Planning a savoury menu
You want toppings such as cheese or vegetables to bring most of the flavour. A mix that’s also intended for savoury pancakes gives you a suitable base; Koopmans lists savoury uses for its classic and complete mixes.
Which mix is right for you?
Cooking with little time to prepare
You want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible for dinner. According to the preparation instructions from Koopmans and PLUS, their complete mixes are made with water, while their bottle mixes require milk. So check the preparation instructions for the variant you choose.
Comparing ingredients carefully
Perhaps you’re looking for a particular type of flour or need to avoid certain allergens. Compare the ingredients list with the allergen information: wholemeal, buckwheat and gluten-free describe different properties and don’t, by themselves, tell you what other ingredients are included.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for your meal: whether the mix works with savoury toppings, how much preparation it needs, whether you need to check the ingredients carefully, or whether you want a particular type of flour. Then compare the preparation instructions and the quantity each pack makes.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Savoury toppings | Check whether the mix is intended for savoury recipes and how many pancakes the pack makes. | If the toppings are what give my meal its Italian character, I want a suitable base without having the flavour decided by the mix. For around 36% of consumers, that flexibility matters most. |
| Quick preparation | Check whether you need water, milk, eggs and cooking fat, and how to use the prepared batter. | When I have little time for shopping and preparation, I want to know what else needs to go into the batter. Convenience is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the pack I choose must meet my requirements, even if it says gluten-free on the front. Around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| Type of flour | Compare the types of flour listed and, if it matters to your choice, the nutritional information per 100 g. | If I specifically want wholemeal or buckwheat, I check the ingredients rather than relying on a term such as multigrain. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
A mix containing several types of grain doesn’t automatically contain wholemeal flour. So if you specifically want wholemeal, you can’t rely on the name alone.
Check the ingredients list for items such as wholemeal wheat flour or wholemeal oat flour.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
The Consenza mix described as gluten-free by Albert Heijn also lists milk powder, egg powder and lupin, as well as possible traces of soya, nuts and sesame.
Compare the full information on the current pack with the ingredients you need to avoid.
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Choosing a bottle mix without planning the meal
Mixing the batter in a bottle can be convenient, but check whether the quantity is right for the number of people eating and which liquid you need to add.
Before mixing, read the yield and instructions for that specific bottle mix.
PLUS says to use the batter from its bottle mix immediately after mixing it with milk.
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Assuming the batter is ready to eat
Albert Heijn’s product information for the Koopmans wholemeal mix says that the batter should not be eaten raw.
Follow the preparation instructions on the pack and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different types of pancake mix. Always compare individual variants within a brand: preparation methods, ingredients and allergens aren’t the same across the whole range.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers, among other options, a classic mix, a complete mix, a shake bottle and a wholemeal variant.
- According to Koopmans, you add milk, eggs and butter to Origineel yourself; Compleet is made with water, while the shake bottle requires milk.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by variant, so check the pack of the mix you’re actually choosing.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain packet mix, a complete packet mix and a plain bottle mix.
- PLUS clearly distinguishes between the variants in its preparation instructions: the plain packet mix requires milk, eggs and cooking fat, while the complete packet mix requires water and cooking fat.
- The bottle mix requires milk, and PLUS says to use the prepared batter immediately.
Albona
ALDI describes Albona as a multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
- The multigrain label gives you a useful starting point if you want to compare mixes containing different types of grain.
- Check the pack for the exact ingredients and allergens; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
Belbake
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix, intended to make around 12 pancakes.
- The stated yield helps you plan for the number of people eating.
- Before buying, check the preparation method, ingredients and allergens on the pack.
Consenza
Albert Heijn describes Consenza pancake mix as gluten-free and wheat-free, and says it’s prepared with water.
- A clear gluten-free label is useful if this is a requirement for your mix.
- The listed ingredients include milk powder, egg powder and lupin, and mention possible traces of soya, nuts and sesame. Always check the current pack.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These pancake mixes suit different preferences for a savoury Italian evening: fewer additions during preparation, a mix with wholemeal in the name, or a classic base. Check each pack’s preparation method and quantity to see what works for your meal.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A good option if you want to add savoury toppings and are looking for a mix you can prepare with water.
Pack size: 210 g. Choose the number of packs to suit the number of people eating, and check the current ingredients and allergen information if you need to avoid anything.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone looking to compare a mix with ‘wholegrains’ in the product name for savoury pancakes. Read the ingredients list to see which types of flour this variant contains.
Pack size: 400 g. For preparation, allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat or oil; if you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen information too.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A classic base if you want the toppings to provide most of the savoury flavour.
Pack size: 400 g. You’ll also need milk, eggs and butter or oil; check the current pack for preparation and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Which pancake mix goes well with savoury Italian toppings?
Start with a mix that’s also intended for savoury recipes, so you can choose the toppings yourself. Koopmans lists this use for both its classic and complete mixes; then compare which ingredients you need to add to the variant you choose.
Do I still need milk and eggs for a complete pancake mix?
Not for the Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete mixes mentioned here: according to their preparation instructions, you make them with water. You may still need butter or oil for frying. Check the instructions on your pack, as ‘complete’ doesn’t mean you can skip that check.
Is a gluten-free pancake mix also free from milk and egg?
No, a gluten-free label doesn’t mean that. The Consenza mix described as gluten-free by Albert Heijn lists milk powder, egg powder and lupin, as well as possible traces of other allergens. So check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific mix.
Can I keep batter mixed in a bottle mix?
Follow the instructions for the specific bottle mix. For its plain bottle mix, PLUS says to use the batter immediately after mixing it with milk and not to store it, so plan to mix it just before cooking.