Which mix is right for you?

Sweet snack fans

If you want a dessert-style pancake without relying mainly on toppings for flavour, look for a mix with flavour already added. Koopmans Speculoos is one option. Just check that you have the milk, egg and cooking fat it requires.

Quick cooks with limited ingredients

If you don’t want to add milk or eggs to the batter, a complete mix that only needs water is a better fit for your cupboard. Koopmans says this is the case for Pannenkoeken Compleet; you’ll still need a pan and cooking fat.

Shoppers who need to check the label

If you need to keep an eye on ingredients or allergens, check the specific pack before buying. Albert Heijn’s product information for Koopmans complete pancake mix lists wheat, milk, egg and rye, among other ingredients, and includes a warning about barley and oats.

What should you look for when choosing?

For shoppers in the Netherlands choosing pancake mix for a late-night snack, it comes down to what matters most: built-in flavour, fewer extra ingredients or knowing exactly what’s in the mix.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important to?
Unusual flavour Check which flavour is in the mix. If you’re looking for a limited edition, look for an explicit mention on the current packaging or product page. If I want a dessert-style pancake without toppings, I look for a mix with flavour already added. This is the deciding factor for around 33% of shoppers.
Less preparation Compare what you need to add to the batter and what you need for cooking. A complete mix and a shaker bottle don’t necessarily require the same ingredients. When I get home late, I don’t want to have to find milk or eggs first. Around 42% of shoppers prioritise keeping preparation to a minimum.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in this mix before I start cooking. For around 25% of shoppers, checking the label is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming an unusual flavour means it’s a limited edition

    Speculoos is a distinctive flavour, but that doesn’t mean the mix is only available for a limited time.

    If you specifically want to buy a limited or seasonal edition, look for an explicit mention on the current packaging or product page. If there isn’t one, judge the mix on its flavour and preparation instead.

  • Forgetting the ingredients you need to add

    A speculoos mix that requires milk and egg calls for different cupboard staples from a complete mix that only needs water. You’ll also need a pan and cooking fat to make the pancakes.

    Read the preparation instructions before you choose, especially if you won’t be able to pop out for anything extra late at night.

  • Confusing a product listing with availability

    A product shown online may not be available at your chosen branch. For example, PLUS’s Koopmans Speculoos page displays a message about local unavailability.

    Check your branch or delivery area just before you shop, and decide which other flavour or mix would also work for you.

  • Skipping the label and preparation instructions

    Ingredients and allergens vary from one mix to another. Albert Heijn also states that the batter for Koopmans complete pancake mix shouldn’t be eaten raw and must be heated thoroughly.

    Check the packaging you buy and follow the preparation instructions for that specific mix.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers pancake mixes with different flavours and preparation methods, including Speculoos and Pannenkoeken Compleet.

  • Speculoos has flavour already added, while Koopmans says you only need to add water to the batter for Pannenkoeken Compleet.
  • Check the extra ingredients and availability for each variety. A flavoured option isn’t automatically a limited edition.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes its own-brand AH mixes as well as varieties from other brands.

  • The AH own-brand range includes options such as plain, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and spelt.
  • Check the current product page and your shop for the variety you want to buy. A listing in the range doesn’t mean it’s a limited edition.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online range features its own-brand mixes alongside pancake mixes from other brands.

  • The own-brand range includes plain, complete and wholemeal options, so you can compare the preparation method and ingredients for each variety.
  • Don’t assume that an unusual variety in the range is a limited edition.

PLUS

PLUS offers its own pancake mixes, a shaker bottle and varieties from Koopmans.

  • The PLUS shaker bottle lets you mix the batter in the packaging.
  • For its plain shaker bottle, PLUS says to add milk and use the mixed batter straight away. Also check availability at your shop.

Albona

Albona is an ALDI baking brand with pancake mixes including plain and multigrain varieties.

  • The varieties mentioned give you a choice between plain and multigrain.
  • For the pack you choose, check the ingredients, preparation method and whether it’s explicitly marked as a limited edition.

Belbake

Belbake is a Lidl baking brand with an original pancake mix.

  • Lidl states that this mix comes in a 400 g pack and makes around 12 pancakes.
  • Lidl says this product is ‘in store only’. Check the label and availability at your branch.

Pancake mixes at Joybuy

These mixes are options if you want to make pancakes late at night and are mainly looking at flavour or what else needs to be added to the batter. Check separately for a limited-edition label on the current packaging or product page.

Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet, 210 g pack

Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet, 210 g

A handy option for a late-night snack if you’d rather add water than extra milk or eggs to the batter. Check the preparation instructions, the allergens on the packaging and whether it’s explicitly marked as a limited edition.

View at Joybuy
Xiaoyeqingzhu pancake mix with milk flavour, 100 g pack

Xiaoyeqingzhu pancake mix with milk flavour, 100 g

An option if you’re looking for a snack mix with a stated milk flavour. Bear in mind that you’ll need to add an egg as well as water when preparing it. Also check the current ingredients label and whether it’s marked as a limited edition.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is speculoos-flavoured pancake mix automatically a limited edition?

No. The flavour doesn’t mean the mix is only available for a limited time. If that’s why you’re buying it, look for an explicit limited or seasonal edition label on the current packaging or product page.

Which pancake mix doesn’t need extra milk or egg in the batter?

A complete mix that only needs water fits the bill: Koopmans says this is the case for Pannenkoeken Compleet. You’ll still need a pan and cooking fat to make the pancakes.

Can I save batter from a shaker bottle for later?

Not with the PLUS plain shaker bottle. Its product instructions say to use the batter straight after mixing it with milk. If you’re using another shaker bottle, check the instructions on its packaging.

Where can I find allergen information when buying pancake mix online?

According to Ondernemersplein, mandatory label information for pre-packed food must also be available online. Check the allergen information for the specific mix before ordering, and check the packaging when your product arrives.

Can I taste pancake batter raw?

Don’t do this with Koopmans complete pancake mix: Albert Heijn’s product information says the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be heated thoroughly. For other mixes, follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.