A 1 kg bag is a good fit for your first food shop if you bake larger quantities regularly and can store the mix somewhere dry. Van de Meester offers a mix that you make with water, although it’s aimed mainly at (semi-)professional bakers. If you’d rather start with a smaller quantity, you can choose between a complete mix that needs water and one that also requires milk and eggs. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the packaging for each option.
If you regularly bake for your household or guests, a larger bag could suit your needs. Van de Meester offers a 1 kg Traditional Dutch Pancake Mix. Check that you can use the quantity and store it somewhere dry, and read the allergen information before buying.
A complete mix can help keep your first shopping list short: according to the product information, you just add water to the batter for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete Mix. You’ll also need butter or oil and the right kitchen equipment for cooking.
If you’re looking for wholegrain, check the grain used in your chosen mix; wholegrain doesn’t mean gluten-free. Even if a mix is labelled gluten-free, it’s still important to check the other allergens listed on that specific pack.
First, decide whether you need a 1 kg bag or if a small pack will do. Then check which ingredients you have at home for the batter and cooking.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Check the net weight and how much batter it makes. Van de Meester lists a 1 kg pack; the Koopmans, PLUS, ALDI and Lidl examples mentioned are smaller. | If I often cook for several people, I want to use one bag rather than opening a new pack each time. Around 37% of consumers prioritise a 1 kg format. |
| Ingredients you need | Check whether the batter needs water, milk or eggs, and make sure you have butter or oil for cooking. | When doing my first food shop, I don’t want to find out that I’m missing ingredients for the batter. Around 27% of consumers prioritise ease of preparation. |
| Starting small | Compare the pack size with how much you actually want to cook and store. | If I’m not sure how often I’ll make pancakes, I’d rather start with a small pack. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Grain type and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact mix you’ve chosen; consider a gluten-free claim separately from other allergens. | If I have a specific grain preference or need to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in the mix first. This is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
The supermarket examples mentioned are smaller than Van de Meester’s 1 kg bag. If you’re cooking a larger batch, you may need several packs.
Check the net weight before you pay and choose an amount that suits what you want to cook.
You add water to the batter for the complete mixes mentioned, but you’ll still need a suitable pan and butter or oil for cooking.
Before your first food shop, also check that you have a bowl and a whisk or mixer.
PLUS Wholegrain contains wheat and oats. The product information for Koopmans’ gluten-free mix says it may contain egg and milk.
Read the full allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
Offers a 1 kg Traditional Dutch Pancake Mix for anyone specifically looking for a large bag.
Offers a range of pancake mixes in smaller packs, including complete, original, wholegrain and gluten-free options.
Offers 400 g packs of complete and wholegrain pancake mix.
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona multigrain pancake mix.
Lidl lists a 400 g Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
These smaller packs are suitable for making your first batch, with water or with milk and eggs. If you’re specifically looking for a single 1 kg bag, check the net weight: all the packs below are smaller.
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For a small first batch where you add water. This pack contains 210 g, not 1 kg; check the latest preparation instructions and allergen information on the packaging.
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A smaller wholegrain option if you also have milk and eggs on your shopping list. This pack contains 400 g, not 1 kg; check the preparation instructions and allergen information for this mix.
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For a small batch made in a shaker, provided you also have milk. The pack contains 175 g, not 1 kg; read the latest allergen information.
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A smaller pack if you want to use milk and eggs in the batter. It contains 400 g, not 1 kg; check the ingredients you’ll need and the allergen information before buying.
The Koopmans, PLUS, ALDI and Lidl packs mentioned are smaller than 1 kg; that doesn’t tell you what other pack sizes a shop stocks. If you’re specifically looking for a single 1 kg bag, check the net weight: Van de Meester lists that size for its Traditional Dutch Pancake Mix.
According to the product information, you add water to the batter for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete Mix. You’ll also need butter or oil, a suitable pan and kitchen equipment for mixing the batter; follow the instructions on your pack.
No. Wholegrain and gluten-free don’t mean the same thing: PLUS Wholegrain Pancake Mix contains wholegrain wheat and oats. If you need a gluten-free product, check the label on the pack you’ve chosen and read the rest of the allergen information too.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed food. Read the label on the specific mix you’re buying, even if you’re already familiar with another mix from the same brand.
