Stock-up shoppers
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, you can choose a plain mix without having to go out and buy those ingredients. Albert Heijn, PLUS, Jumbo and ALDI sell 400 g plain varieties.
Who might find these mixes useful?
Fans of minimal preparation
If you don’t have milk or eggs to hand late at night, look for a complete mix that only requires you to add water to the batter. Also check which cooking fat you’ll need.
Shoppers who need to check the label carefully
If you have specific dietary requirements, the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging are what matter. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, pre-packed foods must show allergen information on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out which ingredients you already have. Then consider how much preparation you’re happy to do and whether the label meets your dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients at home | Check what you need in addition to the mix and see which ingredients you already have in your cupboard. | I want to make pancakes late at night without having to go shopping. For around 42% of consumers, using ingredients they already have is the top priority. |
| Minimal preparation | Check whether water is all you need for the batter and which cooking fat the instructions recommend. | If I start cooking late, I don’t want to have to measure out milk and eggs. Around 33% of consumers give simple preparation the highest priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about traces. | I need to know before buying whether the mix meets my dietary requirements; convenience comes second. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Picking up a plain mix without checking what you need
A late-night snack still takes preparation if you’re short of milk, eggs or cooking fat. For example, the instructions for AH Naturel call for three eggs, 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk and margarine or oil.
Before buying, check which ingredients you have at home and read the instructions for the specific mix.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means you can fry without cooking fat
With the complete mixes described here, you add water to make the batter, but you’ll still need butter or oil for frying.
Check the instructions for both making the batter and frying the pancakes.
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Relying on ‘gluten-free’ alone
A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergens. PLUS’s product information for Koopmans Glutenvrij says that it may contain egg and milk.
Read the full allergen information on the current packaging before choosing.
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Tasting raw batter or leaving cooked leftovers out
The product information for the Koopmans mixes mentioned here says to heat the batter thoroughly. Cooked leftovers also need to be stored carefully.
Cook the pancakes through and cool leftovers quickly. Voedingscentrum recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months.
Brands compared
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona plain mix for anyone looking for a basic option.
- The 400 g plain variety is comparable in pack size with the other basic options mentioned.
- ALDI says the product is available in store; check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack.
PLUS
PLUS sells both a plain mix and a complete mix, each in a 400 g pack.
- With PLUS Complete, you add water to the batter instead of milk and eggs.
- PLUS Naturel requires milk, eggs and butter or oil; you’ll still need cooking fat for the complete variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Naturel is a 400 g mix for anyone who already has the usual extra ingredients at home.
- The preparation instructions spell out exactly what you’ll need for this variety.
- AH calls for three eggs, 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk and margarine or oil.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells a 400 g plain mix alongside other varieties that are prepared differently.
- The product information says Jumbo Naturel makes around twelve servings.
- If you have dietary requirements related to grains, check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Koopmans
Koopmans sells several options, including complete mixes, a shaker bottle and a gluten-free variety.
- The different formats give you a choice between a pack and a shaker bottle.
- For the gluten-free variety, PLUS says that it may contain egg and milk; check the latest label.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake original pancake mix.
- According to Lidl, the pack makes around twelve pancakes.
- Lidl says this product is only available in store.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer different ways to make a late-night snack: a complete mix, a standard mix and a smaller pack. Check each product to see which ingredients you need to add yourself.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
Worth considering if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs for a late-night snack. The pack contains 210 g; check the preparation instructions and what you’ll need for frying.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
A standard mix to consider if you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home. The pack contains 400 g; check the instructions for the quantities you need to add.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A smaller pack to consider if you have water and an egg at home. The pack contains 100 g; read the preparation instructions and check the label if wheat is a concern for you.
Frequently asked questions
When is a plain mix useful for a late-night snack?
A plain mix is handy if you already have the extra ingredients at home. AH Naturel, for example, requires eggs, milk and margarine or oil; check the instructions on the pack you choose.
What does ‘complete’ mean for these pancake mixes?
For the PLUS Complete and Koopmans Compleet mixes mentioned here, you use water for the batter instead of milk and eggs. You’ll still need butter or oil for frying.
What should I check if I need to avoid certain allergens?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, even for a gluten-free mix. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods; PLUS says that Koopmans Glutenvrij may contain egg and milk.
Can I taste pancake batter raw?
Don’t taste the batter from the Koopmans Complete and gluten-free mixes mentioned here raw. The product information says to heat it thoroughly; follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
How should I store leftover pancakes?
Cool cooked pancakes quickly and store them in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. According to Voedingscentrum, they keep for two days in the fridge and three months in the freezer.