Who are these options relevant to?

Group lunch planner

Wants to know how much mix and how many additional ingredients are needed for the group, and can use milk, eggs and cooking fat from the kitchen supplies.

Team with limited preparation time

Wants to set out and measure fewer ingredients. A complete mix may be a good fit, provided it’s clear what else is needed to prepare it.

Planner working around a dietary requirement

Needs to follow the agreed ingredients and preparation method for an individual child. Checking the current label and preventing cross-contact are important.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the group’s dietary requirements. Then work out how many pancakes you need and which ingredients and preparation steps will suit your kitchen.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Quantity for the group Check the pack weight, the stated yield and which ingredients you still need to add. When I’m making pancakes for the whole group, I want to work out in advance how many packs and ingredients I’ll need. This would be the main priority for around 42% of these consumers.
Easy preparation Check whether the mix needs water, or also milk, eggs and cooking fat. When we have limited preparation time, I want to set out and measure as few ingredients as possible. This would be the main need for around 25% of these consumers.
Individual dietary requirement Check the current label and the agreed preparation method; prevent cross-contact during preparation and serving. For a child with an agreed gluten-free diet, I also need to consider the bowl, pan and serving utensils we use. The dietary requirement would determine the choice for around 17% of these consumers.
Multigrain or alternative preparation Check which grains the mix contains and which preparation method is given on the pack. If the menu calls for a multigrain option or preparation with plant-based ingredients, I want to know whether the full recipe is suitable. This menu choice would be the main priority for around 16% of these consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the amount of dry mix

    A pack of plain mix doesn’t tell you how much milk, how many eggs or how much cooking fat you’ll need for the prepared lunch.

    Check the preparation instructions and work out the quantities needed for the whole group.

    Milk, eggs and cooking fat also need to be available when the team is ready to cook.

  • Confusing multigrain with gluten-free

    According to Albert Heijn, AH Multigrain contains wheat, oats, barley and rye. So a multigrain label does not mean it’s suitable for an agreed gluten-free diet.

    For this kind of dietary requirement, use a suitable mix and prevent cross-contact during preparation and serving.

  • Using an old product page as the label

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. Information from an earlier purchase may therefore not apply to the pack you receive.

    For every purchase, read the label on the pack you’re actually going to prepare and follow the individual dietary requirements.

Brands to consider

Albona (ALDI)

ALDI stocks a 400 g Albona plain mix and a multigrain version.

  • Two options to compare with the menu requirements.
  • Read the full allergen information on the chosen pack before use.

PLUS

PLUS offers plain, wholemeal and complete pancake mixes.

  • The complete mix says to add 700 ml of water; you’ll also need butter or oil for cooking.
  • Check the current ingredients and preparation instructions for each variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s own-brand range includes a plain mix and a complete mix.

  • Jumbo Plain lists gluten, oats and wheat.
  • According to the product information, Jumbo Plain may also contain barley, egg and milk; check the label if there’s a dietary requirement.

Albert Heijn

AH Multigrain Mix offers a different blend of grains from a plain mix.

  • Albert Heijn also describes a preparation method for this mix using a plant-based drink and, optionally, an egg replacer.
  • The mix contains wheat, oats, barley and rye, so it isn’t suitable for an agreed gluten-free diet.

Koopmans

Koopmans offers original, complete and gluten-free pancake mixes, among other varieties.

  • According to Koopmans, you only need to add water to the complete mix to make the batter.
  • Koopmans Complete contains wheat, milk and egg. According to the product information, the gluten-free version may contain egg and milk.

Belbake (Lidl)

Lidl stocks Belbake Original Pancake Mix.

  • An original mix to consider for the nursery’s usual preparation method.
  • Check the ingredients, additions and allergen information on the pack before adding the mix to the menu.

Pancake mixes on Joybuy

These Koopmans varieties are particularly relevant if you’re working out the preparation steps and how many packs you’ll need for a group lunch. Check both product labels against the dietary requirements.

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g

This complete mix is a good fit if you want to keep added ingredients to a minimum. Check the preparation instructions, work out how many packs the group will need and read the label if there are any dietary requirements.

View on Joybuy
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g

Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g

The shaker is a handy option for a small batch, with the batter mixed in the pack. Check which ingredients you need to add, how many pancakes one pack makes and what the label says about allergens.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular pancake mix if a child has coeliac disease?

Not for that child’s meal unless you follow the agreed gluten-free preparation method. Koopmans Original, for example, contains wheat and rye, while Jumbo Plain lists gluten, oats and wheat. The Dutch Coeliac Society emphasises that coeliac disease requires a strict gluten-free diet. Agree the meal with the parents or follow the dietary plan, and prevent cross-contact.

Should I check allergens on every new pack?

Yes, read the label on the pack you’re going to use. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product information can change; a product page you checked earlier is no substitute for the current label.

What do I need to add to plain and complete pancake mix?

It varies by product. According to the product information, Koopmans Original needs milk, eggs and butter or oil; Koopmans Complete only needs water for the batter. PLUS Complete says to add water, plus butter or oil for cooking. Read the instructions on the chosen pack before setting out the ingredients for the group lunch.

Can I serve raw batter at lunch?

No, don’t serve raw batter. Follow the mix’s preparation instructions and cook the pancakes through before serving them to the children.