A luxurious dessert pancake isn’t a good starting point for a baby’s portion. Only choose a mix after checking the salt and allergens, cook the pancake all the way through and keep toppings for adults separate. A wholemeal, multigrain or complete mix can be handy for the family, but the wording on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you whether the prepared pancake suits your child’s needs and eating skills.
You’re looking for a soft, fully cooked pancake that you can serve in a suitable way. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that babies should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before being given larger pieces. Stay close while your child is eating.
You want to know which grains and other allergens the mix contains or may contain before you buy it. This is particularly important if you need to follow guidance on wheat, gluten, milk or egg for your child, or if you’re packing food for childcare.
You want to cook for the whole family in one go while keeping the baby’s portion simple. Serve any dessert toppings for older family members separately, and check that the pancake for your baby is fully cooked and has a suitable texture.
Start with your child’s eating skills and how the pancake is prepared. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the mix. Convenience or a festive topping only comes into the picture once the baby’s portion is suitable.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| How well it’s cooked and its texture | Follow the cooking instructions and cook the pancake all the way through. Once cooked, check that it’s soft and easy to handle. | I want to offer pieces, but only if my child is ready and I can stay close while they eat. For around 36% of consumers, serving food safely this way comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including ‘may contain’ warnings. Check cereals, milk and egg separately. | If I need to follow allergen guidance for my child, I want to know what’s in the dry mix and what I’ll need to add myself. Around 29% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Salt and toppings | Compare the salt information, paying attention to what it refers to, such as per 100 g of dry mix or prepared product. Keep honey and dessert toppings away from the baby’s portion. | For a simple baby portion, I don’t want to rely on ‘wholemeal’ or ‘multigrain’ alone; the label and the topping matter too. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Convenience for the family | Check which ingredients you still need to add and how you can serve a separate portion for your baby. | I want to make pancakes for the whole family without assuming that a convenient mix will automatically suit my baby. This convenience comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
A description of the grains doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular mix contains or how much salt has been added. Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal mix contains wheat and 0.6 g of added salt per 100 g of dry mix; its multigrain mix lists wheat, oats and barley, among other ingredients.
Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the pack you’re buying. Only compare salt values when it’s clear what they refer to.
A topping for adults may not be suitable for a baby’s pancake. Honey isn’t suitable for children under 1 year old; with pieces of fruit, how you serve them matters too.
Keep the baby’s portion simple and serve toppings for older family members separately.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that babies should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before eating larger pieces. The risk of choking may be higher with the Rapley method than with a gradual transition to lumpier foods.
Choose a texture that suits your child’s eating skills and stay close while they eat.
A complete mix may contain ingredients that you don’t need to add separately. Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix, for example, lists whey powder and whole egg powder.
Check the ingredients in the dry mix, not just the preparation instructions.
Koopmans offers original, multigrain and complete pancake mixes, among other options.
The own-brand range includes wholemeal and multigrain pancake mixes, among other options.
Jumbo stocks several pancake mixes, including wholemeal and complete varieties.
PLUS offers wholemeal, plain and complete pancake mixes, among other options.
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a product in its range.
ALDI describes a multigrain pancake mix from the Albona brand.
This mix suits the idea of sharing a family meal. Set aside a simple portion for your baby while cooking, and check the ingredients, how well it’s cooked and its texture before serving it.
No image available
For anyone making pancakes for the family and setting aside a separate portion for their baby. For that portion, check the latest allergen information and salt content on the pack. Once cooked, make sure the pancake is fully cooked and has a suitable texture.
Don’t make a dessert pancake the default for your baby’s portion. Cook the pancake all the way through, check that its texture suits your child and serve toppings for older family members separately. Don’t give honey to a child under 1 year old.
Only offer larger pieces once your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Cook the pancake all the way through, let it cool, offer it in a suitable soft form and stay close while your baby eats.
No. Those descriptions don’t mean that a mix is gluten-free. Albert Heijn lists wheat in its wholemeal mix and wheat, oats and barley, among other ingredients, in its multigrain mix. Check the latest allergen information for every variety.
The preparation method doesn’t tell you that. Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix is prepared with water, but the mix lists whey powder and whole egg powder. So make sure you check the ingredients in the dry product too.
Check the rules at the relevant school or childcare setting before packing food, especially if there are allergen policies. Also check the ingredients in the mix you use and in anything you add to the batter or pancake.
