Families making a big stack of pancakes
A dry packet mix gives children a job measuring and stirring. Check how many pancakes the packet says it makes, following the instructions, and which ingredients you need to add yourself.
Which mix is right for you?
Parents who want less to prepare
A complete mix can save you measuring out milk and eggs. With a shaker bottle, you mix everything in the bottle, but the liquid required varies by product.
Families who need to check for allergens
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the chosen packet, as well as on anything you add. A mix that only needs water isn’t necessarily free from milk, egg or gluten-containing cereals.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before making pancakes with children, decide which ingredients you want to get ready. Then check the yield and the packaging information that matters to your family.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield and ingredients | Check the yield stated on the packet and whether you need to add milk, eggs or other ingredients. | If we’re making a bigger stack together, I want to know in advance how much batter the packet makes. This is the top priority for around 34% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check whether the mix needs water or milk, and whether you’ll need a bowl or can mix it in a bottle. | For an impromptu baking session, I want to get fewer separate ingredients ready, while still letting the children help. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label on the mix and check any added ingredients and toppings too. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided, I want to know what’s going into the whole dish before we start baking. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a shaker bottle needs no preparation
A bottle can make mixing and pouring easier, but the PLUS shaker bottle still needs milk. You’ll also need to cook the pancakes in a pan.
Before you start, check which liquid the bottle you’ve chosen needs, and only let children shake it under supervision.
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Confusing ‘complete’ with allergen-free
Adding water tells you nothing about the ingredients in the dry mix. The complete mixes described here include ingredients such as wheat, milk and egg.
Always read the current ingredients list and allergen information, even if you’ve used the product before.
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Letting children taste raw batter
The Voedingscentrum warns that raw egg and flour can contain harmful bacteria, to which young children are particularly vulnerable.
Children can help measure and stir, but don’t let them eat raw batter. Cook the pancakes thoroughly and wash your hands while preparing the batter.
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Treating ready-made pancakes like a mix
Pancakes that just need reheating don’t offer the same opportunity to mix and cook together as a dry mix does.
Choose a dry mix if you want to make the batter together; consider ready-made pancakes as a separate convenience option.
Brands to consider
ALDI / Albona
Albona makes a 400 g plain pancake mix.
- A standard packet mix for anyone who wants to measure and mix the ingredients together.
- Check the preparation instructions and current label before getting the ingredients ready.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain packet mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle.
- The complete mix needs water; the plain shaker bottle needs milk.
- Preparation instructions and allergens vary by product, so check the packet you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn
According to Albert Heijn, its 400 g plain mix makes around 12 pancakes.
- The standard instructions call for 800 ml of milk and 3 eggs; Albert Heijn also provides plant-based preparation instructions.
- The stated ingredients include wheat and oats, and the product may contain egg and milk, so it’s important to check the current label.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers both a standard pancake mix and a complete mix.
- The preparation instructions for the Koopmans Compleet variant described here call for 700 ml of water.
- Don’t assume all Koopmans variants use the same method; check the packet you’ve chosen.
Jumbo
Jumbo has sold pancake mixes, including a Lekker Vrij van Gluten (Deliciously Gluten-Free) variant.
- Jumbo stated that this variant carried the Crossed Grain symbol.
- Check the current range and the packaging if you’re looking for a specific gluten-free product.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl describes Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g in-store product.
- According to Lidl, the mix makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the packet to see which ingredients you’ll need to prepare it.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These Koopmans mixes offer different ways to make pancakes together. Check the preparation instructions for each variant before the children join in.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker mix for a baking session where children can help mix under supervision. The packet contains 175 g of mix; check which ingredients you need to add.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A Complete variant for anyone who wants to get fewer separate ingredients ready when making pancakes together. The packet contains 210 g of mix; read the preparation instructions for this variant.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A mix for anyone who wants to make batter together and is specifically looking for the Wholegrains variant. The packet contains 400 g; check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the current label.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
An Original packet mix for a baking session where children can help make the batter. The packet contains 400 g of mix; check the packaging for the ingredients to add.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a mix for a bigger stack of pancakes?
Check the yield stated on the packet and which ingredients you need to add yourself. Albert Heijn says its 400 g plain mix makes around 12 pancakes; the final yield also depends on how you prepare them.
What’s the difference between a plain mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle?
The main differences are what you add and how you mix the batter. The plain packet mixes described here need milk and eggs, PLUS Complete and Koopmans Compleet need water, and the PLUS plain shaker bottle needs milk. Always follow the instructions for the variant you’ve chosen.
Can children taste raw pancake batter?
Don’t let children taste raw batter. The Voedingscentrum warns that raw egg and flour may contain harmful bacteria, particularly for young children. Wash your hands while preparing the batter and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
Is a complete mix suitable if someone needs to avoid milk, egg or gluten?
Not without checking the specific product. The complete mixes described here include ingredients such as wheat, milk and egg. Read the mix’s current label and check the ingredients you add as well.