Who is this choice relevant to?

Buyer mindful of allergens

For a group with individual requirements around gluten, milk or egg, checking the label and the nursery’s food policy comes before choosing a flavour.

Staff member preparing lunch for the group

When preparation time is limited, it’s important to know what needs to be added to the mix and how many pancakes a pack is expected to make.

Menu planner looking to add variety

If you’re looking for a different flavour or grain mix, you can compare variants without assuming that a flavour name means it’s a limited edition.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the requirements of the children who’ll be eating. Once a mix meets those requirements, preparation, flavour and grain content become useful criteria for choosing.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Allergens and nursery requirements Compare the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack with the individual requirements and food policy. If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to make sure the exact mix meets our requirements first. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Preparing food for a group Check what needs to be added to the mix and how many pancakes the pack says it makes; take the size of the pancakes into account. When lunch is busy, I want to be able to prepare the batter and plan for enough pancakes. Around 29% of consumers give practicality the highest priority.
Unusual flavour Check the exact variant and whether it’s available. If you’re looking for a limited edition, make sure it’s explicitly labelled as such and that the stated availability period is valid. For variety on the menu, I’m looking for a flavour that works for lunch, without relying on an unconfirmed limited edition. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Grains and ingredients Compare the ingredients in wholemeal and multigrain variants; check separately that any gluten-containing grains meet the nursery’s requirements. If the nursery wants to use a particular grain mix, I check the ingredients on the exact pack. This is the most important consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a flavour variant is automatically a limited edition

    Koopmans lists speculoos and cinnamon as flavour variants, and Jumbo features a cinnamon variant. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s only available for a limited time.

    Check with the manufacturer or shop whether the exact pack is explicitly being sold as a limited edition, and for how long.

  • Focusing only on convenience when choosing a complete mix

    Adding water makes preparation easy, but it doesn’t tell you whether the mix meets allergen requirements. Product information for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete lists ingredients including wheat, milk and egg.

    Before buying, compare the allergen information on the chosen pack with the requirements for the group.

  • Relying on the ingredients in a previous pack

    The ingredients in a pack may differ from those in one you’ve used before, even if you’re buying the same product again. This is particularly important when children need to avoid certain ingredients.

    When your order arrives, check the label on the variant you’ve actually received.

  • Building a changing shop promotion into a regular lunch menu

    Lidl features changing products during themed weeks. This range isn’t a reliable choice for a lunch that you’ll need to repeat in the same way later.

    Confirm the exact mix and local availability before adding it to your plan, and keep a suitable regular mix as a backup.

Brands and shops to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers a range of pancake mixes, including complete, gluten-free, wholemeal and flavoured varieties.

  • The range includes Speculoos Pannenkoeken and Oma’s Pannenkoeken Met kaneel.
  • A flavour variant isn’t automatically a limited edition; check the allergens on the exact pack.

Albert Heijn

The product information for Koopmans Compleet is a useful example of a mix that only needs water added.

  • The preparation instructions make it easier to plan lunch for a group.
  • According to the product information, this mix contains wheat, milk and egg; check the current label against the children’s requirements.

Jumbo

The online category features several types of pancake mix, including a cinnamon variant from Koopmans.

  • The category is a good starting point for comparing different mixes and packs.
  • A listing in the category doesn’t confirm that a variant is available for a limited time or in stock at a particular shop.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other products, a complete mix and a wholemeal pancake mix, each with separate product information.

  • The complete mix is prepared with water, while the wholemeal variant lists wholemeal wheat and oats as ingredients.
  • Check the allergens on the current pack for both variants. The product information for PLUS Complete also lists milk and egg.

ALDI / Albona

ALDI features an Albona multigrain pancake mix.

  • The multigrain variant is an option to compare in terms of ingredients.
  • Check the full allergen information in store, and don’t assume it’s a limited edition based on the product name.

Lidl

Lidl features changing products during themed weeks, which may be useful if you’re looking for a seasonal flavour.

  • A local themed range can give you a reason to look for a particular variant.
  • Only plan to use a pancake mix once you’ve confirmed the exact product name, label and availability at your local shop.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is pancake mix containing gluten always unsuitable for a nursery?

No, it depends on the individual requirements and the nursery’s food policy. Before using it, check the current pack for any gluten-containing grains and cross-contamination warnings.

Why should I check the label again if I’m buying the same mix?

Ingredients and allergen information can change, so you should check the label on the pack you’re going to use. Don’t rely solely on a previous order or a product image.

Is a complete mix suitable if I only need to add water?

No, the preparation instructions don’t tell you anything about allergens. Product information for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete lists ingredients including wheat, milk and egg; compare the current label with the group’s requirements.

Can you serve raw pancake batter as a taster?

No, don’t serve the batter raw. The product information for Koopmans Compleet says the batter must be thoroughly cooked.

Is a speculoos or cinnamon pancake mix a limited edition?

Not based on the flavour name alone. Koopmans and Jumbo feature these flavour variants; check whether the manufacturer or shop describes the exact mix as a limited edition and gives the relevant availability period.