If you want to keep the ingredient prep to a minimum for your Friday afternoon get-together, look for a complete mix or a shaker bottle that only needs water according to the instructions. An original mix gives you a classic option alongside a wholemeal or multigrain mix, but check each pack to see what else you need and how many pancakes it makes. If a guest has a specific dietary requirement or allergy, choose based on the current ingredients and preparation instructions, not just the name of the mix.
If you start cooking shortly before your get-together, it matters which ingredients you still need to get ready. PLUS says its complete mix only needs water; the smaller stated yield of the Koopmans shaker bottle is also worth factoring into your plans.
You can serve a classic pancake alongside a wholemeal or multigrain option. For a guest who needs to eat gluten-free, these are not interchangeable choices: check the labelling, ingredients and preparation instructions for a separate gluten-free mix.
When you have several guests, the stated yield per pack helps you work out how much mix you need. Remember to factor in any milk, eggs or other ingredients required by the preparation method you choose.
First, work out whether a specific dietary requirement means you need a separate mix. Then compare the preparation method and stated yield with the number of guests you’re expecting.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. | If I’m making the batter just before the get-together, I don’t want to find that I still need to sort out milk and eggs. Minimal preparation is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the current ingredients, allergens and required additions; also consider the prepared pancake. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check both the mix and the recipe. Suitability is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal or multigrain | Compare the grains listed, and consider gluten requirements separately from this preference. | Alongside regular pancakes, I want to be able to offer a clearly identifiable wholegrain option. Around 25% of consumers make this their main consideration. |
| Quantity for your group | Compare the pack weight, stated yield and ingredients you need for each batch. | If several guests are eating, I want to make enough batter without overlooking any of the required ingredients. Planning for a group is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
The preparation method tells you which ingredients to add yourself, not which ingredients are already in the dry mix. So even a complete mix may not be suitable for someone who needs to avoid a particular allergen.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, and check what the recipe asks you to add before serving a pancake as suitable for a guest.
According to PLUS, its wholemeal mix contains wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal oat flour. So the term ‘wholemeal’ answers a different question from a ‘gluten-free’ label.
If a gluten-free option is essential, choose a separate mix clearly labelled as gluten-free. Also check the current pack and take your guest’s requirements into account when preparing it.
Joybuy states that the Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle makes 4–6 pancakes. That may not be enough if you want to use the same mix to cook for a larger group.
Compare the yield per bottle with the number of pancakes you want to make before deciding how many packs you’ll need.
Koopmans pancake mixes include original, complete, wholemeal and shaker bottle options.
Albert Heijn lists own-brand mixes in plain, multigrain and wholemeal varieties.
Jumbo lists a plain mix and a complete pancake mix, both in 400 g packs.
PLUS lists plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes in 400 g packs.
ALDI Netherlands lists Albona pancake mixes in plain and multigrain varieties.
Lidl Netherlands lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
These mixes offer different options for your get-together: a grain-based variety alongside an original mix, a complete shaker bottle that needs water, and other packs to compare for your batch. If you’re catering for a specific dietary requirement, always check the current pack.
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A grain-based option to serve alongside regular pancakes. According to Joybuy’s product information, the mix contains wheat flour, wholemeal oat flour and wholemeal barley flour, among other ingredients; it is not gluten-free. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack.
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An option for making batter in the bottle when you’re cooking a small batch. Joybuy states that you add 350 ml of water and that the mix makes 4–6 pancakes. If allergies or other dietary requirements are a concern, check the ingredients on the pack.
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An original mix for making classic pancakes to serve alongside a grain-based variety. Joybuy states that it makes 11–13 pancakes and lists 850 ml of milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil for preparation. Remember to factor these additions into your plans.
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A shaker bottle to consider if you want to make batter for a small batch. The pack contains 175 g of mix; check the preparation method and stated yield to work out how many bottles you’ll need.
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A 100 g pack to compare with the other mixes. Before choosing it for a group, check the pack to see how many pancakes it makes and which ingredients you need to add during preparation.
A mix that only needs water according to the instructions limits the number of ingredients you need to get ready. PLUS says its complete mix needs 700 ml of water; Joybuy says the Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle needs 350 ml of water and makes 4–6 pancakes. Choose the quantity based on the number of guests.
No, the terms ‘wholemeal’ and ‘multigrain’ don’t mean that a mix is gluten-free. According to PLUS, its wholemeal mix contains wheat and oats. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, check a separate mix that is labelled as gluten-free and read the current ingredients and preparation instructions.
Not if you add animal-derived ingredients during preparation. PLUS lists 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk and 3 eggs for its plain mix. So check both the mix and all the additions before serving the prepared pancake as plant-based.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, and check any ingredients you add yourself too. According to European food labelling information, allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list; the name of a mix is no substitute for checking the label.
