If you want to make pancakes just before lunch without adding milk or eggs, choose a complete mix that only needs water. A wholegrain mix is another option if the grains used matter more to you; with a classic mix, you add the milk and eggs yourself. None of these options guarantees a thick pancake that stays firm when cut into generous pieces. Follow the preparation instructions and try your planned filling with one fully cooked pancake first.
You want to make a sweet or savoury pancake, let it cool and cut it into generous pieces. Choose your mix based on the ingredients and preparation that suit your lunch, rather than assuming it will make thick pieces.
If you’re making pancakes shortly before lunch, a complete mix can be handy: according to their product information, Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete only need water for the batter. Check the label, though, as this preparation method says nothing about whether the mix contains milk, egg or wheat.
Compare the product name with the ingredients list if wholegrains are important to you. Multigrain and wholegrain don’t mean the same thing; Voedingscentrum explains that wholegrain products contain more fibre than white flour-based cereal products.
First decide how you want to serve the pancakes and which ingredients you can add. Then compare the grains used and how much you want to make for lunch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving in pieces | Read the cooking instructions and try one pancake with your planned filling before making a larger batch. | I want to be able to take pieces with me or share them without relying on an unproven thickness. For around 33% of consumers, ease of serving comes first. |
| Fewer additions | Check what you need to add to the batter and which cooking fat you’ll need; also read the allergen information. | If I can only cook shortly before lunch, I don’t want to have to sort out milk and eggs as well. Around 25% of consumers prioritise simple preparation. |
| Wholegrain cereals | Compare the ingredients in wholegrain and multigrain mixes; check which flours are specifically listed as wholegrain. | I want to choose my lunch based on the grains used, even if that means adding extra ingredients. For around 25% of consumers, wholegrains are the first consideration. |
| Right-sized quantity | Compare the pack size and, where stated, the number of pancakes you can make with it. | For lunch with others, I want to make enough batter; for myself, I don’t want a bigger pack than I need. Getting the quantity right is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
Using several types of grain doesn’t automatically make a mix wholegrain. According to Albert Heijn, the ingredients list for Koopmans Meergranen starts with 78% wheat flour.
If wholegrain is your main priority, check which flours are labelled as wholegrain on the pack.
According to their product information, Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete only need water for the batter, but the mixes contain wheat, milk and egg.
Distinguish between ingredients already in the mix and those you add yourself. If you have allergies, always check the current label.
A small shaker bottle may suit a light lunch. The Koopmans Origineel shaker bottle described by PLUS makes 4 to 6 pancakes; that may not be enough for every lunch group.
Compare the stated yield with the number of portions you want to make, and check which ingredients you still need to add.
You may need more than one shaker bottle for a larger group.
The preparation instructions for PLUS Naturel and PLUS Complete describe batter that spreads in a thin layer across the bottom of the pan. They don’t guarantee a particular thickness or firmness when cut.
Cook the pancake thoroughly according to the pack instructions, then try one to see whether your chosen filling and cutting method work.
Koopmans offers a classic mix, a complete mix, a multigrain mix and shaker bottles, among other options. The preparation method varies by product.
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren is an own-brand option for anyone wanting to compare the type of flour used.
Jumbo provides product information about Koopmans Origineel as a retailer of the mix, not as its manufacturer.
Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel is a Lidl own-brand product.
Albona is ALDI’s own brand, with options including a plain and a multigrain pancake mix.
PLUS describes plain, complete and wholegrain mixes with different ingredients and preparation methods.
These mixes offer different options for lunch: a complete mix with few additions, classic mixes for adding your own ingredients, and smaller packs. Check the preparation method and quantity for each product individually. None of the product names guarantees thick pancakes that stay firm when cut.
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An option if you want to make batter shortly before lunch without adding milk or eggs. According to Koopmans’ product information for this complete shaker bottle, you add 350 ml of water. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack; simple preparation says nothing about how firm the pancakes will be once cooked.
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A pack to consider when making lunch for several people. Check which ingredients you need to add to the batter, and read the types of flour on the label if wholegrain is essential to you. Don’t assume the mix is entirely wholegrain based on its product name alone.
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The shaker bottle suits anyone wanting to make a small quantity without using a mixing bowl. Before cooking, check which liquid this variant needs: a shaker bottle isn’t automatically a complete mix that only needs water. Also compare the yield with the number of lunch portions you want to make.
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A classic mix for anyone who wants to add their own milk and eggs to the batter. Koopmans says Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; consider your portions and filling to decide whether that’s right for your lunch. Follow the cooking instructions rather than expecting the mix to produce a particular thickness.
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The 100 g pack may be useful if you want to make a smaller quantity of batter. Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and yield on the pack before deciding whether this mix will make enough portions for lunch or suit your planned filling.
No, you don’t need a special mix. For Naturel and Complete, PLUS describes a thin layer of batter spreading across the pan, not a set thickness for lunch portions. Follow the pack instructions and first check whether one fully cooked pancake with your filling is easy to cut.
A complete mix is a good fit when you only want to add water to the batter. According to the product information, this applies to Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete. A regular mix may suit you better if you already have milk and eggs and want to add them yourself. For both types, check the label for ingredients and allergens.
It’s best not to taste raw batter. Voedingscentrum advises against eating raw batter because of the risk of foodborne illness. Cook the pancakes thoroughly before letting them cool and cutting them into pieces.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the specific product. Also look out for any warning about possible traces if cross-contact is a concern for you. Only needing to add water doesn’t mean the dry mix is free from milk or egg.
No, using several types of grain doesn’t mean all the flours are wholegrain. According to Albert Heijn, the ingredients list for Koopmans Meergranen starts with 78% wheat flour. If you want a wholegrain option, compare both the product name and the types of flour listed.
