Who is this choice important to?

Lunch-makers looking for wholemeal options

You want to make pancakes for lunch and start by checking the grains in the mix. A wholemeal option is a better fit for what you’re looking for than a flavour name alone.

Fans of seasonal flavours

You’re looking for a change with a limited-time flavour. Whether you can choose it also depends on availability at your shop and the ingredients listed on the packaging.

Shoppers who check for allergens

Before using the mix, you check which allergens it contains or may contain. You also consider any ingredients you add yourself, such as milk or eggs.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the grain base, allergens or a limited-time flavour matters most to you. Then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g of dry mix isn’t directly comparable with per 100 g of prepared pancakes.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Wholemeal base Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and whether the amount of wholemeal flour is stated. Only compare fibre content on the same preparation basis. I want a clearly wholemeal base for my lunch, not just a mix containing several types of grain. For around 50% of shoppers, a wholemeal base is the deciding factor.
Allergens and preparation Read the allergen information and preparation instructions, and check what you’ll be adding to the batter yourself. If I need to watch out for allergens, I want to be able to assess both the mix and anything I add myself. Around 30% of shoppers make this their priority.
Seasonal flavour Check availability at your shop, and read the ingredients and nutritional information for that specific variant. I want to try a limited-time flavour for a change, provided I can buy it. For around 20% of shoppers, this choice of flavour comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means entirely wholemeal

    Multigrain means that several types of grain have been used; it doesn’t tell you how much of the grain is wholemeal. Jumbo lists wheat flour and smaller amounts of wholemeal oat and barley flour among the ingredients in Koopmans Multigrain.

    Is wholemeal your main reason for choosing a mix? Check the types of flour and any percentages in the ingredients list.

  • Assuming a seasonal flavour is an obvious choice for lunch

    A limited-time variant may be discontinued. Jumbo listed Koopmans Speculoos as no longer part of its online range, and the variant wasn’t available at the PLUS shop we checked. This doesn’t tell you what’s in stock at every other shop.

    Check availability just before you buy, and assess the flavour variant’s nutritional information separately from that of a regular mix.

  • Comparing only the dry mix

    Milk, eggs and cooking fat that you add yourself all contribute to the finished pancakes. Nutritional information may also refer to the dry mix or the prepared product.

    Check the preparation instructions, and only compare nutritional values once you know what the stated amount refers to.

  • Guessing allergens from the name of the mix

    A name such as wholemeal or multigrain doesn’t tell you which allergens are present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods.

    Read the current allergen information, including any warnings about possible presence, and check the ingredients you add yourself.

Brands to compare

These brands offer different types of pancake mix. Compare the specific variant and its label, not just the brand name.

Koopmans

The range includes wholemeal, multigrain, gluten-free and flavoured options.

  • Koopmans describes its Wholemeal mix as made from wholemeal flours; with the Multigrain mix, you can compare the individual types of flour.
  • Each flavoured variant has its own ingredients list and nutritional information. For a limited-time flavour, check current availability too.

PLUS

The own-brand range includes wholemeal, complete and bottle mixes, with different ingredients and preparation methods.

  • PLUS states that its wholemeal mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour. For its complete mix, PLUS says to prepare it with water and cooking fat.
  • Don’t choose based on convenience alone: check the ingredients, allergens and instructions on the packaging for each variant.

Albona

ALDI lists an Albona multigrain baking mix for pancakes.

  • The product description makes clear that it’s a multigrain option.
  • If you want to compare this variant for fibre or allergens, check the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.

Belbake

Lidl lists an original Belbake pancake mix in a 400 g pack, making around 12 pancakes.

  • The stated pack size and yield help you plan how much to make.
  • Compare the mix using the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging; an original variant isn’t necessarily wholemeal.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a limited-edition pancake mix automatically a good choice for my lunch?

No. A limited-time flavour doesn’t in itself tell you anything about its nutritional value. Read the ingredients and compare things such as sugars and fibre on the same preparation basis. Also check whether the variant is available at your shop.

How can I tell if pancake mix has a wholemeal base?

Check the ingredients list and see whether the amount of wholemeal flour is stated. For example, PLUS says its wholemeal pancake mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour; these percentages apply to this specific mix.

Where can I check for allergens?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging, and remember to consider any ingredients you add yourself. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods.

Can I keep pancake batter once it’s been mixed?

Follow the instructions for the mix you’re using. PLUS says its plain bottle mix should be used straight after mixing with milk and that the batter can’t be stored. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other mixes.

Can I taste the batter raw?

It’s best not to taste raw batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw batter can make you ill, so cook the pancakes before eating them.