For a small batch, a shaker bottle is worth considering: according to the product information, the Koopmans options listed make 4 to 6 pancakes, compared with around 8 to 13 for the 400 g mixes we looked at. So a shaker bottle isn’t automatically a one-person pack either. Choose a complete mix if you want to add water, or a regular mix if you’d rather use milk and eggs. If you have dietary requirements, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
If you’re only planning one meal, the amount each pack makes matters. Koopmans says its shaker bottles make 4 to 6 pancakes, while the packet mixes we looked at make 8 to 13. Decide beforehand whether you want to make and store the rest too.
For the complete mixes listed, you just need to add water. A shaker bottle also lets you mix the batter in the pack itself. You’ll still need a pan and some cooking fat for frying.
Wheat, other cereals containing gluten, egg and milk vary from one product and version to another. Even with a gluten-free mix, check separately whether egg or milk is listed in the ingredients or allergen information.
Start with the stated yield: a 400 g packet and a shaker bottle call for different plans if you’re making pancakes for one meal. Then check what you need to add and whether the mix suits your dietary preferences.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the number of pancakes each pack makes and consider whether you want to store any leftovers. | If I’m cooking just for myself, I want to know how much will be left after the meal. For around 46% of consumers, minimising leftovers is the top priority. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add water or milk and eggs, and whether you’ll need a bowl and whisk. | When I don’t have many ingredients at home, I want to make pancakes with as few extra steps as possible. Convenience is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack; don’t rely on terms such as complete or wholemeal alone. | If I have a restriction or a strong dietary preference, I need to know what’s in this specific mix first. For around 18% of consumers, the ingredients are the deciding factor. |
According to Koopmans and Albert Heijn, the 400 g mixes listed make around 8 to 13 pancakes per pack. Making up a whole packet could therefore leave you with more than you want for one meal.
Compare the stated yield and decide what you’ll do with any leftovers before you start cooking.
For the complete mixes we looked at, water is the liquid you add, but you’ll still need cooking fat for the pan.
Check the instructions and the full list of things you’ll need before choosing.
Terms such as plain, complete and wholemeal don’t tell you on their own which allergens a mix contains. For example, a gluten-free version may still contain egg or milk.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack for each individual version.
Koopmans offers a standard mix, a complete mix, shaker bottles and a gluten-free version, among other options. When comparing products from the brand, focus on the yield and what you need to add.
Albert Heijn stocks several own-brand pancake mixes, including plain and complete options, as well as versions made with other types of grain.
Jumbo has its own 400 g plain pancake mix, and the product information lets you compare its ingredients and yield.
PLUS offers complete, plain and wholemeal pancake mixes. Preparation instructions vary by version.
ALDI describes a 400 g Albona multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
Lidl describes a 400 g Belbake Original pancake mix.
These two Koopmans shaker bottles are intended for a smaller batch than the 400 g packet mixes listed above. According to the product information, both make 4 to 6 pancakes; the difference is whether you add milk or water.
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A smaller-batch option if you want to use milk. According to the product information, the shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes; add 400 ml of milk and mix the batter in the bottle. Even this amount could be more than you need for one meal. If you have dietary requirements, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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A smaller-batch option if you’d rather add water than milk. According to the product information, the shaker bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes and requires 350 ml of water. Water as the liquid you add doesn’t mean the mix is dairy-free: if you have allergies, check the current packaging for milk, egg and cereals containing gluten.
It can be, but making up a whole packet of the products listed will give you more than one small meal’s worth. Koopmans and Albert Heijn say the 400 g mixes we looked at make around 8 to 13 pancakes. Compare the yield with how many you want to make and plan what to do with the rest.
For the versions listed, the main difference is what you add yourself: the product information says to add 700 ml of water per pack of AH Complete and PLUS Complete, while PLUS Plain requires 800 ml of milk and 3 eggs. You’ll also need cooking fat for the pan; follow the instructions on the pack you choose.
No. The variety name is no substitute for the ingredients and allergen information. The mixes listed differ in whether they contain wheat, egg and milk; even a gluten-free mix may contain egg or milk. Always check the current packaging for the specific product.
Follow the storage instructions for your mix. For the Koopmans Gluten-free mix we looked at, PLUS says cooked pancakes can be covered and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days once cooled, or frozen for up to 3 weeks. Don’t assume these product-specific time limits apply to other mixes.
Not with the Koopmans Gluten-free mix we looked at: PLUS says the batter must not be eaten raw and needs to be cooked thoroughly. For other mixes, check the instructions on the pack.
