Choose an original mix if you want a familiar pancake, or a wholegrain mix if you’re particularly interested in the grains and fibre. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholegrain: check the flours listed on each pack. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free; a quick preparation method says nothing about allergens in itself.
If you want a familiar pancake base for sweet or savoury toppings, start with an original mix. If you’d like to try wholegrain, bear in mind that Koopmans describes its wholegrain version as having a fuller flavour and a slight bite.
For this choice, the ingredients list matters more than the name on the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that wholegrain cereals contain more fibre than comparable products made with refined flour. However, a multigrain mix doesn’t have to be made predominantly with wholegrains.
A complete mix or shaker bottle can cut down on preparation, but the ingredients you need to add vary by product. Before buying, also check the latest allergen information if gluten, milk or eggs are a concern for you.
When choosing pancakes to enjoy with your coffee, start with the ingredients and preparation method that suit you. If you need to avoid certain allergens, checking the latest label takes priority over flavour or convenience.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar flavour | Check whether you’re choosing an original mix and which types of flour it contains. | If fussy eaters are joining me, I want to start with a pancake they know. Around 40% of consumers put that familiar base first. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check which type of flour is listed first and compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the same preparation basis. | I want to make a conscious choice to buy wholegrain, rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’. For around 30% of consumers, the grain content matters most. |
| Preparation and quantity | Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack is said to make when prepared as directed. | For an impromptu coffee break, I don’t want to have to gather lots of ingredients first or make more batter than I need. For around 20% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; don’t swap an explicitly gluten-free mix for a standard wholegrain or multigrain one. | If I need to avoid an allergen, the pack I choose must suit that requirement. For around 10% of consumers, this check is the main reason for buying. |
For AH Multigrain, Albert Heijn lists 74% wheat flour, alongside smaller amounts of wholegrain barley and oat flour. So the name doesn’t tell you how much wholegrain flour this particular mix contains.
If wholegrain is a priority for you, read the ingredients list on the pack.
An original mix and a complete mix may have different preparation instructions. This matters if you want to bake without having to buy extra ingredients.
Before buying, check both what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack is said to make.
Depending on the mix, you may also need milk, eggs and butter, oil or margarine.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. That means a product page you looked at previously isn’t enough to assess a pack you buy later.
Every time you buy, check the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging.
Koopmans’ product information says that its Multigrain batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw.
Prepare the pancakes as directed on the pack and cook the batter thoroughly.
Koopmans offers a range of pancake mixes, including original, wholegrain, multigrain, gluten-free and complete varieties. Compare the ingredients and preparation instructions for each, rather than treating them as one type of mix.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes wholegrain and multigrain mixes. The ingredients in these two varieties show why the name alone isn’t enough to help you choose.
ALDI Netherlands lists both a plain and a multigrain pancake baking mix under its Albona own brand.
These products offer a choice of original, multigrain and other pancake mixes for a coffee break. Compare the packaging, ingredients and preparation instructions for each variety; a product name alone won’t tell you whether a mix is wholegrain.
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A 210 g pack for a coffee break. Check the instructions for this variety to see which ingredients you need to add to the batter; the word ‘Complete’ isn’t a preparation instruction.
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An original mix for anyone who wants to make a classic pancake to enjoy with their coffee. Koopmans lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour and rye flour; the preparation instructions call for milk, eggs and cooking fat, and the pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. This mix isn’t gluten-free.
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For anyone who wants to compare different types of grain without assuming the mix is entirely wholegrain. In Koopmans’ multigrain variety, wheat flour comes first in the ingredients list; check the pack to see which grains and allergens it contains.
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A 100 g pack for anyone looking for a milk-flavoured pancake mix. The preparation instructions call for water and one egg; also check the pack for wheat and to see whether the quantity suits your portions.
No, not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists 74% wheat flour and smaller amounts of wholegrain barley and oat flour for AH Multigrain, while AH Wholegrain lists wholemeal wheat flour as its base. So check the ingredients for the specific variety.
No, not if you need to avoid gluten. The standard wholegrain and multigrain varieties mentioned here contain cereals that contain gluten. Choose a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the latest label every time you buy.
For AH Wholegrain, Albert Heijn provides a plant-based preparation option using a plant-based drink and apple sauce or an egg replacer. These instructions won’t necessarily apply to other mixes; follow the directions on the pack you choose and check the ingredients if you need to avoid milk or eggs.
Don’t taste Koopmans Multigrain batter raw: according to the product information, it must be cooked thoroughly. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack for other mixes too.
