If you want a fussy eater to try a small portion first, check the stated yield: according to the manufacturer, the Koopmans shaker bottle we looked at makes five pancakes, while Jumbo’s 200 g complete mix lists around six portions. A 400 g pack is a better fit when several people are eating, or if you’re deliberately making enough for another meal. Check what you need to add to the mix, too: a small pack isn’t necessarily a complete mix.
The right pack size depends mainly on how many people are eating and whether you’re making pancakes for a first taste or a shared meal.
If your child hasn’t tried pancakes before, you can serve a small amount first and offer more if needed. This is in line with the Voedingscentrum’s advice to start with a small portion for a child who doesn’t eat much. Check the yield of the whole pack, too, so you don’t make more batter than you want to use.
A 400 g pack is worth considering if several people are eating or you’re planning another meal. Koopmans lists 11 to 13 pancakes per pack for its Origineel mix; Jumbo gives a yield of around 12 portions for its 400 g plain mix. A portion on one pack isn’t necessarily the same as one pancake on another.
If you prefer wholemeal, the ingredients list for the mix you choose matters more than the product category alone. Koopmans lists 13 to 15 pancakes for the wholemeal mix we looked at. If the taste or texture might be a sticking point for the person eating, offer a small cooked portion first rather than basing the whole meal on it.
First decide how much you want to make. Then compare the preparation instructions and ingredients for the exact product: a shaker bottle, a complete mix and a standard mix won’t necessarily need the same additions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Small yield | Check the stated yield and whether it’s given in pancakes or portions. Koopmans lists five pancakes for the original shaker bottle we looked at; Jumbo lists around six portions for its 200 g complete mix. | I want to serve a small amount first without making a large batch of batter. For around 36% of consumers, a small trial amount is the most important factor. |
| Easy preparation | Check what you need to make the batter and what you’ll need for cooking. Jumbo says to add water to its 200 g complete mix; additions vary by product. | When I’m short on time, I want to start with as few separate ingredients as possible, but I still need to cook the pancakes. Ease of preparation is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| A shared meal | Compare the pack yield and ingredients for the plain or wholemeal mix you’ve chosen. Koopmans lists 11 to 13 pancakes for Origineel and 13 to 15 for Volkoren. | If the rest of the family is eating too, I want to be able to make enough and choose between plain and wholemeal. Around 27% of consumers give a family meal like this top priority. |
| A familiar flavour | Check the flavour, the nutrition information per 100 g of prepared product and the ingredients. Koopmans lists a yield of around eight pancakes for Speculoos. | I might want to offer a familiar flavour to try, without assuming the person will like it. For around 10% of consumers, trying different flavours comes first. |
Koopmans lists 11 to 13 pancakes for Origineel and 13 to 15 for Volkoren. That may be more than you want to make for one small trial.
Compare the yield on the pack with the number of people eating. Serve a small amount first and offer more if needed, as the Voedingscentrum advises.
If you do make the whole pack, you may end up with more batter or pancakes than you intended for this meal.
For the complete mixes we looked at, you add water to make the batter, but you still need to cook the pancakes. The instructions may also mention cooking fat or oil.
Read the instructions on your pack before you start and cook the batter as directed; don’t taste it raw.
A label on the dry mix doesn’t tell you which ingredients you’ll need to add according to the preparation instructions. For example, the PLUS plain mix we looked at is labelled vegan, even though the suggested method uses milk and eggs.
Read both the ingredients and allergen information, as well as the preparation instructions for the exact product. If you have dietary requirements, distinguish between the dry mix and the pancakes as you make them.
You choose a Speculoos mix for a different flavour. The Koopmans products we looked at also list different amounts of sugars per 100 g of prepared product: 9,9 g for Speculoos and 3,8 g for Origineel.
Compare the nutrition information on the same basis and check the current pack. Don’t assume a flavoured version is only available for a limited time.
These brands offer different sizes and types of pancake mix. Always compare the exact product: yield, ingredients and preparation instructions don’t automatically apply to the whole brand.
The product range we looked at includes an original mix, a wholemeal mix, a shaker bottle and Speculoos.
The range overview we looked at includes both Koopmans and AH own-brand mixes in different sizes and types.
The own-brand range we looked at includes a 200 g complete mix and a 400 g plain mix.
The products we looked at include 400 g plain, complete and wholemeal mixes.
The 400 g Belbake original mix we looked at is an option for making a larger batch.
According to ALDI, the 400 g Albona plain mix we looked at is made with milk and eggs.
These three Koopmans mixes let you choose between a 210 g complete shaker bottle for a smaller batch and two 400 g packs for sharing with more people. The complete shaker bottle is a different product from the original shaker bottle that makes five pancakes mentioned above.
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A complete mix in a bottle, ideal if you want to make a smaller batch. The product information for this version gives a yield of four to six pancakes per bottle. Add water as instructed and cook the batter thoroughly; if you have allergies, check the current ingredients list.
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A 400 g pack to consider when several people are eating. If the wholemeal ingredients are the main reason for your choice, compare the ingredients list on the pack with the product name: the description also calls it ‘multigrain’. Check which additions are needed before you start cooking.
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An original 400 g mix for making pancakes for several people. Koopmans lists a yield of 11 to 13 pancakes per pack for its Origineel mix; compare this with how many you actually want to make. Read the preparation instructions and ingredients list on the pack you choose before you begin.
Choose a mix with a yield that suits the number of people eating and serve a small portion first. The Voedingscentrum advises offering more if needed; also compare the number of pancakes or portions listed per pack before you make the batter.
Yes. For the versions we looked at, ‘complete’ means you add water to make the batter, not that the pancakes are ready to eat. You may also need butter, margarine or oil for cooking; follow the instructions on the exact product.
Don’t taste the batter raw. The product information for the Koopmans mix we looked at says the batter must be heated thoroughly; cook the pancakes according to the instructions on the pack.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact mix you want to use, and check what you’ll add when preparing it. The versions we looked at have different ingredients; don’t judge whether a product is suitable based only on words such as ‘complete’, ‘wholemeal’ or ‘plain’.
