Host catering for fussy eaters
If your guests have different tastes, you’ll want a base that works with both sweet and savoury toppings. Plain mix is a good starting point; you could also offer a wholemeal version for guests who prefer it.
Which mix is right for you?
Shopper keeping an eye on fibre and ingredients
You want to be able to see which types of flour have been used and how much fibre the mix contains. Compare nutritional values on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g of prepared product, and bear in mind that the taste and texture may be different.
Cook short on preparation time
You want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible for the celebration. For a complete mix or shaker bottle, check what else you need to add and how many pancakes one pack makes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which taste and ingredients will suit your guests. Then check the instructions and yield for the exact pack, so you know how much you’ll need for your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and toppings | Check whether the mix is plain or wholemeal, and read the label to see which types of flour it contains. | If not everyone at the table likes the same flavours, I want a base that works with a variety of toppings. Around 40% of consumers prioritise taste appeal when making this choice. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g on the same preparation basis; ‘multigrain’ does not mean the same as ‘wholemeal’. | If you’re deliberately looking for a mix with whole grains, you’ll want to assess its ingredients, even if the pancakes taste or feel different. For around 30% of consumers, ingredients come first. |
| Preparation and yield | Read what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack is stated to make according to the instructions. | If I need to cook for a group quickly on King’s Day, I want to know how many packs and extra ingredients I’ll need. This practical convenience is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Counting only the number of packs
A standard mix may call for milk, eggs and cooking fat, while a complete mix may need different additions. The stated yield also varies from pack to pack.
Read the instructions before you shop, then work out how many packs and extra ingredients you’ll need based on the expected number of guests.
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Assuming wholemeal and multigrain mean the same thing
A multigrain name doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre the mix contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain products as products made from the entire grain kernel.
Check the ingredients for the exact mix and compare nutritional values per 100 g on the same preparation basis.
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Guessing allergens from the mix’s name
The wholemeal varieties reviewed list wheat or other gluten-containing grains. A complete shaker bottle may also contain milk and egg, even if you only need to add water.
Ask your guests which allergens they need to avoid and check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers Original, Wholemeal, Complete and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others. Compare the varieties by their ingredients and what you need to add, not just by brand name.
- According to Koopmans, its Wholemeal mix contains wholemeal oat, wheat and buckwheat flour, and one pack makes 13 to 15 pancakes.
- The standard Wholemeal mix requires milk and eggs; the Complete shaker bottle reviewed contains milk and egg.
AH
AH offers both a plain and a wholemeal mix, making it easy to compare two varieties from the same own-brand range.
- Albert Heijn lists 2.9 g of fibre per 100 g of prepared product for its Wholemeal mix and around 10 pancakes. Its Plain mix contains 1.6 g of fibre on the same basis and makes around 12 pancakes.
- The standard preparation instructions reviewed call for milk and eggs. If you have allergies, also check the ingredients on the pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers plain, wholemeal and complete varieties. When choosing, look at the difference between what the mix contains and what else you’ll need to prepare it.
- Jumbo states that its 400 g Wholemeal mix contains, among other ingredients, 75% wholemeal wheat flour.
- The ingredients in the Wholemeal variety don’t automatically apply to the plain or complete versions; always read the label on the product you choose.
Belbake
Belbake offers a multigrain pancake mix, among other products. The name ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains.
- Lidl Netherlands lists Belbake Multigrain in a 120 g pack.
- Before comparing it with a wholemeal or plain mix, check the ingredients, nutritional values and additional ingredients required on the pack.
PLUS
PLUS has a wholemeal pancake mix under its own brand. When choosing, check the ingredients, yield and instructions on the current pack.
- The own-brand variety listed by PLUS is sold as wholemeal pancake mix in a 400 g box.
- Ingredients and product information can change, so check the latest label, especially if any guests need to avoid allergens.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer options if, when making pancakes for King’s Day, you’re mainly considering the number of preparation steps, the ingredients or the yield per pack. The product name alone won’t tell you whether a mix suits all your guests’ tastes or dietary requirements.
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Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix, 210 g
A shaker bottle for anyone who wants to measure out fewer separate ingredients. The product description says to add water and states that one bottle makes 4–6 pancakes; work out how many bottles you’ll need for a group.
The ingredients list includes wheat, milk and egg. If you have allergies, check the latest label.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
Consider this mix if you also want to take smaller amounts of wholemeal flour in the ingredients into account, but don’t assume the name Wholegrains means the mix is predominantly wholemeal. The listed ingredients start with wheat flour; wholemeal oat flour and wholemeal barley flour are each listed at 4%.
The preparation instructions given call for milk, eggs and butter or oil. If you’re cooking for guests with allergies, check the latest label.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A classic option to consider if you want to offer sweet and savoury toppings. The product description says one pack makes 11–13 pancakes; the name Original alone doesn’t tell you what your guests will like.
The preparation instructions given call for milk, eggs and butter or oil. Check the allergen information on the pack.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
With this 100 g pack, the yield per pack matters if you’re cooking for a group, so check it before working out how many packs you’ll need. The preparation instructions given call for water and one egg.
The product information lists wheat. If you have allergies, check the latest label. Assess nutritional values using the nutritional information on the pack, rather than a claim in the product name.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal pancake mix the right choice for every King’s Day gathering?
No, it depends on what your guests want to eat and which ingredients matter to you. Choose a wholemeal variety if you specifically want whole grains and the taste and texture suit you; if you’re cooking for fussy eaters, you could also offer a plain option. To compare fibre, check the nutritional information for the exact packs on the same preparation basis.
How many pancakes does one pack make?
It varies by mix and preparation method. Albert Heijn states that AH Wholemeal makes around 10 pancakes and AH Plain around 12; according to Koopmans, its Wholemeal mix makes 13 to 15 pancakes. Use the yield stated on the pack you buy to work out how much you’ll need for your guests.
Do you need milk and eggs for every pancake mix?
No, the additional ingredients vary by product. The standard AH mixes reviewed call for milk and eggs, while the instructions for a Koopmans Complete mix reviewed say to add water only. That doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the mix itself: the Koopmans Complete shaker bottle reviewed contains milk and egg.
Where can you check the allergens in a pre-packed pancake mix?
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly and accurately listed on the label of pre-packed foods. Also look out for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens if that’s relevant to any of your guests.
Does everyone get the day off on King’s Day?
No. King’s Day falls on 27 April and is an official public holiday according to the Dutch government, but not everyone has the day off. So base the number of pancakes you make on the guests who are actually coming.