Lunch-makers looking to keep their shopping list short
You want to make pancakes at home and check which ingredients you already have for a standard mix. That way, you won’t just rely on the box and overlook the need for milk, eggs or cooking fat.
Who are these options for?
Home cooks who want to keep preparation simple
You don’t want to measure out several ingredients or mix batter in a bowl for every lunch. A complete mix or shaker bottle is worth considering, as long as the quantity suits what you want to make.
Shoppers checking grains and allergens
You might be looking for a mix with wholegrains, or need to check whether the label lists wheat, egg or milk. The name of the variety alone won’t tell you enough.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what you want to make for lunch and which ingredients you already have. Then check the quantity in the pack, the preparation method and, if needed, the ingredients list.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients you need | Compare what you need to add to the mix with what you already have at home. | If I already have milk and eggs, I want to be able to use them for lunch. Around 36% of consumers rank this as their top consideration. |
| Easy preparation | Check whether the mix calls for water and whether you need to make the batter in a bowl. | I want to make pancakes without having to get several ingredients ready first. For around 29% of consumers, ease of preparation comes first. |
| Grains and allergens | Read which grains and allergens are listed on the current packaging. | When choosing, I want to know which grains the mix contains and which allergens are listed on the label. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Small batch | Check the pack size and the stated yield. | For a lunch with only a few people, I don’t want to make more batter than I need. Around 14% of consumers put portion size first. |
Common mistakes
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Forgetting what you need to add to a standard mix
A boxed mix doesn’t always need just water. For example, PLUS lists milk, eggs and butter or oil for its 400 g plain mix.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop, and check which ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
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Choosing a shaker bottle without checking the yield
A shaker bottle can save you mixing everything in a bowl, but the quantity still needs to suit your lunch. Joybuy’s product information says the Koopmans Schudfles Compleet makes 4 to 6 pancakes.
Check the stated yield if you’re making pancakes for several people.
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Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free
PLUS’s wholegrain mix contains wheat and oats. So, a wholegrain claim doesn’t mean the mix is suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
Check the grains, allergen information and any ‘gluten-free’ claim on the current packaging.
Brands to consider
Albona
ALDI sells a 400 g plain pancake baking mix under its Albona brand.
- Worth a look if you’re after a standard boxed mix.
- Check the packaging to see what else you need to add to this variety.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, wholegrain and complete mixes, each with different preparation instructions.
- PLUS states that its wholegrain mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.
- The plain mix calls for milk, eggs and cooking fat; PLUS says to use water and cooking fat with the complete mix. Check which variety you’re buying.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an original mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle version, among other options.
- Koopmans says a pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes, while Pannenkoeken Compleet makes 8 to 10.
- The ingredients you need to add vary by variety, so check the instructions on the pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, complete, multigrain and wholegrain mixes.
- You can compare different types of mix within the same own-brand range.
- Read the product information for the variety you choose; the category name won’t tell you which ingredients you need to add.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes are for making pancakes at home. The selection includes both mixes for standard pancakes and a mix for Korean pancakes, so choose according to the preparation method and the dish you want to make.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A shaker bottle worth considering if you want to make a small batch for lunch with minimal mixing. Check the preparation instructions and, for allergen information, the current packaging.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
Worth a look if the types of grain in your lunch mix matter to you. Check the label for the exact ingredients, anything you need to add and allergen information.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
A standard boxed mix for making pancakes at home for lunch. Before you buy, check which ingredients you’ll need to add to this pack.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
The 100 g pack may be worth a look if you’re after a small quantity of mix. Check the preparation instructions, yield and ingredients on the pack you choose.
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Chung Jung One Korean Crispy Pancake Flour Mix 500 g
This mix is designed for crispy Korean pancakes, making it a good fit for a Korean-style lunch rather than if you’re expecting a standard Dutch pancake. Check the preparation instructions and the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Which pancake mix should I choose if I don’t have many ingredients at home?
Look for a complete mix if you don’t want to add milk and eggs to the batter. PLUS says to use water and cooking fat with its complete mix. Check the label too: what’s in the dry mix is a separate question from what you need to add yourself.
Is a wholegrain mix suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume so based on the name: PLUS’s wholegrain mix contains wheat and oats. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘gluten-free’ claim on the current packaging.
Where can I find allergen information for pancake mix?
Check the label on the pack you plan to use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on mandatory allergen labelling on food products. Always check the information for the variety you choose.
Can I take homemade pancakes with me for lunch?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rolled-up pancakes are an option for eating on the go. Decide how you’ll transport and store them before you leave, and check the labels of the ingredients you use for allergen information.