Bulk buyer
Buying several packs for a large family, neighbourhood meal or event? The number of pancakes each pack makes, along with the milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need, will determine what goes on your shopping list.
Who is this choice important for?
Busy organiser
You’d rather measure out or bring fewer separate ingredients. A complete mix could be a good fit: according to its preparation instructions, PLUS complete mix needs water and cooking fat.
Shopper with a dietary requirement or allergy
You’ll need to check whether the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product are suitable for everyone eating. The name of a standard or wholegrain mix alone isn’t enough to tell you.
What should you look for when shopping?
First, decide how many pancakes you want to make and check how many each pack yields. Then look at the preparation instructions and any dietary requirements, and plan the practical details for the day itself.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Pack size and stated yield per pack; the milk, eggs and cooking fat needed for all the packs together. | When I’m cooking for lots of people, I want to buy enough without ending up with too much left over. Around 33% of consumers put this kind of quantity planning first. |
| Preparation | Whether the mix needs water, or milk and eggs too; how much batter you can prepare for each batch. | For a busy mealtime, I want to measure fewer ingredients and keep the batches manageable. For around 27% of consumers, easy preparation is the most important factor. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current label. | If someone eating needs to avoid certain ingredients, the mix you choose must be suitable for them. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Best-before date, storage instructions and how many packs you’ll need while cooking. | I want to be able to store the packs in good time and make enough batter on the day. For around 20% of consumers, getting everything ready in practice is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Counting only the packs, not the extra ingredients
A standard mix may need milk and eggs for each pack. For example, according to the preparation instructions, one 400 g pack of PLUS plain mix needs 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil. PLUS complete mix needs water and cooking fat.
Work out your ingredient list after you’ve decided how many packs you need, then multiply the quantities in the instructions for your chosen mix.
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Assuming that buying in bulk means one catering-size pack
The supermarket products mentioned here come in 400 g packs. The yield varies by product: Jumbo states that its plain mix makes around 12 portions, while the product information for Koopmans Wholegrains says it makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
Decide how many pancakes you want to make and use the yield on the label of the mix you’re actually buying.
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Choosing a standard mix without reading the label
Standard and wholegrain mixes may contain cereals containing gluten, egg or milk, or carry a ‘may contain’ statement. A complete mix isn’t automatically suitable for someone who needs to avoid these ingredients either.
Check the current label of every product you choose. If anyone eating needs to avoid certain ingredients, take care to prevent cross-contamination between ingredients, pans and kitchen utensils during preparation.
Brands to consider
The varieties mentioned give you an idea of the differences in preparation and pack size that matter. Always check the details for the specific mix you choose.
Koopmans
Offers, among other products, Original, Wholegrains and a 400 g pancake mix labelled gluten-free.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, one pack of Koopmans Wholegrains makes 11 to 13 pancakes and needs 900 ml milk, two eggs and butter or oil.
- The varieties have different ingredients and preparation instructions. If you have a dietary requirement, check the label of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Its plain mix is a standard 400 g pancake mix.
- Jumbo states that each pack makes around 12 portions, which can help you work out how many packs you need.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for this specific product if anyone eating needs to avoid something.
PLUS
Offers both a plain mix and a 400 g complete mix. One of the main differences is which ingredients you need to add.
- PLUS plain mix needs milk, eggs and cooking fat; for its complete mix, PLUS lists water and cooking fat.
- According to the product information, the complete mix contains wheat, milk and egg. Needing to add fewer ingredients doesn’t mean the mix is suitable for every dietary requirement.
Albona
The ALDI brand offers a 400 g wholegrain pancake mix.
- The 400 g pack can be a useful starting point when working out how many packs you’ll need for a group.
- Check the yield and preparation instructions on the pack you choose before calculating the total quantity.
Belbake
The Lidl brand offers a 400 g original pancake mix.
- Lidl states that each pack makes around 12 pancakes, helping you estimate how many packs you’ll need.
- Before buying, check the instructions and ingredients on the pack if the preparation method or a dietary requirement will affect your choice.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
This range includes standard and wholegrain 400 g mixes, as well as smaller shakers for individual batches. Use the yield per pack to work out how many you’ll need for a larger group; the shakers and packs don’t all require the same additional ingredients.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For a larger group, you can plan around the stated yield of 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. The preparation instructions for each 400 g pack call for 900 ml milk, two eggs and butter or oil. The mix contains wheat, oats, rye and barley, among other ingredients. Check the current label if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
This standard mix has a stated yield of 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, giving you a helpful guide for planning quantities. For each 400 g pack, the instructions call for 850 ml milk, two eggs and butter or oil. The mix contains cereals containing gluten, including wheat and rye. Check the current label if anyone eating needs to avoid certain ingredients.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
This shaker is handy for smaller batches: the stated yield is four to six pancakes per pack. According to the instructions, add 400 ml milk to the 175 g shaker and shake for about a minute. You’ll need several shakers to feed lots of people, so check the ingredients and allergens on the label too.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For a small batch, the preparation information for this complete shaker calls for 350 ml water and about a minute of shaking. The 210 g pack is stated to make four to six pancakes, so plan on using several bottles for a larger group. The mix contains wheat, egg and milk. Read the current label if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need one catering-size pack of pancake mix for a large group?
No, you can plan the quantity using several smaller packs instead. The supermarket varieties mentioned here come in 400 g packs. For example, the product information for Koopmans Wholegrains states that each pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Check the yield of your chosen mix to work out how many packs you’ll need.
What do I need to add to a standard pancake mix?
It depends on the product. The preparation instructions for 400 g of Koopmans Original call for 850 ml milk, two eggs and butter or oil; for 400 g of PLUS plain mix, PLUS specifies 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
When is a complete mix a better choice than a standard mix?
A complete mix is a good choice when you want to measure out or bring fewer separate ingredients. According to the instructions, PLUS complete mix needs water and cooking fat, while PLUS plain mix also needs milk and eggs. Be sure to check the allergens: PLUS complete mix contains wheat, milk and egg.
How do I check allergen information when cooking for several people?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current label of every product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly stated on the label. Standard mixes may contain cereals containing gluten, egg or milk, among other ingredients, or carry a ‘may contain’ statement for them. Also take care to avoid cross-contamination between ingredients and kitchen utensils during preparation.
How should I store several packs of pancake mix?
Follow the storage instructions and check the best-before date on each pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a product may sometimes still be usable after this date if the packaging is undamaged and the product looks, smells and tastes fine. Check each pack individually and don’t use any damaged packaging.