Who are the differences important to?

Solo diner who already uses basic ingredients

If you also use milk, eggs and cooking fat in other dishes, you can spread a standard basic mix over several meals. Check how much batter one pack makes according to the instructions.

Solo cook who wants to avoid leftovers

If you only make a small batch now and then, a shaker bottle could suit your plans. Koopmans says its shaker bottle makes 4–6 pancakes; check the yield of the variant you choose.

Shopper with a specific ingredient requirement

If you need to avoid an ingredient such as gluten, milk or eggs, the label on the exact variant is what matters. Plain and complete mixes may contain different ingredients and allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check what you need to add to the mix and how many pancakes you want to make. Then look at the preparation instructions and the label for your chosen variant.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Additional ingredients Check whether you need to add milk, eggs and cooking fat, or water and cooking fat. I already have milk and eggs at home and use them in other dishes too. Around 36% of consumers prioritise keeping the number of extra ingredients for this meal to a minimum.
Quantity per batch Check the yield per pack and whether you can make the dry mix in smaller batches. When I’m eating alone, I don’t want to make more batter than I can use. Avoiding leftovers matters most to around 29% of consumers.
Ease of preparation Check what you need to measure and add; a complete mix and a shaker bottle don’t necessarily require the same ingredients. I want to make pancakes without needing lots of separate ingredients. Convenience is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including for plain and complete variants. If I need to avoid a particular ingredient or am looking for a specific variant, the label matters more than the preparation method. Around 14% of consumers prioritise these product features.

Common mistakes

  • Judging by the packaging alone

    A basic mix may require milk, eggs and cooking fat, while the PLUS Complete mix we looked at is made with water and cooking fat.

    Before choosing, read the preparation instructions and consider which ingredients you already use or can use after making the pancakes.

  • Assuming a standard pack is a single serving

    Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11–13 pancakes; Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Lidl say their standard mixes we looked at make around 12. That may be more than you want to cook at once.

    Check whether you can use the dry mix over several batches, or choose a pack with a yield that better suits your meal.

  • Assuming plain or complete means allergen-free

    The AH plain mix we looked at contains wheat and oats; the PLUS Complete mix we looked at contains wheat, milk and egg.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the pack you’re actually buying.

  • Tasting raw batter

    The Voedingscentrum points out that uncooked flour can also contain harmful bacteria.

    Don’t taste the batter raw, and make sure the pancakes are cooked through.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers standard mixes, variants with specific ingredients and shaker bottles, among other products.

  • Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11–13 pancakes; one shaker bottle we looked at is designed to make 4–6.
  • Check the yield and what you need to add for each variant: a shaker bottle doesn’t necessarily have the same preparation requirements as a standard pack.

Albert Heijn

The AH plain pancake mix we looked at is a 400 g basic mix.

  • Albert Heijn says it makes around 12 pancakes.
  • The preparation instructions we looked at call for 800 ml milk, 3 eggs and cooking fat; the mix contains wheat and oats.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a plain basic mix and variants with different ingredients, among other options.

  • Jumbo says its 400 g plain mix we looked at makes around 12 pancakes.
  • The plain variant contains wheat and oats. For a specific variant, check the current label and availability.

PLUS

PLUS offers both a plain basic mix and a 400 g complete mix; the preparation instructions differ.

  • According to PLUS, you need to add 700 ml water and cooking fat to PLUS Complete.
  • The plain mix we looked at requires 800 ml milk, 3 eggs and cooking fat. PLUS Complete contains wheat, milk and egg.

Albona / ALDI

ALDI lists Albona plain pancake baking mix in a 400 g pack.

  • The pack size is clearly stated on ALDI’s product range page.
  • For preparation instructions and allergen information, check the label on the exact pack in store.

Belbake / Lidl

Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as an in-store product.

  • According to Lidl, the 400 g pack makes around 12 pancakes.
  • Check the preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack of the variant you choose.

Shaker bottles on Joybuy

These two Koopmans variants are worth considering if you’re looking for a shaker mix for one meal. Note the difference in pack size, and check the yield, preparation instructions and ingredients for each bottle.

Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g pack

Koopmans Pancakes Complete – 210 g

If you’re considering a shaker mix, check how many pancakes this variant makes and what you need to add.

If you need to avoid an ingredient, read the information on the pack.

View on Joybuy
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g pack

Koopmans Shaker Pancakes – 175 g

If you’d prefer a smaller pack than a standard 400 g one, check the yield and ingredients required for this bottle.

If you need to avoid an ingredient, read the information on the pack.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When is a shaker bottle a better choice than a standard pack?

A shaker bottle could be a better choice if you want to make fewer pancakes at a time. Koopmans says its shaker bottle we looked at makes 4–6 pancakes, compared with 11–13 for Koopmans Original. Also check what you need to add to the bottle you choose.

How many pancakes does a standard pack make?

The yield varies by product and preparation method. Albert Heijn and Jumbo say their plain mixes we looked at make around 12 pancakes, Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11–13, and Lidl says Belbake makes around 12. The size and thickness of your pancakes will affect how many you actually make.

Do I need milk and eggs for every pancake mix?

No. According to PLUS, you add 700 ml water and cooking fat to the PLUS Complete mix we looked at. That doesn’t mean the mix is free from milk or egg; read the ingredients and preparation instructions for the exact variant.

Is a plain mix suitable if I need to avoid gluten?

Don’t assume so: the AH plain mix we looked at contains wheat and oats. Only choose a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the current label on the pack.

Can I taste pancake batter raw?

It’s best not to taste pancake batter raw. The Voedingscentrum points out that uncooked flour can also contain harmful bacteria; make sure the pancakes are cooked through.