For a family lunch, a consumer-sized pack is often more practical than a 5 kg bag. For an event, a bulk pack may be suitable if you have enough ingredients, storage space and cooking capacity. Choose a wholegrain mix if you want to consider the grains, but also assess the lunch based on how you prepare the pancakes and what you serve with them.
Want to make a batch of pancakes without having to store a large bag? Compare the yield per pack with the number of people you’re feeding, and check which other ingredients you’ll need for the batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also explains how to freeze cooked pancakes for a later lunch.
A 5 kg professional bag may be suitable for a club, event or large family gathering. Before choosing one, check that you have room to store the mix and that your mixing bowls and cooking capacity are suitable for the number of portions you’re planning.
Want to compare grain types and nutritional value, or do you need to avoid certain allergens? Read the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the pack you’re buying. Any milk, eggs, cooking fat and toppings you add also contribute to the finished lunch.
First, decide how many pancakes you want to make and how much time you have to prepare them. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g of prepared product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Grain types and what you serve for lunch | Check which flours the mix contains and compare fibre and salt on the same preparation basis. Choose separately what you’ll serve with the pancakes. | If I want to consider the grains in my lunch, I look beyond the word ‘wholegrain’ on the front of the pack. This nutritional consideration is the most important one for around 36% of consumers. |
| Quantity and yield | Compare the pack weight with the stated yield, and check that you can mix, cook and store the amount of batter you’ll need. | When I’m making lunch for a large group, I want to plan enough portions without storing more mix than I’ll use. This is the most important consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add milk and eggs, just water or other ingredients. | If there’s little time to make the batter, I want to know in advance how many extra ingredients I’ll need. Around 21% of consumers prioritise easy preparation. |
| Allergens and preparation options | Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens, any ‘may contain’ warnings and instructions for alternative preparation methods. | If certain ingredients need to be avoided, a preparation suggestion alone isn’t enough to choose a mix. Checking ingredients and allergens is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereals contain more fibre than white cereal products. However, the mix doesn’t determine which ingredients you add to the batter or what you eat with the pancakes.
Read the ingredients in the mix, then decide separately which other products you’d like to serve for lunch.
A 5 kg bag is only practical if the quantity suits the number of people you’re feeding and you have enough room to mix, cook and store it. You’ll also need milk and eggs for the standard preparation of Koopmans Professioneel Pannenkoekmix Speciaal.
Plan the whole preparation around the manufacturer’s stated yield and the number of pancakes you want to serve.
Remember to factor in the ingredients you’ll need, cooking capacity and storage space.
A version made without added milk or eggs doesn’t change the ingredients in the dry mix. According to its product information, Albert Heijn’s wholegrain mix contains wheat and wheat gluten.
Check the current label for every mix and additional ingredient you use, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
The ingredients and nutritional information on a pack can change. Current information is important when you’re checking allergens or comparing products.
Use a product page to shortlist your options, then read the pack you’ve actually bought before using it.
Koopmans offers a consumer-sized wholegrain mix and, under the Koopmans Professioneel name, a 5 kg mix.
The own-brand wholegrain mix comes in a 300 g household pack and includes a suggested plant-based preparation option.
Jumbo offers a 400 g wholegrain pancake mix for household use.
PLUS offers both a wholegrain mix and a 400 g complete mix; one key difference is how they’re prepared.
ALDI lists a 400 g pack of Albona multigrain pancake mix.
Lidl lists a 120 g pack of Belbake multigrain pancake mix.
This 400 g mix is worth considering if you want to make enough pancakes at home for several lunch portions. Check the pack to see whether the yield and preparation suit your plans.
Image unavailable
Consider this household pack if you want to make several portions for lunch. Before buying, compare the yield, required ingredients and allergen information on the current label with your own preparation plans.
Start with the number of pancakes you want to serve and the yield of the specific mix. Koopmans says its 400 g pack of Pannenkoeken Volkoren makes 13 to 15 pancakes; for Pannenkoekmix Speciaal, Koopmans Professioneel states a yield of around 12 to 15 pancakes per kg. If you’re buying a bulk pack, also check the ingredients you’ll need and your cooking capacity.
No. The grains in the mix are just one part of the lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a varied diet and including vegetables at lunch, so also consider how you prepare the pancakes and what you serve with them.
Some manufacturers suggest alternative ways to prepare their mixes. For its wholegrain mix, Albert Heijn suggests using a plant-based drink and apple purée or an egg replacer. Check the recipe for your chosen mix and the ingredients in anything you add. Preparing it with plant-based ingredients doesn’t mean the mix is gluten-free.
Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. Also check the ingredients you add to the batter yourself.
