Families who want to bake together quickly
If the children want to help measure or mix, a complete mix can reduce the number of ingredients you need to add. Still, check the full instructions: you may also need butter or oil for the pan.
Which mix might suit your family?
Families who need to check ingredients
If you need to avoid gluten, milk or egg, there’s more to consider than the name on the front of the pack. For example, according to the product information, Koopmans’ mix labelled gluten-free may contain egg and milk.
Families looking to make a special meal
A multigrain mix offers a different blend of flours, while a cinnamon version gives pancakes a distinctive flavour. Choose the flavour with everyone at the table in mind, or keep the base neutral and let everyone choose their own toppings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most for your baking session: easy preparation, suitable ingredients, the grain base or a distinctive flavour. Then compare the instructions on the pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal preparation | Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. Also check whether you need butter or oil for cooking. | If the children mainly want to help with mixing, I don’t want to measure lots of ingredients first. For around 36% of consumers, easy preparation comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and details of any additions needed. A label such as ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t mean the mix is also free from milk or egg. | If someone at the table needs to avoid gluten, milk or egg, I want to choose a suitable mix and adapt the preparation accordingly. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Grain base | Compare the flours listed and, if nutritional value matters, compare the nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g of prepared product. | I want to build the meal around a particular type of flour, then choose sweet or savoury toppings myself. The grain base is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Distinctive flavour | Check which flavouring ingredients the mix contains and whether everyone will enjoy the taste. Also check what else you need to add. | For a special baking session, I want a flavour that’s already in the pancake, even if that makes the base less neutral. For around 14% of consumers, flavour is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’
According to the product information, Koopmans’ pancake mix labelled gluten-free may contain egg and milk. The usual preparation also calls for milk and eggs.
Check the allergen information on the current pack, and read which ingredients you need to add yourself.
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Assuming ‘just add water’ is the full cooking instruction
A batter made with water may still need butter or oil for cooking. The instructions for PLUS Complete mix list both water and cooking butter or oil.
Read the instructions all the way through, including the cooking steps, before the children help with the batter.
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Letting children taste raw batter
Raw batter isn’t meant to be eaten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that food safety needs extra attention when young children are involved.
Let children taste the pancake only once it’s fully cooked, and keep utensils with raw batter away from the serving dishes.
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Assuming a flavoured mix will suit everyone
Cinnamon gives pancakes a different flavour from a neutral mix, but leaves less room for everyone to choose their own base flavour.
Choose a flavoured version if everyone likes that flavour. Otherwise, opt for a neutral base and choose toppings separately.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Koopmans
The range includes complete, multigrain, gluten-free and flavoured pancake mixes.
- According to Koopmans, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet needs only water for the batter. The multigrain version includes wheat, rye, oats and barley.
- Features vary by version. According to the product information, the gluten-free mix may contain egg and milk, so always check the pack you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes several pancake mixes, including a wholemeal version.
- AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren lists wholemeal wheat flour and is described by Albert Heijn as vegan and lactose-free.
- The mix contains wheat gluten. The characteristics of the dry mix don’t tell you which ingredients to add to the batter at home.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes a complete pancake mix that you prepare with water.
- The instructions for PLUS Complete mix voor pannenkoeken call for 700 ml of water.
- The same instructions also mention cooking butter or oil for the pan. Read the pack for the full method.
Dr. Oetker
American Pancakes Origineel is designed for smaller pancakes rather than large, thin ones.
- The product information says this version makes 13 to 15 smaller pancakes.
- Preparation calls for 300 ml of milk, 2 eggs and oil. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer different starting points for baking together: a complete shaker bottle, another shaker, a mix with Wholegrains in the product name and an Original version. Choose according to the additions needed, the grain base you prefer and how many pancakes you want to make.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle, 210 g
For a small baking session where the children can help by shaking the bottle. According to the product information, you add 350 ml of water, and the shaker makes 4 to 6 pancakes. If you have dietary requirements, check the current allergen information.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker for families who’d like children to help with mixing. Before buying, check which liquid this version needs and how many pancakes it makes. A shaker doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a mix that only needs water.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
An option if the grain base is an important part of your meal. Read the ingredients to see which flours are used and check what else you need to add. Don’t assume it’s suitable for a dietary requirement based on the product name alone.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A base for a baking session where everyone can choose their own sweet or savoury toppings. Koopmans Pannenkoeken Origineel lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour and rye flour among its ingredients. Also read the preparation instructions and allergen information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
How does a complete pancake mix make preparation easier?
A complete mix can save you measuring out milk and eggs for the batter. According to Koopmans, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet needs only water for the batter. Still, read the cooking instructions: PLUS Complete mix also lists cooking butter or oil.
Is a gluten-free pancake mix also free from milk and egg?
No, you can’t assume that from the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the product information, Koopmans’ mix labelled gluten-free may contain egg and milk, and it’s usually prepared with milk and eggs. Check both points on the current pack.
Can children taste raw pancake batter?
Let children taste a pancake only once it’s fully cooked. Keep raw batter and any utensils that have touched it separate from the food you serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises taking extra care with food safety when young children are involved.
Where can you find the allergen information for a packaged mix?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. Also read the list of ingredients you need to add yourself during preparation.
Does ‘premium’ make a pancake mix more suitable for a special baking session?
Not unless it offers a specific difference that suits your meal. A cinnamon mix adds a distinctive flavour, while a neutral mix gives everyone more freedom to choose their own toppings. Also compare the flours and any additions needed.