For a budget-friendly baking session, a plain mix is a good choice if you already have milk and eggs at home; a complete mix means you have fewer separate ingredients to bring with you. For a group, work out how many packs you need using the stated yield, and always check the current label if anyone has an allergy.
When you’re making pancakes for a celebration, you want to keep the number of extra ingredients you need to bring with you to a minimum. For a plain mix, check which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself, and compare packs with the same contents.
If you’d rather not measure out lots of separate ingredients, a complete mix could be just what you need. Check the preparation instructions, though: even a complete mix may require cooking fat.
A product described as plain or complete isn’t necessarily suitable for your dietary requirements. Before use, check the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warning on the current packaging.
If you have an allergy, check the label first. Then choose based on the ingredients you already have and how much batter you need.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients to buy for the batter | Compare packs with the same contents and check which ingredients you need to add. | If I already have milk and eggs at home, I don’t want to bring more than I need for a baking session. Around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping their shopping list short. |
| Preparation | Check which liquid and cooking fat are required according to the preparation instructions. | When I’m short on time, I don’t want to measure out lots of ingredients. Simple preparation is the most important factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen information; if you need a gluten-free claim, check that it’s stated on the packaging. | If I have an allergy, I need to be able to check whether this particular variety is suitable. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Yield for your group | Check the stated yield per pack and work out how many packs you’ll need for your group. | If I’m cooking for several people, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. Getting enough portions is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
For its 400 g Plain mix, PLUS lists 800 ml of milk and 3 eggs, as well as cooking fat. PLUS Complete, also 400 g, requires 700 ml of water and cooking fat. So the ingredients you need vary by variety.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop, and check what you already have at home.
A complete mix has a shorter list of ingredients to add yourself, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for anyone with an allergy. The PLUS Complete mix we looked at contains wheat, milk and egg.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen, rather than relying on the variety name alone.
Koopmans says a pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes; Albert Heijn lists around 10 pancakes per pack for Koopmans Complete. So the same pack weight doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the same number of pancakes.
Use the stated yield for the variety you choose to work out how many packs you’ll need for your group.
ALBONA is the own-brand name under which ALDI lists its plain pancake mix.
PLUS lists both Plain and Complete in 400 g packs.
Jumbo has a 400 g pack of Plain pancake mix.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes Plain and Complete varieties, among others.
Koopmans offers an Original mix and a complete pancake mix, among other varieties.
Belbake Pancake Mix Original is a Lidl product range.
These Koopmans packs differ in variety and size. Before you start baking, compare the preparation instructions and stated yield for the mix you choose.
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An option for a baking session where you add the milk and eggs yourself. Pack size: 400 g. Joybuy’s product information for this variety lists 850 ml of milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil; follow the instructions on the current packaging.
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A variety to compare if you’re cooking for a group and want to factor in the size of each pack. Pack size: 400 g. Check the packaging to see which ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes the mix makes.
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A smaller complete mix to consider if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients. Pack size: 210 g. Check the preparation instructions and yield before choosing this pack for a group.
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A shaker pack to consider if you’re planning a smaller baking session. Pack size: 175 g. Check the packaging to see which liquid you’ll need and whether the stated yield is enough for the number of people you’re serving.
It depends on the variety: for its 400 g Plain mix, PLUS lists 800 ml of milk, 3 eggs and cooking fat; for PLUS Complete, also 400 g, it lists 700 ml of water and cooking fat. Follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.
The yield varies by mix: Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes, while Albert Heijn lists around 10 per pack for Koopmans Complete. Use the yield for your variety to plan how much you’ll need for a group.
No, the product name doesn’t tell you which allergens a mix contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens in prepacked foods must be listed in the ingredients, so always check the current packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
Don’t eat the batter raw: according to Koopmans Complete product information, it isn’t intended to be eaten uncooked. Cook the pancakes thoroughly, following the preparation instructions.
