Families who want to use what they already have
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, you can choose a plain mix without needing to prepare a complete mix. Check how much batter the pack says you can make for your group.
Who are the different mixes suitable for?
Parents who want to keep prep to a minimum
A complete mix or shaker bottle can mean less measuring. Be sure to read the preparation instructions: a complete mix may need cooking fat as well as water, while another shaker mix may need milk.
Families keeping an eye on allergens and school rules
Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the label. If you’re making pancakes for school or an after-school club, ask about their requirements too. ‘Gluten-free’ on its own tells you nothing about whether a product contains egg or milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients you have available and how much preparation you want to do. Then check the grains, allergens and instructions on the specific pack.
Plain mix
Suitable when: you already have milk and eggs at home and want to make the batter yourself.
Bear in mind: PLUS also lists butter or oil as an ingredient needed for its plain mix.
Complete mix
Suitable when: you want to prepare fewer separate ingredients.
Bear in mind: according to PLUS, PLUS Complete still needs water and cooking butter or oil.
Wholemeal mix
Suitable when: you specifically want to choose a mix made with wholemeal grains.
Bear in mind: ingredients and additional requirements vary by product; wholemeal does not mean gluten-free.
Gluten-free mix
Suitable when: a gluten-free mix has been requested for the occasion.
Bear in mind: according to the product information, the Koopmans version at Albert Heijn may contain egg and milk.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Using ingredients you already have | Check which milk, eggs and cooking fat the preparation instructions say you need to add. | When I’m making pancakes for a group, I want to use what I already have at home and avoid unnecessary extra shopping. This is the top priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| Minimal preparation | Check which liquid you need and whether you also have to add cooking fat. | When the children are busy, I want to make batter quickly without lots of measuring. This is the most important consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements; if you’re taking the pancakes to school, ask about the rules there. | When I’m making pancakes for a child or a school event, I need to know whether the ingredients meet the agreed requirements. This check is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal ingredients | Check which grains are listed in the ingredients and what the mix requires for preparation. | For a regular mealtime, I want to choose which grains are in the mix. Around 18% of consumers make this their first consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Only looking at the front of the pack
The product name doesn’t always tell you what else you need to add. According to PLUS, PLUS Naturel requires milk, eggs and cooking fat; PLUS Complete requires water and cooking fat.
Read the preparation instructions before deciding which mix suits what you have at home and your plans.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
Albert Heijn states that the gluten-free Koopmans mix may contain egg and milk.
Check the current label for the specific allergen that matters for the child.
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Making pancakes for school without checking first
Ingredients and potential allergens vary between mixes. Schools and after-school clubs may also have different rules.
Read the label on the pack you’ve bought and check the requirements at the relevant location before packing the pancakes.
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Serving raw batter
The product information for Koopmans Original says that the batter should not be eaten raw and must be cooked thoroughly.
Follow the cooking instructions on the pack you’re using and don’t serve raw batter.
Brands to compare
ALDI / Albona
ALDI lists a 400 g pack of Albona plain mix as a store product.
- An option if you’re looking for a standard own-brand mix.
- Check the label on the pack for ingredients and allergens.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- According to PLUS, Naturel requires milk and eggs, while Complete is made with water and cooking fat.
- The ingredients list for PLUS Volkoren names 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour. Check the additional ingredients required and allergens for this mix too.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers plain, complete and wholemeal versions under its own brand.
- You can compare different preparation methods within the same range.
- The name of the variety is no substitute for checking the ingredients list and preparation instructions.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH mixes and varieties from Koopmans and Dr. Oetker.
- This lets you compare different types of pancake mix side by side.
- Albert Heijn states that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain egg and milk.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers plain, complete, shaker and gluten-free pancake mixes, among other varieties.
- The varieties offer different ways to prepare the batter.
- Check the liquid required and allergens for each variety; ‘gluten-free’ does not automatically mean free from egg and milk.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a store product.
- Lidl says this pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the label in store for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer a choice of standard preparation, a complete mix, a shaker and a variety made with several grains. For a children’s get-together, check the ingredients required, pack size and allergens on each pack.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete mix for anyone who wants to prepare fewer separate ingredients. For this 210 g variety, Joybuy’s product information says to add 350 ml of water; check the cooking instructions and allergens on the pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A standard mix for anyone who wants to make the batter themselves. Check which ingredients you need to add to this 400 g pack; Joybuy’s product information says that the batter should not be eaten raw and must be cooked thoroughly.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The shaker format is an option if you want to do less measuring. Check which liquid is needed for this 175 g pack and whether it makes enough batter for your group.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A variety worth considering if the grains used are important to your choice. Check the ingredients list on this 400 g pack and see what else you need to add during preparation.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
With this 100 g pack, it’s worth checking how much batter you’ll need for your group. Also check the preparation instructions and full allergen information on the label; ‘milk-flavoured’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the product contains.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix should I choose if I already have milk and eggs at home?
A plain mix is a sensible option to consider. PLUS lists milk, eggs and butter or oil as ingredients needed for its plain mix; check the instructions on the pack for any other brand.
When is a complete pancake mix useful?
A complete mix can be useful if you want to prepare fewer separate ingredients. According to PLUS, PLUS Complete requires water and cooking butter or oil; check what’s needed for the mix you’ve chosen before you start cooking.
What does ‘wholemeal’ mean on a pancake mix?
It’s a reason to check which grains are used in the ingredients list, not an indication that the mix is gluten-free. PLUS lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour in its wholemeal mix.
Is a gluten-free mix also free from egg and milk?
Not automatically. Albert Heijn says that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain egg and milk; always check the current label for the child concerned.
What should I check if I’m taking the pancakes to school or an after-school club?
Check the label on the mix you’re using and ask about the rules at the school or after-school club in question. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods; you’ll also need to check the local rules separately.