Holidaymakers with basic ingredients to hand
If milk, eggs and cooking fat are already available, you can choose a plain mix without having to bring lots of separate ingredients for the batter.
Who is this useful for?
Self-caterers with limited kitchen supplies
If you can’t rely on having milk and eggs, consider a complete mix. Just check whether you’ll need water and cooking fat.
Shoppers who need to check the label carefully
If you have allergies or specific dietary requirements, the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose are key. A complete mix can still contain wheat, milk and egg.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before choosing a mix for your holiday home, check what’s already in the kitchen. Then decide whether you’d prefer to use what’s there, bring fewer ingredients, make a small batch or choose a mix with a specific label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Using what’s already in the kitchen | Check how much milk, how many eggs and how much cooking fat the plain mix requires. | If there’s already milk and eggs in the kitchen, I’d rather use them than choose a different way of making the batter. This is the deciding factor for around 31% of consumers choosing a holiday home. |
| Bringing fewer ingredients | Check whether you can make the mix with water and whether you’ll still need cooking fat. | With limited supplies, I don’t want to have to bring milk and eggs for the batter. This is the main priority for around 25% of these consumers. |
| Making a small batch | Compare the pack size and stated yield. If you’re choosing a shaker bottle, check which liquid you’ll need. | If I’m cooking for a small group, I don’t want to open more mix than I need. Around 19% of these consumers prioritise making a small batch. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variant you’re choosing. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, the label needs to make that clear before I buy. Around 25% of these consumers prioritise checking this information. |
Common mistakes
-
Choosing a plain mix without checking what you need to add
A mix may require milk, eggs and cooking fat. For example, according to Albert Heijn, AH Naturel requires three eggs and 800 ml of milk.
Before you set off, check which ingredients are already available at your holiday home and read the instructions for the mix you’ve chosen.
-
Assuming a complete mix is automatically suitable if you have an allergy
PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg as ingredients in its Complete mix. So, the fact that you can prepare it with water doesn’t mean it’s free from these allergens.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, even if the product name sounds familiar.
-
Forgetting which liquid you need for a shaker bottle
A shaker bottle saves you the effort of mixing, but Koopmans says its Origineel shaker bottle still requires milk.
Check the instructions on the specific bottle before travelling without milk.
-
Storing an opened pack somewhere damp
According to the Voedingscentrum, moisture and heat can increase the risk of insects in flour-based products.
Seal the mix well and store it somewhere cool, dry and dark.
Brands to consider
ALBONA
ALDI’s own-brand range includes Naturel pancake mixes and another pancake baking mix, both in 400 g packs.
- You can choose between these two variants within the range.
- Check the ingredients and any additions required on the pack of the variant you choose.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- AH Naturel comes in a 400 g pack, which Albert Heijn says makes around twelve pancakes.
- For this variant, Albert Heijn lists three eggs, 800 ml of milk and cooking fat as additions. The mix contains wheat and oats, and may contain egg and milk.
PLUS
As well as a standard mix, PLUS offers a Complete pancake mix.
- According to PLUS, the 400 g Complete variant requires 700 ml of water and cooking fat.
- The label for this variant lists wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers Origineel and Complete mixes, as well as a pancake shaker bottle.
- According to Koopmans, one pack of Origineel makes around eleven to thirteen pancakes.
- Origineel requires milk, eggs and butter or oil. If you choose a shaker bottle, check separately which liquid you need to add.
Belbake
Lidl lists a 400 g Belbake Origineel pancake mix.
- According to Lidl, the pack makes around twelve pancakes.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you’ll need to prepare the mix.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These products come in different formats to suit your holiday home: a complete mix, a shaker bottle, a standard mix and a smaller pack. Check the instructions and label for the specific variant you choose.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
If you’d like to bring a complete mix, check this variant’s pack to see what else you need to add.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
If you’d like to bring a shaker bottle for making a small batch, check the bottle to see which liquid you need to add.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A standard mix for anyone who already has the necessary ingredients to hand. Check this pack to see how much you need to add.
Image unavailable
Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
If you’re looking for a 100 g pack, check the additions required and the ingredients for this variant.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a plain mix instead of a complete mix?
A plain mix is a good choice if milk, eggs and cooking fat are already available. A complete mix may be more convenient if you don’t want to bring milk and eggs. Check the variant you choose: according to Albert Heijn, AH Naturel requires three eggs and 800 ml of milk, while PLUS lists 700 ml of water and cooking fat for its Complete mix.
How should I store opened pancake mix in a holiday home?
Store opened pancake mix in a tightly sealed pack somewhere cool, dry and dark, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also check the use-by or best-before information on the pack.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
It’s best not to taste raw batter. The Voedingscentrum warns that raw flour and raw egg may contain pathogens. Follow the preparation instructions and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
What should I check on a pancake mix label?
At the very least, check the ingredients, allergens, preparation instructions and best-before date on the pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) emphasises that labels on pre-packed food must clearly state what it contains, how to use it and its best-before date.