Who might each option suit?

Anyone who wants to prepare the meal easily

If you have little time for extra shopping or measuring out ingredients, the difference between a complete mix and a basic mix matters. Koopmans says you only need to add water to its Compleet mix. With a shaker bottle, you’ll also want to consider how many pancakes you plan to make.

Anyone looking for an organic or grain-based option

If the mix’s ingredients are a key part of your choice, organic and multigrain options are worth comparing. Check which grains each pack contains and what else you need to add to the batter; these features vary between products.

Anyone catering for allergies

If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, checking the label on the exact mix takes priority over convenience or grain choice. Also check the milk, eggs and any other ingredients you add to the recipe. If you’re serving prepared pancakes to others, keep the allergen information for the whole dish, including toppings, to hand.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether anyone needs to avoid particular ingredients. Then compare what you need to add to the mix, how many pancakes you’ll need and whether the grain content matters for this meal.

What to consider What to check before buying Who this matters most to
Ease of preparation Which ingredients you need to add and whether the pack suits the way you plan to prepare the pancakes. If I’m cooking for a group, I want to make the batter without measuring out lots of separate ingredients. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens The up-to-date ingredients and allergen information, any cross-contact information, and everything you add yourself. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to make sure the mix and the finished recipe are suitable. This is the main concern for around 31% of consumers.
Grain or organic options Which grains the specific product contains, whether the pack carries an organic certification mark and what else the recipe requires. For a special meal, I may want to choose a different grain blend or an organic mix. Around 15% of consumers prioritise these product features.
Yield and portion size The number of pancakes listed per pack and how many packs you’ll need for your group. For a small group, I don’t want to make more than I need; for a larger group, I need to make sure there’s enough batter. The right yield is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers.

‘Complete’ describes how a mix is prepared, not whether it’s free from allergens. Koopmans says its Compleet mix only needs water, while its Origineel mix calls for milk, eggs and butter. A multigrain mix isn’t automatically gluten-free either: according to the manufacturer, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat and oats.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘premium’ means it’s suitable for a particular diet

    Organic, multigrain, complete and gluten-free describe different features. For example, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat and oats, so it isn’t a substitute for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.

    Decide which features are essential for your guests, then read the label on the product you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming a mix that takes water contains no milk or eggs

    Needing to add only water doesn’t tell you which ingredients are already in the mix. Koopmans lists milk and egg ingredients in its Compleet mix.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack, even if the preparation instructions mention only one addition.

  • Choosing a shaker bottle without checking the yield

    A shaker bottle can be handy for making a small batch, but you may need several packs for a larger group. Albert Heijn lists a yield of 4 to 6 pancakes for the Koopmans Schudfles Compleet.

    Work out how many pancakes you want to make, then compare the stated yield per pack.

Brands to compare

Koopmans

Offers several pancake mixes, including Origineel, Compleet, an organic multigrain mix and a gluten-free option.

  • Koopmans says you only need to add water to Compleet; for Origineel, you add milk, eggs and butter yourself.
  • Check allergens and required additions for each product. Koopmans says its explicitly gluten-free option meets the AOECS standard; that label does not apply to the other mixes listed here.

Homemade

Offers a complete mix for anyone who wants to make the batter with water.

  • Albert Heijn lists a yield of around 10 pancakes for the 400 g pack.
  • Before buying, check that the exact pack is available and that its ingredients are suitable for your guests.

Joannusmolen

An organic mix containing ingredients such as wheat and buckwheat, for anyone who wants to add milk and eggs to the batter themselves.

  • Ekoplaza describes the ingredients as coming from organic farming and the grain as milled between millstones.
  • The mix contains gluten, so it isn’t a gluten-free option.

AH

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, complete, multigrain and spelt mixes.

  • The different types let you compare preparation methods and grain options.
  • Ingredients, allergens and required additions can vary between products, so check the label on the exact pack.

Pancake mixes at Joybuy

These mixes offer options for a small batch, a classic basic mix and a multigrain alternative. If you’re cooking for several people, focus on the preparation instructions and yield. If anyone has dietary requirements, always check the label on the exact product.

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g shaker bottle

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g

For a small batch when you want to add as few ingredients as possible. Albert Heijn says this shaker bottle requires 350 ml of water and makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Before cooking for your guests, check the label for ingredients such as wheat, milk and eggs.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g

Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g

For anyone who wants to compare a multigrain mix with a standard basic mix. Check the pack to see which grains it contains, what you need to add to the batter and how many pancakes it makes. Don’t assume that ‘multigrain’ means gluten-free.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g

Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g

For anyone who wants to use a classic basic mix and add ingredients to the batter themselves. Koopmans lists milk, eggs and butter as additions for Origineel, and says one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack you buy.

View at Joybuy
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g shaker bottle

Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g

A shaker bottle to consider when you want to make a small amount of batter. Before buying, check which liquid this product requires and how many pancakes it makes: not every shaker mix only needs water. Check the allergen information too.

View at Joybuy
Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g

Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g

With this pack, start by working out how much batter you need for your group. Read the preparation instructions, stated yield and allergen information on the label. If you want to assess the calcium claim, check the nutritional information per 100 g or per serving rather than relying on the product name alone.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a complete mix the obvious choice for every special meal?

No. A complete mix is a good option if you want to add very little to the batter; according to the manufacturer, Koopmans Compleet only needs water. If you want to use milk and eggs, compare classic basic mixes and check how many pancakes they make.

Can someone who needs to eat gluten-free have a multigrain mix?

Not simply because it says ‘multigrain’ on the pack. According to the manufacturer, Koopmans’ organic multigrain mix contains wheat and oats. If gluten-free food is essential, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the up-to-date label, along with any ingredients you add yourself.

What allergen information do I need when serving unpackaged pancakes?

In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that anyone serving unpackaged food must be able to provide consumers with information about 14 allergens. Keep a record of the ingredients in the mix, additions and toppings for each recipe, so the information is available when you serve the pancakes.

Is the information on a product page enough to choose a mix?

Use a product page to compare options, but check the pack you’ll actually use before preparing the pancakes too. In particular, the information on allergens, required additions and yield needs to match the exact mix and the recipe you plan to make.