Settings following a confirmed gluten-free diet
For buyers planning a pancake lunch for a child with a confirmed gluten-free diet. Check not only the mix, but also the ingredients to be added and the preparation arrangements.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Teams looking for a wholegrain base
For teams looking to serve pancakes as an alternative lunch option and wanting to check which grains the mix contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain cereal products as containing more fibre than comparable products made with refined flour.
Teams short on preparation time
For staff who want to make batter using just a few additional ingredients. A complete mix may be a good option, provided its ingredients and allergens are suitable for the group.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the children’s dietary requirements, then compare the grain base, preparation and quantity needed. The word ‘premium’ alone tells you nothing about these features.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the current label, and also check what else the recipe requires and how cross-contamination is prevented. | If a child has a confirmed dietary requirement, I need to know whether both the mix and its preparation are suitable. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain base | Check the order of ingredients, the proportion of wholemeal flour and the nutritional information per 100 g or per serving on a like-for-like basis. | For a varied lunch, I want to be able to see whether the mix genuinely contains wholegrains. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation and group size | Compare the ingredients you need to add with the stated yield per pack. | When there’s little time to prepare lunch, I want to know how many steps and packs are needed. This matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Purchasing and availability | Check the pack size, any extra ingredients needed and availability from your usual supplier. | If I’m buying for a regular group, I want to avoid a pack size or purchasing option that doesn’t fit the schedule. This is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘just add water’ means allergen-free
According to Koopmans, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet only needs water for preparation. However, the variant we reviewed also contains milk and egg ingredients, as well as gluten-containing grains.
Check the ingredients in the dry mix before weighing up how convenient it is to prepare.
-
Checking only the front of a gluten-free mix
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether milk and egg are suitable for the child’s dietary plan, or how to prepare the pancakes without unwanted cross-contamination.
Check the full recipe and make sure preparation follows the requirements for each child concerned.
According to the recipe, the Koopmans gluten-free mix we reviewed also requires milk and eggs.
-
Treating ‘premium’ as a guarantee of quality
Words on the front of a pack are no substitute for comparing ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and preparation instructions.
Decide which specific feature matters for this lunch, then compare the current packaging on that basis.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Offers a range that includes standard, complete, wholegrain and gluten-free pancake mixes.
- According to Koopmans, you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet.
- The complete mix we reviewed contains milk and egg; the recipe for the gluten-free version, on the other hand, calls for milk and eggs. Always check the specific variant you choose.
Albert Heijn huismerk
Offers, among other options, plain, complete and wholegrain varieties.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Naturel 200 g comes in a shaker bottle and requires milk. It makes around 4 to 6 pancakes.
- The Naturel variety we reviewed contains egg and wheat. Check the current packaging before choosing it for a group.
Jumbo huismerk
Offers standard plain and complete pancake mixes.
- For the Naturel 400 g mix we reviewed, Jumbo lists wheat, buckwheat and wholegrain oats among the ingredients.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains gluten, oats and wheat, and may also contain egg and milk.
PLUS huismerk
Offers both standard and explicitly wholegrain pancake mixes.
- For the Wholegrain mix we reviewed, PLUS lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.
- The PLUS mixes we reviewed contain wheat and oats and may also contain egg and milk. Check the label on the pack you choose.
Albona
ALDI’s own brand, with standard and multigrain pancake mixes.
- According to ALDI, the Naturel mix we reviewed is prepared with milk and eggs.
- Check the ingredients on the physical pack against the group’s dietary requirements.
Belbake
Lidl’s own brand, with a standard pancake mix called Origineel.
- For the 400 g pack we reviewed, Lidl states a yield of around 12 pancakes.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before using this mix for children with dietary requirements.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer a range of ways to prepare a pancake lunch: a complete mix, a multigrain variety, a shaker and a standard base mix. Check the current label and the ingredients required before deciding which pack is right for your group.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
Consider this complete mix when keeping extra ingredients to a minimum is important. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack before use.
Pack weight: 210 g. Work out how many packs you’ll need for the group.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
Consider this mix if you want to compare different grains, but don’t assume from the name that all the flour is wholegrain.
Pack weight: 400 g. Check the ingredient proportions, allergens and ingredients to be added on the label.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker pack may suit a smaller batch; compare the yield with the number of children.
Pack weight: 175 g. Check which liquid you need and which allergens are listed on the pack.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
Consider this standard base mix if you want to add the required ingredients yourself and it suits the dietary requirements.
Pack weight: 400 g. Check the recipe, allergens and yield per pack before buying for the group.
Frequently asked questions
Is a complete pancake mix suitable for someone with a milk or egg allergy?
Not just because it says ‘complete’. According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Compleet only requires water, but the variant we reviewed contains milk and egg ingredients. Check the allergens on the exact pack.
Can a gluten-free mix be used for the whole group without further checks?
Only if the ingredients and preparation suit the dietary requirements of every child concerned. Koopmans markets the gluten-free mix we reviewed for people with coeliac disease, but the recipe also calls for milk and eggs, according to the brand.
How should I keep track of allergen information for lunch?
Keep the current product information and record which mix and added ingredients are being used. Check these details against the recorded dietary requirements and the setting’s procedures. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides an allergen checklist for this purpose.
Does pancake batter need to be cooked all the way through?
Yes. Follow the cooking instructions and don’t serve the batter raw. For the products we reviewed, Koopmans and Albert Heijn both state that the pancakes should be cooked through.
Is a wholegrain mix automatically the right choice for lunch?
No. A wholegrain base is just one part of the decision: the ingredients must also meet the dietary requirements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than comparable products made with refined flour. Also consider how pancakes fit into a varied menu.