A 400 g dry mix is a good fit for a store-cupboard gift if the recipient has the ingredients needed to make it. Choose a complete mix if you want to keep additional ingredients to a minimum; a small shaker bottle works better as an extra than as the main gift. If the recipient has dietary requirements, ask first what they can use, then check the label and best-before date before giving it.
You want to give several packets that the recipient can use as needed. Check the yield per pack: Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, while Albert Heijn gives a yield of around 12 for AH Naturel.
You’re looking for a mix that doesn’t also require the recipient to have milk and eggs. According to Koopmans’ product information, you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet.
First, you need to know which ingredients the recipient avoids. A standard, wholemeal or multigrain mix isn’t automatically gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for pre-packed foods must appear on the label.
First, ask about any dietary requirements. Then compare the additional ingredients needed and choose a pack size that suits how much the recipient is likely to use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight and stated yield of the exact pack. | If I’m giving a household some store-cupboard supplies, I want to know how many pancakes a pack makes. Quantity is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Additional ingredients | Check whether the variety calls for water, milk, eggs or cooking fat. | If the recipient doesn’t have many ingredients at home, I want to choose a mix that suits them. Ease of preparation is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Diet and allergens | Check the label on the exact variety, including any ‘may contain’ statements, and consider any additional ingredients you plan to include. | If someone has a known dietary requirement, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Around 21% of consumers put suitability first. |
| Gift size | Decide whether a larger pack or a small extra is more suitable; also check the best-before date and that the packaging is undamaged. | For a small gift, I want to give something the recipient can actually use. Pack size is the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
According to Albert Heijn, AH Naturel requires ingredients including milk, eggs and cooking fat. Koopmans, on the other hand, says that Pannenkoeken Compleet only requires water.
Read the preparation instructions for your chosen variety before putting the gift together.
Choosing a different type of grain doesn’t mean a mix is gluten-free. Any additional ingredients and toppings must also suit the recipient’s dietary requirements.
Ask which ingredients need to be avoided and check the current labels on all the products in the gift.
Koopmans says its Origineel shaker bottle makes around five pancakes. That’s a different size from the packs mentioned above, which make around 10 to 13 pancakes.
Choose a shaker bottle for a small pancake-making session; compare larger packs if quantity is your priority.
For a store-cupboard gift, it’s also important to check how the mix should be stored and whether the packaging is undamaged.
Follow the storage advice on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises checking the best-before date on unopened packs.
Koopmans offers varieties including Origineel, Compleet, multigrain mixes and a shaker bottle. The right option mainly depends on how you want to prepare it and the pack size you need.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes Naturel and Volkoren pancake mixes in a range of pack sizes.
Dr. Oetker American Pancakes Origineel is a mix for American-style pancakes, not the usual thin Dutch pancake.
For a store-cupboard gift you put together yourself, these two 400 g packs are a good option. The smaller 210 g Complete variety works better as an extra; check the preparation instructions and the label on the pack you buy for each product.
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A dry mix pack for a store-cupboard gift for someone who likes to make their own pancakes. Check which additional ingredients this variety requires and whether the best-before date suits when it’s likely to be used.
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A good fit for a store-cupboard gift for someone who can add milk and eggs when preparing it. Check the instructions on this pack for the quantities needed and check the best-before date.
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A smaller pack to add to a store-cupboard gift. Read the preparation instructions and allergen information for this Complete variety; don’t assume it requires the same additional ingredients as a different pack size.
Not with every variety: a standard mix may require milk, eggs and cooking fat. According to Koopmans, you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet. Check the preparation instructions on the pack you’ve chosen, even if you’re buying a different size.
If a gluten-free product is needed, choose one that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Koopmans says its gluten-free pancake mix meets the AOECS standard; also check the current label and all the additional ingredients and toppings you’re giving them.
Yes, especially if the recipient has an allergy or other dietary requirement. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about the specified allergens must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. So check the packaging of the exact variety you’re giving.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends doing this for unopened packs too; after opening, check the label again for storage instructions.
Follow the preparation instructions and cook the batter thoroughly. In its product information for Koopmans Compleet and Glutenvrij, Jumbo says the batter is not intended to be eaten raw and must be heated all the way through.
