Restocking when you have the basics at home
You already have milk, eggs and cooking fat, and don’t want to buy more than you need for a small batch. In that case, look for a plain mix and check the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
Which mix is right for you?
Cooking at home without milk or eggs
You want to start cooking as soon as you get back from the shops. According to their product information, PLUS and Jumbo’s complete mixes need water and cooking fat, with no need to add milk or eggs to the batter.
Checking the label carefully
You need to consider specific ingredients or allergens when choosing a mix. The words ‘plain’ or ‘complete’ don’t tell you which allergens the mix contains or may contain; you’ll need to check the information on the exact pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking what you have at home and what you’ll need to add to your chosen mix. Then check the pack size and, if particular ingredients matter to you, the label on the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Extra ingredients | Compare the ingredients listed on the pack with the milk, eggs and cooking fat you already have. | If I already have the basics at home, I only want to buy the mix for this batch. For around 50% of consumers, avoiding extra purchases is the top priority. |
| Ready to cook straight away | Check whether you need water and cooking fat as well as the mix, or whether you’ll also need milk and eggs. | If I’m out of milk and eggs, I don’t want to make another trip to the shops before I can start cooking. An estimated 20% of consumers prioritise being able to use the mix straight away. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety, including any statements about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know what’s in the pack before I use it. For around 30% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Forgetting what you need besides the mix
The plain mixes from PLUS and Jumbo covered here need milk, eggs and cooking fat. Their complete mixes need water and cooking fat.
Check the preparation instructions before you set off and make a note of anything you don’t have at home.
With a plain mix, that may mean picking up milk, eggs and cooking fat too.
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Mistaking a shaker bottle for a standard pack
A shaker bottle and a pack of mix aren’t necessarily the same size or prepared in the same way. A smaller pack may suit a small batch, but check what you actually need to add.
Check the pack weight, stated yield and preparation instructions for the shaker bottle you choose.
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Assuming plain or complete means allergen-free
Jumbo lists wheat, milk and egg among the ingredients in its complete mix. A plain mix may have different ingredients and different statements about possible traces.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack every time you buy it, even if you’ve bought it before.
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Relying on information from a pack you bought before
Ingredients and product information can change, so the details you remember from a previous pack may not apply to the one you’re buying now.
Check the pack weight, preparation instructions and label again when you buy the mix.
Brands and varieties to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a range that includes original, complete, multigrain and wholemeal mixes, as well as shaker bottle varieties. Preparation instructions vary by variety.
- The different pack formats give you a choice between a standard pack and a shaker bottle.
- Check what you need to add and which allergens are listed for each variety.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes plain and complete pancake mixes.
- You can compare what you need to add to different types of mix from the same retailer.
- Check the information for the exact variety; the name of the mix type doesn’t replace the preparation instructions.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a 400 g plain and a 400 g complete own-brand mix.
- For the plain mix, add milk, eggs and cooking fat; for the complete mix, add water and cooking fat.
- According to Jumbo, the complete mix contains milk and egg. So, only needing to add water doesn’t mean those allergens are absent.
PLUS
PLUS offers a 400 g plain mix and a 400 g complete mix.
- The preparation instructions make the difference clear: the plain mix needs milk and eggs, while the complete mix needs water. Both require cooking fat.
- Check the product information on the pack you buy, as it may change.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI own brand, with products including a 400 g plain pancake mix.
- The standard pack may suit you if you already have the usual ingredients for a plain mix at home.
- Check the pack for the exact requirements, ingredients and allergen information.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
This selection includes complete mixes, standard packs and smaller shaker bottles for different batch sizes. Check what you need to add to each product; a shaker bottle isn’t automatically a complete mix.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete mix in a smaller shaker bottle for anyone who doesn’t want to add milk or eggs to the batter.
According to the product information, you need to add 350 ml of water. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
A 400 g pack for anyone planning a batch at home and looking for a multigrain variety.
Before you start cooking, check whether you need milk, eggs and cooking fat. If you have allergies, read the label on the exact pack too.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
A standard pack for anyone who can get the ingredients for a traditional pancake mix ready at home.
Check the pack for the quantities of milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need, and read the allergen information.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The 175 g shaker bottle is a good fit if you’re looking for a smaller pack.
Don’t assume you need the same ingredients as for a complete shaker mix. Check the preparation instructions and make sure you have milk if needed.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
A 100 g pack for anyone looking for a smaller quantity of mix.
Check the preparation instructions before you start: this mix needs water and an egg. Read the allergen information on the pack too.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a plain mix instead of a complete mix?
A plain mix is a good choice if you already have the milk, eggs and cooking fat you need at home. If you’re out of milk and eggs, look for a complete mix and check what else that particular variety requires.
What should I add to a plain mix?
For the plain mixes from PLUS and Jumbo covered here, add milk, eggs and butter or oil. Check the instructions on your own pack for the quantities.
Do I only need water for a complete mix?
The complete mixes from PLUS and Jumbo need water and cooking fat. Not having to add milk or eggs doesn’t mean those ingredients are absent from the mix; check the label if you need to avoid them.
Can I tell which allergens a mix contains from its name?
No. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack, including any statements about possible traces. For example, the standard complete mix from Jumbo covered here contains wheat, milk and egg.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store the pack in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it well, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the storage instructions on the pack.