Solo diner planning several meals
Uses milk, eggs and cooking fat in other dishes too, and wants to make a packet of dry mix on different occasions. Sealing and storing it properly is part of the decision.
Who might find the choice makes a difference?
Solo diner short on preparation time
Doesn’t want to buy or measure out milk and eggs for a one-off meal. A complete mix or shaker bottle could be a good fit, as long as it’s clear whether you’ll need cooking fat or another ingredient as well as water.
Shopper who needs to check the label
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the specific product. A standard mix and a complete mix from the same brand may differ.
What should you look for when making one meal?
First decide whether you want to use part of a larger packet later, or would rather make a smaller batch. Then compare the ingredients you’ll need, the stated yield and the label for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients you already have | Check whether you need to add milk, eggs and cooking fat, or whether water is enough to make the batter. | If I don’t want to open a carton of milk or a pack of eggs for one meal, I look for a mix that suits what I already have at home. Around 31% of consumers put this first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the stated yield with how much you want to cook, and check how to store any leftover dry mix. | I don’t want to make the whole packet at once, but I don’t want to throw away dry mix either. Avoiding leftovers is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check the instructions and whether you’ll need cooking fat as well as water. | When I fancy making pancakes on a whim, I want to measure out as few ingredients as possible and keep the washing-up to a minimum. Convenience matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for the exact product, including the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the word ‘complete’ or assume another product in the range is the same. Label suitability is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the quantity of mix
You can use a larger packet over several meals, but a standard mix usually also needs milk, eggs and cooking fat. A smaller or complete pack may need to be prepared differently.
Read the full instructions and think about which ingredients you already use before choosing a pack size.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
A complete mix may contain milk or egg, even if you don’t need to add them to the batter yourself.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current label for the exact product you’re buying.
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Assuming a large packet will automatically go to waste
You don’t have to make all the dry mix at once. According to the Voedingscentrum, you can store an opened packet of pancake mix in a kitchen cupboard, as long as it’s kept cool, dry and dark and sealed tightly.
Choose a larger packet if you want to use the leftover dry mix another time. Choose a shaker bottle if making a smaller batch and measuring less are more important to you.
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Treating a product page as the definitive label
Ingredients and allergen information can vary between products and may change.
Use online information to decide which packs to look at, but check the product’s own label when you buy it or when it’s delivered.
Brands and own-label options to consider
These product ranges show which differences in packaging and preparation are relevant when you’re cooking for one. Always check the details for the specific product.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-label range includes a standard plain mix and a complete shaker bottle.
- Jumbo states that its 400 g Naturel mix makes around 12 portions, while the 200 g complete shaker bottle makes around 6.
- According to Jumbo, you still need to add water and oil or margarine to the complete shaker bottle, so ‘complete’ doesn’t mean you need nothing else.
PLUS
The own-label range includes a standard plain mix and a complete mix, both in 400 g packs.
- PLUS says to add 700 ml of water to the batter for PLUS Complete.
- You’ll still need butter or oil for cooking. According to PLUS, the complete mix contains milk and egg, so check the current label if you have an allergy.
Albona (ALDI)
Albona is ALDI’s own-label brand, with products including a 400 g plain pancake baking mix.
- The plain mix comes in a larger pack, which may suit you if you want to use the dry mix over several meals.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed for this product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers products including a plain mix and a complete mix, both in 400 g packs.
- The two options let you choose between a standard mix and one where you can compare the preparation instructions for any additional ingredients.
- Check the pack for the product you’ve chosen, as the range and product information may change.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers different product formats, including a standard mix and a complete shaker bottle.
- Koopmans says a packet of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Joybuy product information says the 210 g complete shaker bottle needs 350 ml of water.
- Pannenkoeken Origineel needs milk, eggs and butter. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for each product rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These Koopmans products show two options for cooking for one: a shaker bottle for a smaller batch, or a packet of dry mix that you can use on several occasions. Check what you need to add to each product and how many pancakes the pack makes.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle 210 g
A shaker bottle for anyone who wants to make a smaller amount without adding milk or eggs to the batter.
According to Joybuy product information, mix the 210 g contents with 350 ml of water to make 4 to 6 pancakes. Check the current label if you have an allergy.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle for anyone who wants to measure less when making a smaller batch, provided you don’t mind adding milk.
The pack contains 175 g of mix. Read the instructions before preparing it and check the label for this product if you have an allergy.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A packet for anyone who wants to use the dry mix on different occasions and has milk, eggs and cooking fat at home for preparation.
Koopmans says a packet of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Seal any leftover dry mix tightly and follow the instructions on the pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A packet for anyone who doesn’t want to make the whole mix at once and can store the leftover dry mix in a tightly sealed container.
The packet contains 400 g of mix. You’ll need milk, eggs and cooking fat to prepare it; check the instructions and allergen information on the label for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a 400 g packet for several meals for one?
Yes, you can divide dry pancake mix between several occasions as long as you store the rest properly. The Voedingscentrum advises keeping opened mix in a kitchen cupboard, cool, dry and dark, and in a tightly sealed container. Follow the instructions and use-by date on the pack too.
Do I need to add anything to a complete pancake mix?
Yes, always check the preparation instructions for the complete mix you’ve chosen. PLUS says to add 700 ml of water and butter or oil to its 400 g Complete mix; instructions may differ for other products.
Where can I check the allergens in pancake mix?
Read the current label on the exact pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirements for declaring allergens on prepacked food labels. Don’t rely on the word ‘complete’ or the ingredients in another product in the range.
How many pancakes does a standard packet make?
It varies by product and preparation method. Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes, while Jumbo states that its 400 g Naturel mix makes around 12 portions. A stated portion won’t necessarily be the same as your meal, so also consider how much batter you want to make at a time.