Cooking for a group
After the egg hunt, you’ll want enough pancakes for the children and adults. The number stated per pack and the ingredients you need to add yourself matter more than the pack size.
Who are you cooking for?
Preparing an Easter brunch
If pancakes are part of a more substantial meal, you might choose an organic or multigrain mix. Even then, check the preparation instructions and the number of pancakes each pack makes.
Checking ingredients carefully
Words such as plain, wholemeal or multigrain don’t tell you which allergens are in the pack. Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and remember to include anything you add to the batter or use as a topping.
What should you look for?
First, work out how many people will be eating and whether you want to have milk and eggs ready. Then check the label for any ingredients you need to avoid, and only then choose between a plain, complete or speciality mix.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for the group | Compare the stated number of pancakes per pack with the number of people eating. Make a note of how much milk and how many eggs you’ll need for the quantity you’ve chosen. | If lots of people want to eat at once after the egg hunt, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. Getting enough pancakes is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Less preparation | Check whether the mix needs water or milk and whether you need to add eggs. If it comes in a shake bottle, check when you need to use the mixed batter. | I don’t want to spend ages measuring ingredients around the activity, but I still want enough time to cook. Around 27% of consumers therefore prioritise easy preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the exact pack. Remember to include any milk, eggs and toppings you add. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to know what’s in both the mix and the finished batter. Checking ingredients is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Choosing for Easter brunch | Check whether the specific pack is labelled organic or which grains it contains, then compare the ingredients needed and the number of pancakes it makes. | For a more substantial brunch, I want to choose a particular mix, even if it takes more preparation. Around 20% of consumers make this choice a key part of their meal planning. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on a shake bottle as your only mix for a group
A small bottle leaves you less room to make extra pancakes if more people join in. With the PLUS bottle, the batter must be used straight after mixing it with milk.
For the main batch, compare the stated yield per pack. A shake bottle is best when a small round of pancakes suits your plans.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means the mix is allergen-free
‘Complete’ describes how the mix is prepared. It doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone who needs to avoid, for example, eggs or milk.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack and check your cooking fat and toppings too.
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Confusing multigrain or wholemeal with gluten-free
AH lists wheat and wheat gluten in its wholemeal mix. Koopmans lists wheat, oats, barley and rye, among other ingredients, in its multigrain mix.
If you need a gluten-free option, look for a mix specifically labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging and any ingredients you need to add.
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Letting children taste uncooked batter
Koopmans’ product information for its gluten-free mix says the batter isn’t meant to be eaten raw and must be thoroughly heated.
Don’t let children taste uncooked batter, and only serve the pancakes once they’re fully cooked.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers complete, original, multigrain and gluten-free-labelled pancake mixes, among others. Preparation varies by product.
- According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water for the batter, and one pack makes 8 to 10 pancakes.
- The organic multigrain mix sold at PLUS needs 900 ml milk and 4 eggs, according to its product page. Don’t confuse this with other Koopmans multigrain mixes.
AH
AH offers plain and wholemeal mixes as different options for anyone who wants to add ingredients to the batter themselves.
- According to Albert Heijn, one pack of AH Naturel makes around 12 pancakes. The preparation instructions call for 800 ml semi-skimmed milk and 3 eggs.
- According to its ingredients list, AH Volkoren contains wheat and wheat gluten, so it isn’t a gluten-free option.
PLUS
PLUS offers a complete mix in a box and a plain mix in a bottle. Choose according to how the mix is prepared and how many pancakes you want to make.
- The PLUS preparation instructions state that the complete mix in a box needs 700 ml water, as well as butter or oil for cooking.
- According to PLUS, the plain mix in a bottle needs around 400 ml semi-skimmed milk. Once mixed, the batter must be used straight away.
Albona
At ALDI, Albona offers a 400 g multigrain mix and a 395 g plain mix.
- The two options give you a choice between plain and multigrain.
- ALDI lists milk and eggs as ingredients needed for the plain mix. Check the pack you buy for its ingredients and allergen information.
Belbake
Belbake offers an original pancake mix if you’re looking for a classic option.
- Lidl states that the original mix comes in a 400 g pack and makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the packaging to see which ingredients you need to add and whether the mix is suitable for any dietary requirements.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These products let you choose between multigrain, original, complete and milk-flavoured mixes. Choose a pack to suit the size of your group, and check the preparation instructions and ingredients for each option.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A good option for a brunch when you want to use a multigrain mix. Compare the stated yield with the size of your group, and check the pack for the ingredients needed and allergen information.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
An original mix for anyone who wants to choose their own toppings. Before you start cooking, check the pack to see how many pancakes it makes and what you need to add to the batter.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider for a smaller batch. Check the yield and preparation instructions on this pack before relying on it for the whole group.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
If you’re considering a milk-flavoured mix, compare it with the other options. Check how many pancakes the pack makes, what you need to add and the nutritional information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix needs little preparation after the egg hunt?
A complete mix is handy if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs separately. According to Koopmans and PLUS, the complete mixes mentioned here only need water for the batter, as well as cooking fat. Check the instructions on the exact pack, though, as a shake bottle may need milk.
How can I estimate how many packs I’ll need for a group?
Use the stated number of pancakes per pack to help you plan, and compare it with the number of people eating. According to the relevant product information, Koopmans Compleet makes 8 to 10 pancakes, AH Naturel around 12, and Koopmans Biologische Meergranen 12 to 14. The actual yield also depends on how large you make them.
Is a wholemeal or multigrain mix gluten-free?
No. Those names don’t mean a product is gluten-free. According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren contains wheat and wheat gluten, while Koopmans lists wheat, oats, barley and rye, among other ingredients, in its multigrain mix. If you need a gluten-free option, check the label and ingredients on the exact pack.
Can I let someone taste raw pancake batter?
Don’t do this with the Koopmans Glutenvrij mix: its product information says the batter shouldn’t be eaten raw and must be thoroughly heated. Cook the pancakes through before serving them.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for your chosen mix. Also check any milk, eggs, cooking fat and toppings you’re using. Voedingscentrum stresses the importance of allergen information on the label; the product name alone isn’t a substitute for it.