With the complete mixes we looked at, you only need to add water. A basic mix is a good fit if you already use milk and eggs, while a shaker bottle is designed for a small batch. None of these formats guarantees pancakes that will stay intact in a lunchbox: cook a test batch, let it cool and check whether the pieces hold together when packed. If you have an allergy, check the current label for the exact variant you’ve chosen.
You make pancakes at home, then pack them in pieces once they’ve cooled. Start with a small batch: the preparation instructions for the mixes we looked at don’t say how well the pancakes hold together after slicing.
You want to know in advance whether you only need water, or whether you’ll also need to get milk and eggs ready. For a small batch, a shaker bottle may also be worth considering.
Choose your mix based on the ingredients and allergens in the specific variant. Also look for any statement that the product may contain other allergens.
First, consider whether the cooked pancake will still work in your lunchbox once it has cooled. Then compare the extra ingredients needed, the quantity you want to make and the label on your chosen mix.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing and packing | Read the preparation instructions and cook a test batch to see how well the pancakes slice once cooled and hold up in transit. | I want to slice pancakes at home and pack pieces that stay intact in my lunchbox. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers looking for portions they can take with them. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, and whether the mixed batter needs to be used straight away. | When I have little time to cook, I want to get out and measure as few ingredients as possible. Easy preparation matters most to around 31% of consumers. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the pack size and stated yield with the number of lunch portions you want to make. | If I’m making lunches for several working days, I want to know whether one pack will make enough pancakes. A suitable yield is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging. | If a lunch portion needs to meet specific ingredient requirements, I want to be able to check the exact variant. This is the highest priority for around 19% of consumers. |
A mix’s name doesn’t tell you whether the cooked pancake will be firm enough to slice into neat pieces once cooled. The Albert Heijn and PLUS instructions we looked at describe spreading a thin layer of batter over the base of the pan.
Cook a test batch, then let it cool completely and check the size, how well it slices and whether the pieces stay in place in your lunchbox.
The product information for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij says the mix may contain egg and milk. So a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether those other allergens are present.
Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging of the variant you want to use.
For a packed lunch, what happens after cooking matters too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says cooked pancakes can be kept in the fridge for two days.
Let them cool, store them in a sealed container and keep them chilled until you’re ready to eat. Use an insulated cool bag with an ice pack if you can’t put them in a fridge soon after packing.
The range includes regular, complete and gluten-free pancake mixes, as well as a shaker bottle.
The own-brand range includes Naturel, Meergranen and Volkoren mixes.
The own-brand range includes Naturel and Complete mixes in packs, as well as a mix in a bottle.
This ALDI own brand has Naturel and Meergranen mixes in 400 g packs.
Lidl describes Belbake Pannenkoekenmix Origineel as a 400 g pack that makes around twelve pancakes.
These products include two options for a small batch and a 400 g pack of multigrain mix. Choose according to the quantity you need and check the added ingredients and allergens for each variant. Try them out for yourself to see whether the cooled pancakes are suitable for slicing and packing.
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An option to consider if you’re planning a small batch for your packed lunch. Check the packaging to see what you need to add and which allergens are listed. Try a cooled pancake to see whether the pieces stay intact.
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The shaker version suits anyone who wants to cook a smaller quantity. Before mixing, check what you need to add and read the latest allergen information. Using a shaker doesn’t tell you how firm the pancakes will be once they’ve cooled.
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A pack to consider if you want to make several lunch portions. Compare the stated yield and ingredients to add on the packaging with your cooking plans. If you want firm pieces that are easy to slice, cook a test batch first.
You can’t tell from the name of any of these mixes. The Albert Heijn and PLUS instructions we looked at describe batter that spreads into a thin layer; Koopmans lists different preparation options but doesn’t specify a set thickness or how well each mix slices. Cook a test batch, let it cool, then try slicing and packing it.
With the Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete mixes we looked at, you only need to add water. Check the packaging of the exact variant you’re buying to confirm. A shaker bottle can be handy for a small batch, but the PLUS bottle we looked at needs milk, and the mixed batter must be used straight away.
Keep cooked pancakes chilled: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months. Let them cool after cooking, store them in a sealed container and keep them chilled while you’re carrying them if you can’t put them in a fridge soon after.
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is free from milk or egg: the product information for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij says it may contain egg and milk. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging of the exact mix you’ve chosen.
