Home cooks who want to use ingredients they already have
For older people, housemates and carers who want to know in advance which ingredients they’ll need in addition to the dry mix.
Who are these options relevant to?
Shoppers who want to keep preparation simple
For anyone who finds a mix made with water more practical than one that requires separate milk and eggs.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
For anyone whose choice depends on grain composition, salt levels or allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that older people with an illness, disability or reduced appetite may need additional, personalised dietary advice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most to you: what you’ll need to add to the batter, how much preparation you want to do, or which details on the label you need to check.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients to add | Check whether you need to add milk, eggs, water and cooking fat; also consider what you already have at home. | If I want to bake with ingredients already in my kitchen, I need to know what else I’ll need besides the mix. Around 38% of consumers would consider these additions the main deciding factor. |
| Preparation | Check the preparation instructions and how many pancakes the pack is said to make. | When I’m making a small batch, I don’t want to measure out more ingredients than necessary. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise simple preparation. |
| Grain composition and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements; compare salt levels on the same basis. | If I’m choosing a mix because of an allergy or a specific dietary plan, the current label needs to suit my circumstances. An estimated 31% of consumers would make this their first consideration. |
Common misconceptions
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Looking only at the front of the pack
A plain mix may still need milk, eggs and cooking fat; a complete mix may require other additions.
Read the preparation instructions for both options before choosing, so you know what else you’ll need.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
The PLUS Complete mix reviewed contains wheat, milk and egg, even though the preparation instructions say to make it with water.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging.
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Comparing salt levels measured on different bases
A figure for dry mix cannot be compared directly with one for prepared pancakes.
Compare nutritional information per 100 g on the same preparation basis. If you’re following a prescribed diet, stick to the advice of your healthcare professional.
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Treating dry mix and ready-made pancakes as the same thing
ALDI’s ALBONA baking mix is a dry mix for making your own batter. ALDI also lists separate ready-made pancakes that only need reheating.
First decide whether you want to make pancakes from scratch or heat ready-made ones; then check the information for the product you’re considering.
Brands to consider
ALBONA (ALDI)
ALDI lists a 400 g ALBONA plain mix for making your own pancakes.
- A supermarket own-brand option if you’re looking for a dry plain mix.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack of the variant you buy.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal mixes with different preparation instructions and grain compositions.
- According to PLUS, the complete mix requires water and cooking fat; the plain mix also requires milk and eggs.
- According to the ingredients list, the PLUS wholemeal mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour; check whether wheat and oats suit your needs.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 400 g plain mix and a separate 400 g organic mix.
- The plain mix ingredients include wheat, buckwheat and oats.
- The plain mix may contain barley, egg and milk. If you have an allergy, check the current label for the variant you choose.
Koopmans
The Koopmans Origineel mix reviewed is a 400 g dry pancake mix.
- The ingredients list includes wheat, buckwheat and rye.
- The product may contain egg and milk. The product information also says not to eat the batter raw and to cook it thoroughly.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl lists a 400 g Belbake original pancake mix and a multigrain version.
- Lidl says the original version makes around 12 pancakes.
- Lidl states that this original version is only available in store. Check the pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes suit different ways of making pancakes at home: with milk and eggs, with water, or in a shaker for a smaller batch. Check the additions and label for each product; the selection below doesn’t recommend just one way of preparing pancakes.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone looking for a mix made with several types of grain who wants to add milk and eggs.
The product description lists 4% wholemeal oat flour and 4% wholemeal barley flour, along with 900 ml milk, 2 eggs and cooking fat or oil. It is said to make 11–13 pancakes. If you have allergies, check the current label.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For a smaller batch where, according to the instructions, you add water instead of separate milk and eggs.
The instructions call for 350 ml water, shaken in the bottle for one minute, and say the mix makes 4–6 pancakes. The mix contains milk and egg; if you have allergies, check the current label.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
For anyone who wants to mix batter in a shaker for a small batch, provided adding milk suits their needs.
According to the description, add 400 ml milk and shake the bottle for one minute; the stated yield is 4–6 pancakes. The ingredients include egg and cereals containing gluten; the product may contain milk. If you have allergies, read the current label.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone who wants to make a larger batch of batter and add milk and eggs.
The product description calls for 850 ml milk, 2 eggs and cooking fat or oil, and says the mix makes 11–13 pancakes. Don’t eat the batter raw, and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
For anyone looking for a 100 g pack who wants to add water and egg, as stated in the instructions.
The instructions call for 60 ml water and one egg. The product information lists wheat and gluten; if you have allergies, check the current label. If calcium content matters to your choice, read the nutritional information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is a complete pancake mix easier to prepare than a plain mix?
It can be, if you want to add fewer separate ingredients. According to PLUS, the Complete mix reviewed requires water and cooking fat, while the PLUS plain mix requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. ‘Complete’ in itself says nothing about whether a mix is suitable for people with allergies.
What should I check if I have a wheat, milk or egg allergy?
Before buying, read the current label for the specific mix, including the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the labels of prepacked products; ingredients vary between variants.
Is a wholemeal mix automatically suitable for every older person?
No. The choice also depends on the ingredients and individual dietary needs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that people with an illness, disability or reduced appetite may need additional dietary advice. Read the label and follow personalised advice if you have specific dietary requirements.
How should I store opened pancake mix?
Follow the instructions on the pack and seal the mix well after opening. The PLUS and Jumbo product information reviewed recommends storing the mixes in a cool, dry place; also check the date on the packaging.
Can I compare salt levels in dry mix and prepared pancakes?
Not directly: compare figures only when they refer to the same quantity and preparation basis. The PLUS product information reviewed gives figures per 100 g of prepared product, while a figure for dry mix refers to a different product weight and doesn’t account for preparation.