For King’s Day, start by deciding what you want your pancake mix to offer beyond a plain mix: cinnamon and buckwheat for a distinctive recipe, an organic wholegrain option for that specific product feature, or an all-in-one mix to cut down on separate ingredients. If gluten-free is essential, an explicit gluten-free label takes priority over flavour or convenience. Then compare any ingredients you need to add, the yield and the label on the pack you buy; these vary between options.
For a King’s Day breakfast or brunch, you may want more than a plain base. A mix with cinnamon and buckwheat, or a wholegrain recipe, gives you a clear starting point for adding something different to the table. Just check which ingredients you’ll still need to add yourself.
If you want to measure out as little as possible, the preparation instructions matter more than the festive name on the pack. An all-in-one mix that only needs water, or a shaker bottle with a smaller yield, could be a good fit. Check what each exact option needs: not every shaker bottle calls for the same additions.
If a guest needs to eat gluten-free or avoid other allergens, don’t choose based on words such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘artisan’. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, and take precautions against cross-contact during preparation if your guest needs you to.
First, decide what matters most for your King’s Day table. Then compare only the options that meet that requirement, looking at preparation, yield and ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and recipe | Look at the grains or flavourings listed, and check what else you need to add. According to the product information, Koopmans’ cinnamon and buckwheat option also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. | I want a distinctive flavour for the party table rather than a neutral base. For around 27% of consumers, that recipe is the deciding factor. |
| Preparation and portions | Check whether you need to add water or milk, and how many pancakes the pack makes. An all-in-one mix and a shaker bottle don’t necessarily have the same preparation instructions. | When I’m cooking for a small group, I want to measure out fewer separate ingredients and avoid making an unnecessarily large batch. Convenience comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free options | Look for a gluten-free label on the exact pack and read the current ingredients and allergen information. Also consider how you’ll cook and serve the pancakes. | If someone at the table needs to eat gluten-free, I can’t use a regular wholegrain mix as an alternative. For around 20% of consumers, this requirement is the first thing they look for. |
| Organic and grains | Check the organic label and the grains listed on the pack. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo can only be used on products certified as organic by an approved body. | I’m specifically looking for an organic option or a particular combination of grains, even if I still need to add ingredients myself. For around 20% of consumers, this feature determines their choice. |
The word doesn’t tell you whether a mix is organic, gluten-free or only needs water. The features that matter vary from pack to pack.
Decide why you want a different mix, then check for that feature in the ingredients, preparation instructions or label on the exact pack.
Some packet mixes also need milk, eggs and butter or oil. The stated yield also determines how many packs you’ll need for your group.
Before you shop, check what you need to add and how many pancakes each pack makes. Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Compleet makes 8 to 10 pancakes, with water as the ingredient to add; this doesn’t tell you how other options are prepared.
A mix containing several grains isn’t necessarily gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly identified in the ingredients list on the label.
Check the gluten-free label and the current packaging for your chosen mix. Prevent cross-contact during preparation and serving if the person eating needs you to.
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as available in store only. A product listing doesn’t tell you whether the item will be in your chosen store when you visit.
If you’re counting on one specific option, check availability with the relevant retailer shortly before King’s Day.
These brands offer different types of pancake mix that you can compare by recipe and preparation. The features of one option don’t necessarily apply to the rest of the range.
Koopmans offers plain, wholegrain, cinnamon, all-in-one and gluten-free options, among others. Choose based on the specific pack, not just the brand name.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, wholemeal and wholegrain mixes, giving you a choice of grain recipes to compare.
ALDI describes a 400 g Albona wholegrain mix for anyone looking for a different grain recipe from a plain mix.
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix in a 400 g pack, making around 12 pancakes.
These products suit two King’s Day needs: a small batch with minimal mixing, or a wholegrain mix for a bigger stack. Check what liquid you need to add to each option; a shaker bottle doesn’t automatically mean you only need water.
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A good option for a small batch if you want to add as few separate ingredients as possible: this mix is listed as needing water. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack before use.
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The shaker bottle is handy for a small batch with less mixing. Milk is listed as an ingredient to add for this option, so don’t choose it assuming water will be enough. Check the current label for allergen information.
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This wholegrain option is worth considering if you’re looking for a different grain recipe from a plain mix for your King’s Day table. Bear in mind that you may need to add other ingredients when cooking, and check the grains, preparation instructions and allergens on the pack. Don’t assume from the name that it’s organic or gluten-free.
No, these are separate features. The organic wholegrain mix from Koopmans described by PLUS contains wheat flour and oat flour. If gluten-free is essential, check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the ingredients on the pack you buy.
According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water and makes 8 to 10 pancakes. A shaker bottle can also cut down on mixing, but check the exact option: the Koopmans Shaker Pancakes shown here needs milk.
Don’t assume so. ‘Wholegrain’ describes a recipe, not a gluten-free feature; check the gluten-free label and the packaging for the exact mix. Take precautions against cross-contact when cooking and serving if your guest needs you to.
Read the label on the pack you actually buy. Albert Heijn notes that ingredient, nutritional and allergen information can change, so check the packaging again even if you’ve bought the product before.
Lidl lists this Belbake option as available in store only. Check with Lidl if you want to use it for King’s Day; the product listing doesn’t confirm that it will be in your store at a particular time.
