Fussy late-night bakers
If the person eating them prefers a particular grain base, compare the ingredients in plain, multigrain and wholegrain mixes rather than relying on the name on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone who wants to bake quickly late in the evening
Before you buy, check what the mix needs: water or milk, eggs and cooking fat. That way, you can choose a pack that suits what you already have at home.
Label-conscious eaters
If you have an allergy or want a plant-based preparation, both the dry mix ingredients and the preparation instructions matter. Instructions to use water alone don’t tell you whether the mix contains milk or egg.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the grain base you want, then check what you’ll need to make the batter. Check allergens separately: an easy preparation method doesn’t automatically make a mix suitable for everyone.
| What to consider | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar grain base | Check which flour appears first in the ingredients list; compare a plain mix with a multigrain one if you’re considering several grains. | If flavour is the priority for a fussy eater, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 25% of consumers, a familiar grain base matters most. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check which flours are wholegrain and compare fibre only on the same nutritional basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | If you’re specifically looking for a wholegrain base, you’ll want to know whether the ingredients support that choice. An estimated 25% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Additional ingredients | Read the preparation instructions: do you need water or milk, and do you have to add eggs or cooking fat? | Late in the evening, I want to be able to bake with what I already have at home. For around 25% of consumers, the number of additional ingredients needed is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ information; also check what the preparation instructions ask you to add. | If milk, egg or gluten needs to be avoided, both the mix you choose and the way you prepare it must be suitable. For an estimated 25% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholegrain’
According to Albert Heijn, AH’s multigrain mix contains 74% wheat flour. That composition isn’t the right choice if you’re looking for a completely wholegrain base.
If wholegrain is your priority, check which flours are listed and their percentages in the ingredients list.
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Assuming a complete mix is free from milk and egg
According to PLUS, its Complete mix is made with water, but it contains whey powder and egg powder.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging, even if you don’t need to add milk or egg yourself.
Brands to compare
Koopmans
Original, Wholegrain and Multigrain offer different grain bases to compare within the range.
- For its Wholegrain mix, Koopmans lists 60% wholegrain oat flour and 35% wholegrain wheat flour; wheat flour is the first ingredient in Original.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Multigrain variety contains 78% wheat flour, so it doesn’t have a completely wholegrain flour base.
AH
The own-brand range includes wholegrain and multigrain mixes made with different types of flour.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain wheat flour as an ingredient in AH Wholegrain.
- AH Multigrain contains 74% wheat flour; if you’re looking for a completely wholegrain flour base, don’t choose it based on its name alone.
Jumbo
Jumbo has Plain and Wholegrain pancake mixes to compare.
- According to Jumbo, its Wholegrain mix contains 75% wholegrain wheat flour, 20% wholegrain oat flour and 4.2% wholegrain buckwheat flour.
- Wheat flour is the first ingredient in Plain; check the latest allergen information for both varieties.
PLUS
PLUS offers, among other options, a wholegrain mix and a complete mix that you can compare by preparation method.
- PLUS says its Complete mix is prepared with water; its Wholegrain mix contains 75% wholegrain wheat flour and 20% wholegrain oat flour.
- According to PLUS, the Complete mix contains milk and egg ingredients, despite being prepared with water.
ALDI / Albona
According to ALDI Netherlands, Albona offers plain and multigrain pancake mixes.
- The two names give you a starting point for choosing the grain base you want.
- Read the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack before choosing either variety.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl Netherlands lists a 120 g Belbake multigrain pancake mix.
- The product name makes it clear that this is a multigrain variety.
- Check the pack to see which grains it contains and what you need to prepare it; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholegrain’.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes offer different options for a late-night snack: a complete mix, a shaker, a multigrain variety and a mix that needs water and egg. Check the label and preparation instructions before making your choice.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
An option if you want fewer separate ingredients to get ready for a late-night snack. Before use, check what you need to add and the ingredients in the mix; a complete mix isn’t automatically free from milk or egg.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
The shaker pack could be a good choice if you want to mix the batter in the pack for a late-night snack. Check which liquid you need to add and, if you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergens on the label.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
Worth considering if the grain base is an important part of your choice. Check the ingredients list to see which flours are wholegrain; don’t assume this from the variety name alone.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu High-Calcium Pancake Mix with Milk Flavor, 100 g
Consider this mix if you’re looking for one that’s prepared with water and egg. Check that you have both to hand and read the ingredients; the variety name alone doesn’t tell you whether the mix is suitable for an allergy or dietary requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain pancake mix the same as wholegrain pancake mix?
No: ‘multigrain’ means that several grains have been used, not that all the flour is wholegrain. For example, Albert Heijn lists 74% wheat flour in AH Multigrain, so compare the flours on the label.
Can I make a dry mix using a plant-based method without milk or egg?
Yes, if the mix’s instructions include that method and you use the suggested alternatives. AH Wholegrain offers a plant-based preparation option; also check the dry mix’s ingredients and allergens separately.
Is a complete mix suitable for someone with a milk or egg allergy if you only add water?
You can’t tell from the preparation method alone. According to PLUS, its Complete mix is prepared with water, but it contains whey powder and egg powder; if you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
What should I get ready to make pancakes late in the evening?
It depends on the mix: check whether you need to add water or milk, eggs and cooking fat, and make sure you have a frying pan. PLUS says its Complete mix needs water and butter or oil for cooking, while a standard mix may need different additions.