Pancake Mix for Father's Day: Multigrain or With Seeds?

Who is this choice relevant to?

Father’s Day bakers looking for seeds

You want seeds in your pancakes, not just a mix of different grains. So check the ingredients list: the multigrain mixes described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo list grains and flours, but no seeds.

Families comparing grains

You’re making pancakes for several people and want to know which grains or wholemeal flours a mix contains. Also check how many pancakes the pack makes and which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself.

Bakers who need to check allergens

If someone eating the pancakes needs to avoid an ingredient, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack first. The grains containing gluten, milk and egg vary by mix and preparation method.

What should you look for in pancake mix?

Before you make Father’s Day breakfast, decide whether seeds, the grains used or suitability for everyone eating are your top priority. Then compare the ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes each pack makes.

Multigrain mix

Choose this when: you want to compare the different grains in a mix.

Bear in mind: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the mix contains seeds; the varieties checked contain grains with gluten.

Complete mix

Choose this when: you’d rather just add water to make the batter.

Bear in mind: the Koopmans and PLUS varieties described contain wheat, milk and egg; you’ll also need fat for frying.

Gluten-free mix

Choose this when: the mix needs to be gluten-free for someone eating.

Bear in mind: the Koopmans variety described needs milk and eggs to prepare and may contain egg and milk.

Shaker bottle mix

Choose this when: you want to make a smaller batch; Koopmans says its Schudfles Origineel makes around five pancakes.

Bear in mind: even with a shaker bottle mix, check what you need to add and which allergens are listed on the pack.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Seeds	Check that the seeds you want are specifically listed in the ingredients; don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’.	I want to make pancakes with seeds for Father’s Day and don’t want to accidentally pick up a mix containing only different grains. For around 46% of consumers, seeds are the top priority.
Grains and wholemeal flour	Compare the grains listed and check which flours are described as wholemeal.	When making breakfast for several people, I want to choose which grains go into the batter. For around 27% of consumers, choosing the grains is the top priority.
Preparation and allergens	Check which liquid, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.	If I’m making breakfast on a busy morning, the mix needs to suit both what I have at home and what everyone eating can have. For around 27% of consumers, this practical suitability matters most.

Common mistakes

Assuming multigrain means the mix contains seeds

The ingredient lists for the multigrain mixes from AH and Koopmans described here include different grains and flours, but no seeds. So you can’t assume the mix will meet your requirements if you’re looking for seeds.

Before you buy, check that the seeds you want are specifically listed on the pack.
Forgetting the extra ingredients

You can make a complete mix with water, whereas the Koopmans Multigrain mix described here needs milk and eggs. You may also need butter or oil for frying.

Read the recipe on the pack before you finish shopping for Father’s Day breakfast.
Assuming gluten-free means free from milk and egg

The gluten-free Koopmans mix described here needs milk and eggs to prepare and may contain egg and milk. So ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t answer all your questions about allergens.

For everyone eating, check the ingredients, allergen statement, any ‘may contain’ information and preparation instructions on the current pack.

Brands to compare

Koopmans

Koopmans offers multigrain, complete, gluten-free and shaker bottle mixes, among others. Compare the preparation instructions and ingredients for each variety.

According to Jumbo’s product information, Koopmans Multigrain contains wheat flour, rye flour, maize flour and wholemeal oat flour, among other ingredients.
Seeds aren’t listed in those ingredients; the gluten-free and complete varieties each have their own points to consider when it comes to milk and egg.

AH

AH’s Multigrain Pancake Mix is an option if you want to check which grains it contains.

Albert Heijn lists wheat flour, wholemeal barley and oat flour, wheat bran and buckwheat flour in the ingredients.
The list doesn’t mention seeds and includes grains containing gluten.

Albona

ALDI describes an Albona multigrain pancake mix in a 400 g pack.

The product name makes it clear that this is a multigrain mix.
Check the pack itself before deciding whether it contains the seeds you want and is suitable for everyone eating.

PLUS

PLUS offers plain and complete pancake mixes; they differ in their ingredients and preparation.

PLUS lists wheat flour, wholemeal buckwheat flour and wholemeal oat flour in its plain mix. It says its complete mix is made with water.
The ingredient lists described don’t mention seeds; the complete mix contains wheat, milk and egg.

Belbake

Lidl lists a 120 g pack of Belbake multigrain pancake mix.

The pack size gives you a useful point of comparison when working out how much you need.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack if seeds or dietary requirements are important.

Pancake mix on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does multigrain pancake mix automatically contain seeds?

No, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean a mix contains seeds. The ingredient lists for the AH and Koopmans multigrain mixes described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo mention grains and flours, but no seeds. Check the pack of the product you’re buying for the seeds you want.

Which mix needs fewer ingredients for the batter?

According to the product information, you add 700 ml of water to make the batter for the Koopmans Complete and PLUS Complete mixes described here; you’ll need butter or oil for frying. The Koopmans Multigrain mix described here also needs milk and eggs. Check the recipe on the pack you choose before you shop.

Can I make gluten-free pancake mix without milk or eggs?

Not necessarily: according to the product information, the Koopmans gluten-free mix described here needs 550 ml of milk and three eggs, and may contain egg and milk. Check the current pack if someone eating needs to avoid milk or egg.

Where can I find allergen information for pancake mix?

Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly listed in the ingredients information. For the mixes described here, take particular care to check grains containing gluten, milk and egg.