Which approach is right for you?

Late-night bakers in a hurry

You want to bake without much preparation. Look for a complete mix that, according to the packaging, only needs water, and check how many pancakes it makes.

Sourdough enthusiasts

You want to bake with real sourdough and can plan ahead. Having a starter ready to use is very different from having to make a new one in the middle of the night.

Shoppers checking grains or allergens

You might be comparing spelt, buckwheat or wholegrain options, or need to avoid certain allergens. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact mix; the grain named on the pack doesn’t tell you everything.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to bake tonight with just a few ingredients, or whether you specifically want to use sourdough. Then compare the preparation instructions and label of the mix you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Minimal preparation Check which ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. If I want to bake something late, I don’t want to find out I’m out of milk or eggs. Being able to get started quickly matters most to around 50% of consumers.
Real sourdough Look for an explicit reference to starter or sourdough; plan ahead if you need to make a new starter. I want to bake with sourdough, even if that means I can’t start spontaneously. Around 30% of consumers prioritise sourdough.
Grains and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, and check separately what you’ll add or put on top. If I’m looking for a particular grain or need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s going into the batter. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a different grain means sourdough

    Spelt, buckwheat, wholegrain and multigrain don’t tell you how a mix was made. So if you specifically want sourdough, choosing a mix based on its flour alone may not meet your needs.

    Check whether the product information or packaging explicitly mentions sourdough or starter, rather than assuming it from the grain.

  • Skipping the label on a complete mix

    ‘Complete’ describes how to prepare the mix, not whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy. For example, Jumbo’s product information lists wheat, milk and egg in its Mix voor Pannenkoeken Compleet.

    Read the current label for the product you’ve chosen, and check the ingredients of anything you add to the batter or put on your pancakes too.

  • Looking only at the pack and not the preparation instructions

    A mix that needs extra ingredients may be less convenient if you don’t have them in the house for a late-night snack. Check how many pancakes it makes too, especially if you only want to make a few.

    Read the preparation instructions before buying and compare them with what you already have at home.

    Depending on the mix you choose, you may also need to have milk or eggs ready.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Offers several types of pancake mix, including a complete option for anyone who wants to add very little.

  • According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water and makes 8 to 10 pancakes per pack.
  • Check the allergen information, and look separately for a sourdough reference if that’s why you’re buying it.

Jumbo

Sells, among other options, plain and complete pancake mixes; preparation instructions vary by product.

  • Jumbo says its complete pancake mix is prepared with water.
  • The ingredients information for this complete mix lists wheat, milk and egg. Check the label on the pack you buy.

Albert Heijn

Offers pancake mixes made with different grains, including spelt and multigrain.

  • According to Albert Heijn, its spelt mix can also be made with plant-based milk.
  • Check the other ingredients needed on the packaging. A spelt label doesn’t mean it’s sourdough.

Smaakt

Jumbo’s range includes an organic buckwheat pancake mix, which is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for buckwheat.

  • Jumbo lists Smaakt Bio Boekweit Pannenkoekenmix in a 400 g pack.
  • Buckwheat and organic don’t mean the mix is made with sourdough. Check separately if that matters to you.

Joybuy products for a quick snack

This product selection is for anyone looking for a complete pancake mix for a late-night snack. Before you decide, check the preparation instructions and look for any mention of sourdough on the packaging.

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g pack

Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g

A complete pancake mix to consider if you don’t want to use lots of separate ingredients for a late-night snack. Pack size: 210 g. Check the packaging to see what you need to add, which allergens are listed and whether the product meets your sourdough requirements, if applicable.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a spelt, multigrain or buckwheat mix also a sourdough mix?

Not necessarily: the type of grain doesn’t prove that the mix was made with sourdough. If that’s what you’re looking for, check for an explicit reference to starter or sourdough.

Can I make pancakes tonight using a new sourdough starter?

Not if you still need to make the starter from scratch: Jumbo says this takes 3 to 6 days. Preparation is different if you already have an active starter; Jumbo’s guidance refers to making sourdough, not to a pancake recipe.

Can I eat Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet batter raw?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet, the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be thoroughly cooked.

How do I check for allergens in a pancake mix?

Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens that must be declared should appear on the label. Also look out for any ‘may contain’ warning and check the ingredients you add yourself.