If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, a standard mix such as PLUS Natural is a handy choice for a Father’s Day breakfast, with no extra shopping needed for the batter. If you’d rather not add milk and eggs, look for a complete mix that only needs water; you may still need cooking fat. If you need to take allergens or a particular type of grain into account, let the current packaging guide your choice.
If you have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home for your Father’s Day breakfast, you can choose a standard mix without having to buy those ingredients. Just check the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
If you’d rather not measure out milk and eggs for the batter, a complete mix that only needs water could be more convenient. Check what you’ll need to cook the pancakes, too.
If you need to take allergens into account, or you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal or multigrain option, choose based on the information on the specific pack. The name of a variety doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or allergens are listed.
First, work out which ingredients you already have at home for your Father’s Day breakfast. Then check the preparation instructions for each mix and, if relevant, the ingredients and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients needed | Check what you need to add to the mix for the batter and what you already have at home. | If I already have milk and eggs, I don’t want to have to buy anything extra for the batter. Around 50% of consumers prioritise avoiding an extra shopping trip. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add water or milk, and whether you’ll need cooking fat. | On breakfast morning, I want to measure out as little as possible, so a complete mix could be a good choice. Around 30% of consumers prioritise simple preparation. |
| Label and type of grain | Read the ingredients, allergen information and description of the variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid gluten or am looking for a particular type of grain, the pack needs to meet that requirement. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
With the complete mixes described here, you add water to the batter, but you’ll also need butter or oil for cooking.
Read both the batter instructions and the cooking instructions before you shop.
The grain description doesn’t mean a mix is suitable if you need to avoid gluten. Other allergens can also vary between varieties.
If needed, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement.
The mix you have in mind might not be available through the retailer you want to use. For example, Lidl lists the Belbake mix reviewed here as an in-store product.
Before Father’s Day, check where you can get the variety you’ve chosen, and read the label again when you buy it.
ALDI own-brand pancake mixes reviewed here come in Natural and Multigrain varieties, both in 400 g packs.
Own-brand range with a Natural mix and a Complete mix, both in 400 g packs.
The ranges reviewed include Original, Complete, Wholemeal and gluten-free pancake mixes.
Albert Heijn own-brand range, with Natural, Wholemeal and Multigrain mixes among the varieties reviewed.
Lidl’s baking brand, with an Original pancake mix in a 400 g pack in the range reviewed.
These products include mixes for a small breakfast, a larger batch of pancakes and a choice of grain varieties. Focus on the additions needed and how many pancakes you want to make; the order of the products isn’t a judgement on which mix is right for every shopper.
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A complete mix in a bottle, ideal for a small Father’s Day breakfast. The preparation instructions describe adding 350 ml of water to make 4–6 pancakes; check whether that’s enough for your group.
The ingredients information lists milk and egg. If you have an allergy, check the current label.
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This shaker bottle could be a good fit for a small breakfast if you have milk at home. The preparation instructions describe adding 400 ml of milk to make 4–6 pancakes.
If you have allergies, check the current label; the product information lists egg and wheat, and states that the mix may contain milk.
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For anyone looking for a mix with several types of grain and wanting to make a larger batch: the stated yield is 11–13 pancakes per pack.
The preparation instructions list 900 ml of milk, 2 eggs and cooking fat. The ingredients described include wheat, rye, oats and barley; don’t choose this mix if you need to avoid gluten, and check the current label.
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This standard mix could be a good choice if you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home and want to make a larger batch. The stated yield is 11–13 pancakes.
The preparation instructions list 850 ml of milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. Prepare the batter according to the pack instructions and don’t eat it raw.
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A 100 g pack for anyone looking for a milk-flavoured mix who has an egg at home. The preparation instructions call for 60 ml of water and 1 egg; check the pack instructions for cooking.
The product information lists wheat and gluten. If you need to avoid allergens, check the current label.
For the PLUS Complete and Koopmans Complete mixes described here, you add water instead of milk and eggs. Keep butter or oil handy for cooking, and follow the instructions on the pack you choose.
No. Multigrain doesn’t mean gluten-free. If needed, choose a mix with an explicit gluten-free label and check the current packaging for other allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement.
No, availability can change. Check the product page you’ve chosen and the delivery options before planning your Father’s Day breakfast.
