The keen home baker who enjoys baking together
For a shared breakfast or baking session, a box with enough mix to make several pancakes is a sensible choice. With a standard mix, the recipient will often need to add milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Who is the gift for?
Someone who wants to keep preparation to a minimum
A complete mix may mean fewer ingredients need to be added. A shaker bottle means there’s no need for a mixing bowl, although you may still need to add milk. So, check the preparation instructions for the version you choose.
Someone with specific dietary requirements
If the recipient has an allergy or needs a gluten-free mix, the information on the exact pack matters. Check the ingredients and allergens, as well as any ‘may contain’ warnings, before choosing your gift.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the gift is for making pancakes or baking bread. If it’s for pancakes, choose based on the pack size, preparation method and the recipient’s dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for baking together | Compare the pack size and stated yield. Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. | If I want to bake with others, the pack needs to make enough for the occasion. Around 37% of consumers would put having enough mix first. |
| Minimal preparation | Check what you need to add: AH and PLUS complete mixes call for water and cooking fat, while a shaker bottle may require milk. | I want to give a gift that lets the recipient get started without needing lots of extra ingredients. Convenience would come first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Suitable for specific dietary requirements | Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack, along with any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to choose a mix based on its name alone. Suitability would matter most to around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing pancake mix for a bread-baking project
Pancake mix makes batter for pancakes, not bread. So it’s not the right choice if the gift is meant for a specific bread-baking project.
Ask what the recipient wants to bake. If it’s bread, choose a bread mix and give pancake mix as an extra at most.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means suitable for every dietary requirement
AH and PLUS complete mixes still require cooking fat. What’s more, a complete preparation method doesn’t mean the mix is suitable for someone with an allergy or other dietary requirement.
Check both the preparation instructions and the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
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Choosing a shaker bottle for a large group
Koopmans says its shaker bottle makes around five pancakes. So its compact size may not be the best fit for a shared baking session with lots of people.
Compare the stated yield with the number of people the gift is for, and check which liquid needs to be added.
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Relying on information from an older pack
Ingredients and allergens vary between brands and versions. If the recipient has a relevant allergy, ‘may contain’ warnings may also be important.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack you’re giving as a gift.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a standard mix, a complete version, a shaker bottle and a version marketed as gluten-free, among other options.
- Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; the complete version requires water to be added to the batter.
- The ingredients required and allergens vary between versions. Check the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range includes a 400 g complete pancake mix.
- According to Albert Heijn, you add 700 ml of water and cooking fat to this mix.
- This version contains wheat, whey powder and barn egg powder. Check the label if the recipient has relevant dietary requirements.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a 400 g Plain mix, among other versions.
- Jumbo says its Plain mix makes around 12 portions.
- Preparation instructions and ingredients vary between versions, so read the pack before giving one as a gift.
PLUS
PLUS offers standard and complete 400 g mixes, as well as a 200 g bottle.
- According to PLUS, the standard mix requires milk and eggs, while you add water to the complete mix.
- The bottle mix requires milk; PLUS advises using the prepared batter straight away.
ALDI (Albona)
Albona offers a pancake mix, while ALDI sells bread mix as a separate product.
- According to ALDI, you prepare Albona pancake mix with milk and eggs.
- If someone specifically wants to bake bread, don’t give them pancake mix as a substitute for bread mix.
Lidl (Belbake)
Belbake offers a 400 g Origineel pancake mix.
- Lidl states that it makes around 12 pancakes.
- Lidl says this version is only available in store.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes make a suitable extra gift for someone who wants to make pancakes. Options range from 400 g boxes to smaller bottles and a 100 g pack. If your gift is specifically for someone who wants to bake bread, choose a bread mix.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
A box for anyone looking to give pancake mix as an extra baking gift. Check the preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack, especially if the recipient has specific dietary requirements.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
For a baking session with several people: Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Check which ingredients the recipient will need to add.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A compact shaker bottle for a smaller pancake-making session. Compare the yield and check the pack to see what you need to add.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A smaller complete mix for anyone looking to keep preparation to a minimum. Check the instructions to see what needs to be added, and check the allergens on the pack.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A small pack to give as an extra pancake-making gift. Before buying, check the stated yield, preparation instructions and allergens to see if this mix is suitable for the recipient.
Frequently asked questions
Is pancake mix a suitable gift for someone who enjoys baking bread?
Yes, as an extra for someone who also enjoys making pancakes. If the recipient specifically wants to bake bread, choose a bread mix: pancake mix is made for batter that’s cooked in a pan.
What’s the difference between standard and complete pancake mix?
The difference is what you need to add according to the preparation instructions. The standard PLUS mix requires milk and eggs; with the PLUS and AH complete mixes, you add water as well as cooking fat. Check the instructions for the version you choose.
Can I give pancake mix to someone with a food allergy?
Only choose a mix after checking the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels. Don’t rely on the brand name or information from an older pack alone.
Can I keep batter from a shaker bottle after mixing it?
Follow the instructions on the bottle. PLUS advises using the batter from its shaker bottle straight away after mixing it with milk.