Home bakers with fussy eaters
If a familiar pancake is important at the table, you could start with a classic mix. Compare it with a wholegrain or multigrain variety if you also want to consider the grains used.
Which option is right for you?
Home bakers keeping an eye on fibre
You’re specifically looking for wholegrain and comparing the nutritional information for each product, rather than assuming every multigrain mix has the same ingredients.
Home bakers looking to keep preparation simple
You’re comparing a complete packet mix with a shaker bottle, focusing on what you need to add, how to prepare it and how many pancakes you want to make.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which quality matters most for your batter: a familiar taste, wholegrain ingredients, easy preparation, or being able to check ingredients and allergens. Then compare the instructions on the specific mix’s packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar taste and texture | Check whether the mix is described as classic or plain, and which ingredients you need to add yourself. | If fussy eaters expect a familiar pancake, I don’t want to judge it by the grain description alone. For around 29% of consumers, that familiar taste comes first. |
| Wholegrain or multigrain | Read the product description, ingredients and nutritional information; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholegrain. | If you’re specifically looking for a wholegrain mix, you’ll want to know what’s actually in the pack, even if the taste or texture may be different. The choice of grains comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Less preparation | Compare what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. | When I want to make batter quickly, it matters whether water is enough or whether I need milk and eggs. Around 21% of consumers place the most importance on ease of preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the mix’s current label, as well as any milk, egg or toppings you use yourself. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to assess both the mix and the finished dish. For around 21% of consumers, checking this is the first selection criterion. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain and wholegrain mean the same thing
A multigrain mix isn’t automatically a wholegrain mix. Koopmans describes its organic multigrain variety as a mix with finely milled wholegrain flours; that doesn’t mean every multigrain mix has the same ingredients.
Look for an explicit wholegrain description and check the ingredients if wholegrain is a priority for you.
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Thinking a complete mix is ready to eat
You still need to cook batter made from a complete mix. The ingredients you need to add also vary by product: Albert Heijn says to add water to Koopmans Compleet, while PLUS lists milk for its plain shaker bottle.
Read the preparation instructions and check what you need to add and how many pancakes you want to make before buying.
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Relying on the online product name alone if you have allergies
A mix’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the product or in the ingredients you add yourself. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the requirement to list allergens on the labels of prepacked foods.
Read the packaging of the variety you’re buying, including any warnings about cross-contamination, and check the other ingredients in your batter too.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Koopmans
Offers classic, complete, organic multigrain and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others.
- Koopmans lists wheat, oats and buckwheat in its Original mix; for its organic multigrain variety, the brand mentions finely milled wholegrain flours.
- Preparation instructions vary by variety. For its gluten-free mix, Koopmans says to add milk and eggs.
Albert Heijn
Offers own-label mixes, including plain, multigrain and wholegrain varieties.
- The wholegrain variety is specifically labelled as a wholegrain mix.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety; the wholegrain label doesn’t apply to all AH mixes.
Jumbo
Offers separate plain and complete own-label varieties; Jumbo also lists an organic buckwheat mix from Smaakt.
- The separate product descriptions make it easier to distinguish between plain and complete mixes.
- Check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for your chosen variety.
PLUS
Offers a plain packet mix, a complete packet mix and a plain shaker bottle.
- PLUS says to make its complete packet mix with water; for its plain shaker bottle, PLUS lists milk.
- A shaker bottle and a complete packet mix don’t necessarily call for the same additions.
Belbake (Lidl)
Belbake offers an original pancake mix.
- The variety is labelled as an original pancake mix.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products, Lidl directs customers to the packaging.
Albona (ALDI)
Albona offers plain and multigrain pancake baking mixes.
- The product descriptions distinguish between plain and multigrain varieties.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of your chosen variety.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes suit different approaches to home baking: classic, multigrain, a complete mix or a shaker bottle. Compare the packaging and preparation instructions for each product; the final mix has its own flavour.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to make batter with fewer separate ingredients. The pack contains 210 g; check the preparation instructions and whether it makes enough pancakes for the number of people you’re serving.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
For anyone looking for a mix made with several types of grain and happy to check the grain ingredients for each product. The pack contains 400 g; read the label if the exact wholegrain ingredients or allergens matter to you.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
A classic mix to consider if you want a familiar base for a range of toppings. The pack contains 400 g. Koopmans lists wheat, oats and buckwheat in its Original mix; also check which ingredients you need to add yourself.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker bottle to consider if you want to make batter without using a separate mixing bowl. The bottle contains 175 g of mix; check which liquid you need to add and whether the quantity suits your baking plans.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A flavoured option to consider if you want to compare a smaller pack. It contains 100 g; check the preparation instructions, how many pancakes it makes and the ingredients before deciding whether it suits your baking plans.
Frequently asked questions
Does multigrain mean the same as wholegrain?
No, the terms don’t automatically mean the same thing. Albert Heijn offers a mix explicitly labelled as wholegrain, while Koopmans describes its organic multigrain variety as a mix with finely milled wholegrain flours. Check the label to see which grains are in the specific mix.
Do you only need water for a complete pancake mix?
You do for some complete mixes, but always check the specific variety. Albert Heijn lists water for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS says to use water for its complete packet mix; PLUS’s plain shaker bottle, on the other hand, calls for milk.
Can you eat pancake batter raw?
Don’t eat the batter raw if the packaging says it needs to be cooked. Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Compleet batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be cooked thoroughly; follow the instructions for your mix.
What should you check if you have an allergy?
Check the current label on the exact mix and assess any ingredients you add yourself too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the need to list allergens on the labels of prepacked foods; also look out for any cross-contamination warnings.
Can you make a gluten-free mix without milk and eggs?
Not necessarily. Koopmans says to add milk and eggs when preparing its gluten-free pancake mix. Check the instructions for your chosen mix and assess any added ingredients separately.