a good yield first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredient and allergen information on the packaging, including any warnings about possible traces. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten, egg or milk, the ingredients matter more than convenience or size. Around 15% of consumers would put these checks first. |
The instructions for the standard and complete mixes we looked at describe spreading a thin layer of batter across the base of the pan. A stated smaller diameter doesn’t tell you how thick the pancakes will be, either.
Look for a mix with preparation instructions for the pancake size you want, and check the instructions rather than relying on the category name alone.
The complete mixes we looked at contain milk and egg ingredients, the PLUS wholemeal mix contains wheat and oats, and the Koopmans gluten-free mix may contain egg and milk.
Check the current ingredient and allergen information on the packaging for every guest, even if the product name sounds suitable.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw flour can contain harmful bacteria; raw egg also needs to be handled carefully.
Don’t taste raw batter. Wash your hands while preparing the mixture and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
Koopmans offers a range of pancake mixes, including standard, complete, shaker-bottle and gluten-free options. The right one for you depends on the preparation method and the ingredients you need.
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers a standard pancake mix and a separate mix for American-style pancakes.
PLUS’s own-brand range includes plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes among the products we looked at.
Look for a mix specifically designed for American-style pancakes and follow the portion instructions. Albert Heijn says the mix we looked at makes pancakes around 10 cm across; that measurement alone doesn’t guarantee a particular thickness.
Yes. With the complete mixes we looked at, you add water to the batter and still need cooking fat for the pan. Check the ingredients too if milk or egg is a concern for your guests.
Not necessarily. The allergen information for the Koopmans gluten-free mix we looked at says it may contain egg and milk. Check the current packaging for all the ingredients a guest needs to avoid.
It’s best not to taste raw batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns about harmful bacteria that can be found in raw flour, among other things; cook the pancakes thoroughly.
