Home baker cooking for a group
You want to make several pancakes for Father’s Day and have milk, eggs and cooking fat to hand. Check the yield per pack and the recipe before choosing.
Which mix is right for you?
Cook short on preparation time
You want to measure out fewer separate ingredients or mix the batter in a bottle. A complete mix and a shaker bottle don’t do exactly the same thing, so check what you need to add to each version.
Checking labels for your guests
You need to check which grains and allergens are in the version you choose. Ingredients and warnings can vary between a basic mix, wholegrain mix, complete mix and shaker bottle.
What should you look for when choosing?
For your Father’s Day breakfast or meal, first decide how many pancakes you want to make and which ingredients you already have. Then choose a preparation method that suits the people you’re cooking for.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking for a group | Check the stated yield per pack and which milk, eggs and cooking fat the recipe calls for. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to know in advance whether the pack and my supplies will be enough. For around 42% of consumers, preparing for a group is the most important consideration. |
| Fewer separate steps | Check whether you need water or milk for the batter and whether you can mix it in a bottle. | When I’m short on time, I don’t want to measure out lots of ingredients, although I still need to cook the pancakes. Around 33% of consumers say that fewer preparation steps are their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific version on the pack. | When I’m cooking for others, I need to know first whether the ingredients are suitable for them. Checking the label comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a basic mix as ready-to-make batter
A dry plain or wholegrain mix may need additional ingredients. The Jumbo and PLUS versions described here call for milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Read the recipe on the pack you’ve chosen before getting the ingredients ready for your Father’s Day meal.
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Assuming a shaker bottle makes enough for a group
A bottle makes mixing easier, but the yield varies by product. According to the product information, the 175 g Koopmans shaker bottle described here makes 4–6 pancakes, while the 400 g Koopmans basic mix states a yield of 11–13 pancakes.
Compare the yield of the specific packs with the number of people you’re cooking for, and check which additional ingredients you’ll need.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
The PLUS complete mix described here contains wheat, milk and egg. The fact that you only need water for the batter says nothing about whether it’s suitable for anyone avoiding those ingredients.
Read the current label for each version, including the allergen information.
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Relying on an online description alone
If you’re choosing based on ingredients or nutritional information, the pack for the version you’ve chosen is important. Lidl Netherlands refers customers to the physical label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products.
Check the pack before buying, especially if a particular ingredient or allergen is central to your choice.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes dry plain, complete and wholegrain mixes. Check what you need to add for each version.
- For Jumbo Mix for Pancakes Plain 400 g, the product information lists the ingredients and allergens, and states a yield of around 12 pancakes.
- That information about the plain mix doesn’t automatically apply to the other versions.
PLUS
The versions described include a wholegrain mix, a complete mix and a plain shaker bottle.
- The complete mix calls for water for the batter, while milk is added to the bottle for the plain shaker mix.
- Check the ingredients you need to add, plus the current ingredient and allergen information, on the pack you choose.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers the basic, complete and shaker versions described here, each with different preparation steps.
- According to Koopmans, Original calls for milk, eggs and butter and makes 11–13 pancakes per pack; for Complete, you add water to the batter.
- ‘Complete’ doesn’t mean allergen-free. Check the ingredients and warnings for each version.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes plain, multigrain, wholegrain and complete mixes.
- The different versions offer a choice of mix and preparation method.
- For ingredients and preparation instructions, refer to the information for the specific version and its packaging.
Lidl / Belbake
Belbake Original Pancake Mix is one of the versions listed in Lidl Netherlands’ range.
- The product name makes it clear that this is an original pancake mix.
- Lidl Netherlands refers customers to the physical label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer different ways to prepare a Father’s Day meal: basic and grain mixes for making several pancakes, and bottles for a smaller batch. Compare the ingredients you need to add, the yield and the allergens for each pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrain Pancake Mix 400 g
For sharing at mealtimes when you’re looking for a mix made with different grains and have the ingredients you need to add.
According to the product description, one pack makes 11–13 pancakes. The recipe calls for 900 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. The ingredients include wholemeal oat and barley flour; egg and milk may also be present. Check the pack label for allergen information.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A basic mix for cooking for several people when you want to add milk, eggs and cooking fat to the batter.
The product description states that one pack makes 11–13 pancakes, using 850 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. The mix lists wheat, buckwheat and rye flour; egg and milk may also be present. Check the current label for allergen information.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes shaker bottle 175 g
For a smaller batch when you want to mix the batter in the bottle.
According to the description, add 400 ml milk and shake for about one minute. The stated yield is 4–6 pancakes. The mix contains egg and gluten-containing cereals; milk may also be present. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle 210 g
For a smaller batch when you’d rather add water to the batter than measure out milk and eggs.
According to the description, add 350 ml water and the bottle makes 4–6 pancakes. The ingredient information lists wheat, milk and egg; check the pack label for allergen information.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A mix to consider if you have water and an egg available for the batter. Before choosing it for a group, check how many pancakes you can make with the pack.
The preparation instructions described call for 60 ml water and one egg. The ingredients include wheat; check the label for the full ingredient and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Which pancake mix should I choose if I’m cooking for several people?
Check the yield per pack and the ingredients you need to add. For the Original and Wholegrains packs described here, Koopmans states a yield of 11–13 pancakes each, compared with 4–6 for the shaker bottles described. Check that the yield suits the number of people you’re cooking for.
When does a complete mix save on preparation?
A complete mix saves you from adding milk and eggs separately to the batter when the instructions call for water. The PLUS Complete mix described here calls for 700 ml water for the batter, with butter or oil for cooking; the mix itself contains wheat, milk and egg.
Do I need to add anything to a shaker bottle?
It depends on the shaker bottle. For the PLUS Plain bottle described here, add around 400 ml semi-skimmed milk and use margarine or oil in the pan. According to the product instructions, the mixed batter should be used straight away and not stored.
How do I check for allergens in pancake mix?
Read the ingredients list and the clearly marked allergens on the pack for the specific mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens in prepacked foods must be included in the ingredients list and distinguished from the other ingredients.