Choose pancake mix as a gift based on how many people will be eating and how much preparation the recipient wants to do. A shaker bottle is ideal for a small, spontaneous baking session; a standard pack provides more batter for an evening with friends or family, while a multipack is handy for several baking sessions. Before buying, check the preparation instructions and, if the recipient has dietary requirements or allergies, the current label.
They’ll want enough batter for several people and might like you to add some toppings to the gift. A 400 g pack or several packs is a better bet than a single small shaker bottle. Koopmans says its 400 g Original pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
They’re looking for a compact gift for a spontaneous baking session, with little measuring involved. According to PLUS, all you need to do is add water to the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle, which makes around five pancakes.
They need a mix whose ingredients and allergens meet their requirements. If necessary, ask the recipient what they can eat first, then check the current label—even if the front says ‘gluten-free’.
First, work out how many people and baking sessions the gift should cater for. Then choose between a mix that needs very little preparation and a pack that requires the recipient to add more ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for everyone | Compare the stated yield with the number of people eating, and check whether you’re buying one pack or several. | If I’m baking with a group, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. For around 36% of consumers, having enough for everyone comes first. |
| Minimal preparation | Check which liquid and other ingredients you need to add, and how many pancakes the mix makes. | For a spontaneous baking session, I want to avoid measuring lots of ingredients or having to gather them first. Convenience is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the current packaging; if in doubt, ask the recipient about their requirements. | If the gift needs to suit a dietary requirement or allergy, I want to know which mix the recipient can use. For around 21% of consumers, making sure it meets those requirements is the top priority. |
| A gift for more than one evening | Check whether a multipack consists of separate items, and think about how you’d like to present the packs. | I want to give something the recipient can use for several baking sessions, without assuming a multipack comes ready-wrapped as a gift. That’s the most important consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, a 200 g sachet of Koopmans makes five to six pancakes. PLUS says the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle makes around five, compared with the 11 to 13 stated by Koopmans for its 400 g Original mix.
Work out how many people will be eating before choosing a size; you may need several packs for a larger table.
A mix that only needs water may still contain allergens. Even a gluten-free option needs to be checked for other ingredients and any warnings on the label.
If the gift is for someone with an allergy or coeliac disease, check with them and read the current packaging—not just the wording on the front.
According to Koopmans, its Original mix needs milk, eggs and butter; the shaker bottle reviewed here is made with water. The extra ingredients therefore vary by product.
Read the preparation instructions before putting the gift together, and let the recipient know which ingredients they’ll need.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially important when the gift needs to meet a specific dietary requirement.
When you buy it, check the label on the pack you’ll actually be giving, including the use-by date.
These brands and retailers offer a range of pack sizes; their inclusion here doesn’t mean every option will suit every recipient.
Koopmans offers standard packs, a shaker bottle and a gluten-free pancake mix, among other options.
A retailer offering, among other things, a small Koopmans sachet and a Koopmans 3-pack.
A retailer offering, among other things, its own 400 g Complete mix and the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle.
ALDI’s own brand, listed for 400 g pancake mixes.
Lidl’s own brand, with a 400 g Original pancake mix.
These Joybuy products include 400 g packs for a shared baking session and smaller packs for a smaller group. Before choosing, check which extra ingredients are needed and whether the recipient has any dietary requirements.
No image available
A 400 g pack to consider for a shared baking night. You’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil to prepare it; if the recipient has allergies, check the current packaging for information about cereals, milk and eggs.
No image available
A good size for making pancakes with a group. Koopmans says its 400 g Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes; you’ll also need milk, eggs and butter or oil. If the recipient has dietary requirements, check the current label.
No image available
A smaller size for a spontaneous baking session with minimal preparation. Compare the yield with the number of people eating, follow the instructions for adding water and check the current allergen information on the label.
No image available
A compact shaker pack to consider for a small baking session. Bear in mind that you’ll need milk to prepare it; check that the yield suits the number of people eating, and read the current allergen information on the label.
A 210 g shaker bottle is a good fit for a small, spontaneous baking session if the recipient wants to avoid measuring lots of ingredients. PLUS says the Koopmans shaker bottle makes around five pancakes; compare that yield with the number of people eating and check what needs to be added.
It depends on how many people will be eating and the yield of the mix you choose. Koopmans says its 400 g Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes; remember that this variety also needs milk, eggs and butter.
Only if the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging meet the recipient’s requirements. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens: according to the product information, the Koopmans variety reviewed may contain eggs and milk. If in doubt, ask the recipient which mix is suitable.
It’s best not to taste raw batter. Voedingscentrum warns that raw dough or batter can make you ill, so cook the pancakes thoroughly before serving.
