Choose how much pancake mix to take based on the number of people eating and how many times you plan to cook: one pack is suitable for one planned cooking session, while a few extra individual packs are handy if you’ll be making pancakes more often. Then choose between a standard mix, which needs additional ingredients, a complete mix that you prepare with water, or a shaker bottle for a smaller portion. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the packaging for each option.
For a family or a group of guests, it’s not just the number of people eating that matters, but also how often you want to make pancakes during your holiday. Several individual packs let you open one pack per cooking session; Albert Heijn states that the Koopmans 3-pack is supplied as three separate items.
If you want to take fewer ingredients or less mixing equipment, compare a complete mix with a shaker bottle. Koopmans and PLUS describe complete options that you prepare with water; also check what you’ll need to cook the pancakes.
If gluten, eggs, milk or possible traces of allergens affect your choice, the name of the mix isn’t enough. For example, PLUS states that Koopmans Gluten-Free may contain egg and milk, while the Smaakt buckwheat mix may contain traces of other allergens.
First, work out how many times you expect to make pancakes and how many people will be eating. Then check which ingredients and utensils you’ll have at your holiday accommodation. If you have a specific dietary requirement, always check the label of the option you choose.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and supplies | Compare the number of packs with the stated yield of the exact mix. Koopmans states that Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes and Complete makes 8 to 10; Albert Heijn supplies its Koopmans 3-pack as separate items. | If we’re making pancakes as a group on several days of our holiday, I want to take enough mix without opening everything at once. Around 42% of consumers give having enough portions and supplies their highest priority. |
| Preparation | Check which liquid and other ingredients you need to add, and whether you’ll need any mixing equipment. A complete mix and a shaker bottle don’t necessarily require the same preparation. | In a small holiday kitchen, I don’t want to discover halfway through cooking that I still need ingredients or a mixing bowl. For around 33% of consumers, easy preparation comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current packaging of the exact option you’ve chosen. | If someone in our group needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to tell whether this pack is suitable. Suitable ingredients are the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn states that its Koopmans Original 3-pack consists of separate items. That’s different from one pack of mix that you prepare all at once.
Check how many individual packs you’ll receive and plan how many you want to use for each cooking session.
According to PLUS, its 400 g Natural mix needs milk and eggs, while you add water to PLUS Complete. You’ll notice the difference most when your holiday kitchen has limited equipment.
Read the instructions on your pack before you leave, and check whether you’ll also need cooking fat and a suitable frying pan.
Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from egg or milk: PLUS states that Koopmans Gluten-Free may contain both. The Smaakt buckwheat mix may contain traces of peanuts, soya, nuts and sesame seeds.
Check the current label before every purchase, including the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria. So even when you’re cooking together, raw batter isn’t meant to be tasted.
Ask children to wait until the pancakes are cooked through, and wash your hands while preparing them.
Koopmans offers standard, complete, gluten-free and shaker-bottle options, among others. Preparation methods and stated yields vary by product.
PLUS offers Natural and Complete in 400 g boxes, among other options, as well as Natural in a 200 g bottle.
Albona is the own brand featured on the ALDI product pages reviewed for natural and multigrain pancake mix.
Albert Heijn offers AH pancake mixes in various options and also lists a Koopmans Original 3-pack.
Smaakt offers an organic buckwheat pancake mix for anyone looking for this specific blend.
These packs include 400 g mixes for a planned cooking session and smaller packs for anyone who wants to make less batter. Before packing for your holiday, compare what you need to add for each option.
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One pack for a planned pancake session with everyone. Check the pack for the yield, ingredients to add and allergens before deciding whether one pack will be enough.
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A standard mix for anyone planning a pancake session with several people. Koopmans states that one pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes; check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add to the batter.
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A smaller pack to consider if you want to make less batter. Check the instructions for this option to find out which liquid to use, how much it makes and which allergens it contains; don’t assume it’s prepared in the same way as a larger Complete pack.
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The shaker bottle is an option if you want to make a smaller portion with minimal mixing equipment. Check which liquid this option needs and whether the stated yield will be enough for your group.
Plan for the number of people eating and how many times you want to make pancakes, rather than just going by the pack weight. Koopmans states that Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes and Complete makes 8 to 10; for several cooking sessions, you can take individual packs.
A complete mix is an option if you only want to add water to make the batter. Koopmans says this is the case for Complete, and PLUS specifies 700 ml of water for its Complete box; check the pack you choose to see what else you’ll need for cooking.
Choose a pack that is clearly labelled gluten-free and read the current label for that option. PLUS states that Koopmans Gluten-Free may contain egg and milk, so check separately for any other allergens.
Don’t save batter made from the PLUS Natural bottle for later: according to PLUS, it should be used straight away after mixing with milk. For another shaker bottle, follow the instructions on its own packaging.
It’s best not to taste raw batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria, so cook the pancakes through before serving them.
