For a small breakfast treat
A compact shaker bottle is a good choice if the recipient wants to make batter quickly and around five pancakes will be enough. According to Koopmans, you only need to add water to the Koopmans Complete Shaker Bottle.
Who is the gift for?
For a family or brunch
If you’re cooking for several people, choose a pack that makes enough pancakes for your group. Koopmans states that its Complete mix makes around 10 pancakes and its Original mix makes 11–13; the two variants require different additions.
For someone with specific ingredient requirements
Choose a mix and any ingredients that need to be added at home with the recipient in mind. Check the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about ingredients the product may contain.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the gift should offer minimal preparation, enough pancakes for everyone or several breakfasts’ worth. If you know the recipient has specific ingredient requirements, check the label before choosing a pack size.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal preparation | Check whether you only need to add water to the batter, or whether it also needs milk and eggs. You’ll still need a pan and cooking fat. | If the gift is meant for a simple breakfast, I don’t want to have to buy extra ingredients for the batter first. Convenience would be the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Enough pancakes | Compare the stated yield with the number of people eating; a shaker bottle and a 400 g box may make different amounts. | For brunch, I want everyone to be able to eat without having to make another batch of batter halfway through. Enough portions would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Presentation and supply | Check whether a multipack is supplied as individual items and whether you want to wrap the gift yourself. | If you want to give several weekend breakfasts’ worth, you’re more likely to look for a multipack; for a festive gift, the packaging matters too. Around 21% of consumers would consider this their main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label and check the ingredients the recipient will need to add themselves. | If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether this particular mix and method of preparation are suitable. For around 14% of consumers, checking this would be the top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a complete mix is a complete breakfast
A complete mix may only need water for the batter, but you’ll still need a pan and butter or oil to cook the pancakes. Check which additions are needed for your chosen variant.
If you’re putting together a breakfast hamper, think about what the recipient will need to cook and perhaps serve the pancakes too.
-
Assuming a multipack comes ready to give as a gift
Albert Heijn states that the Koopmans Original 3-pack is supplied as individual items. Three packs don’t automatically come in a gift box.
Wrap the items yourself if presentation is part of the gift, or choose a compact bottle for a smaller gesture.
You’ll need extra materials to wrap the gift yourself.
-
Assuming gluten-free means suitable for every allergy
According to PLUS’s product information, a Koopmans mix sold as gluten-free may contain egg and milk. So the gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether it meets other ingredient requirements.
Ask which ingredients the recipient needs to avoid and read the current label before buying, including any warnings about ingredients the product may contain.
-
Overestimating the yield of a shaker bottle
According to PLUS, the Koopmans Complete Shaker Bottle makes around 5 pancakes. Koopmans states that its Complete and Original boxes make around 10 and 11–13 pancakes respectively.
Choose a size that suits the number of people eating; for brunch, you may need a larger pack or more than one.
Brands to compare
Compare individual variants within each brand: packaging, yield, preparation and ingredients can all vary.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers Original and Complete mixes, shaker bottles and a gluten-free pancake mix.
- The pack sizes mentioned range from a small shaker bottle to boxes that make around 10–13 pancakes, depending on the variant.
- Original requires milk and eggs; for Complete, you only need to add water to the batter. Check the allergens for each variant too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes its own-brand AH mixes and Koopmans variants.
- The range includes, among other options, a 200 g pack of AH Naturel and 400 g options.
- Check the product information for the variant you choose; pack size alone doesn’t tell you which additions are needed.
Jumbo
Jumbo has its own 400 g Naturel pancake mix, alongside other brands.
- Jumbo states that its Naturel mix makes around 12 portions.
- The product information lists wheat, oats and gluten; it may also contain egg and milk. This mix isn’t described as a water-only option.
PLUS
PLUS has its own 400 g Complete mix and also sells Koopmans variants.
- PLUS states that you need to add 700 ml of water to the batter for its Complete mix.
- The product information lists wheat, milk and egg; check the current label for the recipient.
Belbake
Belbake is Lidl’s brand for its 400 g Original pancake mix.
- Lidl states that it makes around 12 pancakes.
- Lidl lists this item as available in store only; check store information if you want to arrange the gift in advance.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI brand that sells pancake mix in a 400 g pack, including a multigrain variant.
- The pack could be part of a breakfast hamper you put together yourself.
- Before buying, check the preparation instructions and ingredients for your chosen variant on the packaging.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
This selection includes two compact shaker bottles and two 400 g boxes. Choose a size to suit the number of people eating and check which ingredients are needed for each variant.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Pancakes Complete, schudfles 210 g
A compact option if you want to give a small weekend breakfast treat. PLUS states that the Koopmans Complete Shaker Bottle needs 350 ml of water and makes around 5 pancakes. You’ll still need a pan and cooking fat; check the current label for the recipient.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A 400 g box to consider if you’re putting together breakfast for several people. Before giving this multigrain variant as a gift, check the pack for the yield, additions needed for the batter and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A good choice if making the batter together is part of the weekend breakfast. Koopmans states that the Original variant makes 11–13 pancakes; you’ll still need to add milk and eggs, as well as cooking fat for frying. Check the current label if the recipient has specific ingredient requirements.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, schudfles 175 g
The bottle size is well suited to a small breakfast treat, but check whether it makes enough for the recipient. Find out which liquid this variant needs for the batter; don’t assume every shaker bottle only needs water.
Frequently asked questions
Which size works well as a small breakfast gift?
A shaker bottle is a good choice if a few pancakes will be enough. PLUS states that the 210 g Koopmans Complete Shaker Bottle makes around 5 pancakes; for brunch with more people, compare this with the yield of a larger box, such as the around 10 pancakes made by Koopmans Complete.
Does the Koopmans Original 3-pack come ready to give as a gift?
No. Albert Heijn states that the 3-pack is supplied as individual items. Choose suitable packaging yourself if you want to give the packs together as one gift.
What else does the recipient need to add to the mix?
It depends on the variant: Koopmans Complete needs water for the batter, while Koopmans Original requires milk and eggs. You’ll still need a pan and cooking fat to fry the pancakes; follow the instructions on the pack you choose.
How can I check allergens when giving pancake mix as a gift?
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging, and check the ingredients that will be added at home too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling of allergens on pre-packed foods; a gluten-free label on its own doesn’t tell you whether egg or milk may also be listed.
How should you store pancake mix after opening?
Store the mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends following the storage advice and use-by date on the product packaging.