Spontaneous baker with few ingredients in the cupboard
Want to make pancakes today without having to buy milk and eggs first? Look for a complete mix that only needs water. Check what cooking fat you’ll need, too.
Who are the mixes suitable for?
Family looking for a wholegrain option
If you’re making a bigger batch and want a mix with wholegrains, compare the ingredients and the stated yield. Bear in mind that you may need to add milk, eggs and cooking fat yourself.
Stock-up baker cooking for several people
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, you can choose based on pack size and the stated number of pancakes. Check the preparation instructions for the variety you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients you still need to buy. Then consider how much you want to make, the types of grain and any ingredients you need to avoid.
| What to consider | Check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Extra ingredients | Check what you need to add to the mix and whether you’ll need cooking fat. | If I don’t have milk or eggs at home, I want to avoid turning a quick shop into a bigger one. That’s why around 36% of consumers prioritise using as few extra ingredients and steps as possible. |
| Quantity and yield | Compare the pack weight and the stated number of pancakes. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to know whether one pack will make enough batter. This is the deciding factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Wholegrains | Check which types of flour are labelled as wholegrain in the ingredients list. | I’m specifically looking for a mix with wholegrains and don’t want to rely on the front of the pack alone. This is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and any warnings. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the specific mix must meet my requirements, whatever the convenience. This check comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every mix only needs water
According to Koopmans, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet is made with water. Albert Heijn, however, says to add milk and eggs to Koopmans’s wholegrain mix.
Before buying, check what you need to add for the variety you’ve chosen, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Confusing a shaker bottle with a complete mix
According to Koopmans, its Koopmans Schudfles Pannenkoeken Origineel requires milk, even though you mix the batter in the bottle.
If you don’t want to add milk, don’t choose based on the packaging alone: check the preparation instructions.
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Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free
The wholegrain mix described by Jumbo contains, among other ingredients, wholemeal wheat and oat flour. Wholegrain does not mean a mix is gluten-free.
If you need to avoid gluten, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a range that includes complete mixes, shaker bottles and wholegrain pancake mixes.
- The different packaging formats offer a range of ways to prepare the batter.
- A complete packet mix and a shaker bottle may need different additional ingredients, so check the instructions for each variety.
AH
Albert Heijn offers a range of pancake mixes under its own brand, including a wholegrain option.
- There are different types of mix to choose from within the brand.
- Even with a wholegrain option, check which ingredients you need to add and the allergens listed on the pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a range of pancake mixes under its own brand, including complete and wholegrain options.
- The 400 g wholegrain mix has an ingredients list that lets you check which types of grain it contains.
- According to Jumbo, this wholegrain mix contains wheat and oats, so it is not a gluten-free option.
PLUS
PLUS offers a range of pancake mixes under its own brand, including complete and wholegrain options.
- According to PLUS, its complete mix requires water, while the wholegrain mix is made with milk and eggs.
- Check which ingredients you still need to add for each variety.
Albona
ALDI lists pancake mix under the Albona brand, including a multigrain variety.
- The multigrain variety offers a different choice of grains from a plain mix.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the specific pack.
Belbake
Lidl lists an original pancake mix under the Belbake brand.
- An option to include in your comparison if you shop at Lidl.
- Check the packaging to see what you need to add and which ingredients the mix contains.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
This selection includes mixes for a small batch as well as packet mixes for making more pancakes. Choose based on the extra ingredients you have at home, and always check the specific packaging if you have dietary requirements.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A good choice for a small batch if you don’t want to add milk or eggs to the batter. The stated preparation method uses water; if you have allergies, check the label for wheat, egg and milk.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For those looking for a mix with different types of grain and who can add milk, eggs and cooking fat. Not all the grains listed are labelled as wholegrain, so check the ingredients list if that matters to you. The mix contains cereals with gluten.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
For a small batch when you want to mix the batter in the bottle. You’ll still need to add milk, so this isn’t the variety that only needs water. If you have allergies, check the packaging for wheat, egg and milk.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A packet mix for making several pancakes if you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home. If you have allergies, check the packaging for cereals containing gluten and any warnings about milk and egg.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A small pack for making pancakes with water and an egg. If you’re cooking for a particular number of people, check the yield on the packaging. If you have allergies, read the ingredients list, as wheat is listed.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix can I choose if I don’t have milk or eggs at home?
Choose a complete mix whose instructions say to add water. Koopmans describes its Pannenkoeken Compleet this way; check whether you’ll also need cooking fat.
Is a shaker bottle the same as a complete mix?
No. A shaker bottle mainly describes how you mix the batter. For its Koopmans Schudfles Pannenkoeken Origineel, Koopmans says to add milk, so check the instructions for the specific bottle.
How can I identify a wholegrain pancake mix?
Check the ingredients list to see which types of flour are labelled as wholegrain. Also compare what you need to add and check the allergens; the ingredients vary between varieties.
Can I use a standard wholegrain mix if I need to avoid gluten?
No, don’t assume a wholegrain mix is gluten-free. The wholegrain mix described by Jumbo contains wheat and oats; choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.