If you want to serve toppings separately
When preparing a meal for a fussy eater, a plain mix lets you serve the pancake without toppings and offer additions separately.
Who is this choice relevant for?
If you want to measure out fewer ingredients
A complete mix can reduce the number of extra ingredients you need. Check what still needs to be added to each variety; for the complete mixes they reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS say to add water to the batter.
If you need to check ingredients carefully
If you have a dietary requirement, the exact variety, allergen information and preparation instructions matter more than the general name of a mix. The ingredients you add yourself also count.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a familiar flavour, easy preparation, a particular type of flour or the need to check ingredients is the priority for this meal. Then compare the varieties that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain base and separate toppings | Check the ingredients and see which milk, eggs or other additions you’ll need to provide. | If toppings mustn’t be mixed into the batter, I want to choose what goes on the pancake myself. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this predictable base. |
| Fewer preparation steps | Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack says the recipe makes. | If measuring ingredients feels like a hurdle, I look for a recipe with fewer separate ingredients. For around 19% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Type of flour and nutritional information | Check which grains are listed and compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | If I’m considering a wholemeal or buckwheat variety, I want to know what’s in it without assuming the eater will enjoy the taste. This ingredient profile comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten-free labelling | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; if you need a gluten-free product, check that the pack explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. | If certain ingredients need to be avoided, I can’t rely on the product name alone. Around 25% of consumers put these checks ahead of the other selection criteria. |
Common mistakes
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Treating ‘premium’ as a guarantee of quality
The label doesn’t tell you what type of flour or allergens the mix contains, or how many preparation steps are involved. It also says nothing about the eater’s taste preferences.
Compare the ingredients, what you need to add and the yield stated on the pack rather than choosing based on that label.
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Confusing the dry mix with the prepared pancake
A characteristic of the dry mix doesn’t automatically apply to the finished dish when you add milk or eggs.
Read both the ingredients list and the preparation instructions, and assess the meal including anything you add yourself.
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Looking only at the product name when you have a dietary requirement
A standard mix may contain wheat, for example; a gluten-free label doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about other allergens.
Check the current allergen information on the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear allergen labelling on food products.
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Assuming a shaker bottle and a packet make the same amount
The Koopmans shaker bottle described by PLUS makes four to six pancakes. That may not be enough for your meal.
Check the stated yield and required additions before choosing a type of packaging.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a range of pancake mixes, including Original, Complete, Multigrain and gluten-free varieties. The preparation method and ingredients depend on the variety.
- If you want a recipe with fewer separate ingredients, Albert Heijn says to add water to the batter for Koopmans Compleet.
- According to Jumbo, Koopmans Origineel contains wheat and rye; don’t rely on information about a different Koopmans variety.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain and wholemeal mixes for anyone looking to compare the base mix and type of flour.
- With AH plain mix, you can choose the toppings yourself.
- The AH wholemeal mix reviewed contains wheat and gluten; wholemeal doesn’t mean gluten-free.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain and complete mixes with different preparation methods.
- With PLUS plain mix, you can top your pancake to taste; the complete mix reviewed needs water for the batter.
- The standard preparation for PLUS plain mix calls for milk and egg. So assess the dry mix and prepared meal separately.
Belbake
Lidl describes Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g pack that makes around twelve pancakes.
- The stated yield helps you plan how many portions you’ll need.
- Check the label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information when you look at the pack.
Smaakt
The organic buckwheat pancake mix described by PLUS is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a mix made with buckwheat.
- PLUS lists 90% organic buckwheat flour in the ingredients for this variety.
- The preparation described also calls for eggs and milk; check the allergen information on the pack too.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes offer different starting points for your meal: a variety labelled Complete, a mix with several grains, an original base and a milk-flavoured option. Choose according to the preparation method and the ingredients that matter for your meal.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
Worth considering if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients for a smaller meal. Check the preparation instructions, yield and allergens on the pack before choosing this variety.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
An option if the eater enjoys pancakes made with a variety of grains. Bear in mind that the taste and texture may differ from a plain base; also check what needs to be added and the allergen information.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
Suited to a meal where you choose the toppings and serve them separately. Check which ingredients you need to add to the batter and read the allergen information for this variety.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu High-Calcium milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
Only consider this if a milk flavour suits the meal. Check the yield on the pack when planning portions; if the calcium claim matters to your choice, check the nutritional information separately.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete 200 g
The word ‘Complete’ alone doesn’t tell you what needs to be added, so check the preparation instructions. The product information lists wheat, milk and egg, but also contains a conflicting allergen statement. If you have a dietary requirement, base your decision solely on the current information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘premium’ mean on a pancake mix?
The label doesn’t tell you which mix will suit a fussy eater. Instead, compare the type of flour, ingredients, allergens, preparation method and stated yield for the specific variety.
Which mix should I choose if toppings need to be kept separate?
A plain base lets you serve toppings separately. Albert Heijn and PLUS describe plain varieties where you choose the additions yourself; just check what you need for the batter and which allergens the mix contains.
Does a complete mix mean fewer preparation steps?
A complete mix can reduce the number of separate ingredients, but instructions vary by product. For Koopmans Compleet, Albert Heijn says to add water to the batter, and PLUS lists water for the complete mix they reviewed. Check the pack for the variety you’re buying.
Is wholemeal mix gluten-free too?
No. Wholemeal and gluten-free describe different properties. The AH wholemeal mix described by Albert Heijn contains wheat and gluten. If you need a gluten-free product, check for an explicit gluten-free label and the current allergen information on the pack.
Can I rely on the product name if I have a dietary requirement?
No. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety, including any ‘may contain’ information and anything you add to the batter yourself. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on food labels.