If you’re cooking for a group
You want to work out how many pancakes a pack makes and how many packs you’ll need for family, guests or a group lunch.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to make batter quickly
For breakfast, lunch or an impromptu baking session, you want to add as few ingredients as possible and keep preparation simple.
If you compare labels
Before buying, you check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, for example to distinguish wholemeal and multigrain options.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a meal shared with others, the yield tells you how many packs you’ll need. Then compare the preparation instructions and, if you have specific dietary requirements, check the label of the exact variant.
Traditional packet mix
Best for: baking together when you want to add milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to get those ingredients ready separately. Also check the allergens in the mix.
Complete packet mix
Best for: a larger baking session without adding milk or eggs separately.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need fat or oil for cooking, and the mix may contain milk and egg ingredients.
Shaker bottle
Best for: a smaller baking session when you want to mix the batter in the bottle.
Bear in mind: each bottle makes fewer pancakes; depending on the variant, you’ll need to add milk or water.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | Compare the stated number of pancakes per pack with the number of people you’re serving. | If I’m cooking for several people, I want to know whether one pack will be enough. Around 37% of consumers prioritise yield. |
| Ingredients you’ll need | Check what you need to add to your chosen mix, such as milk, eggs or cooking fat. | I want to be able to cook with what I already have at home, without having to shop for one extra ingredient. For around 27% of consumers, the ingredients needed are the first thing they consider. |
| Preparation | Read how much you need to add and whether the instructions include a resting time. | For an impromptu baking session, I want to make the batter without lots of measuring. That’s why around 18% of consumers prioritise ease of preparation. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the name of the mix alone. For around 18% of consumers, label information matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘Complete’ means free from milk and egg
When making a complete mix, you may only need to add water and cooking fat, but Koopmans Complete and PLUS Complete also list milk and egg ingredients in the mix.
If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, not just the preparation instructions.
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Looking only at the pack size
A traditional packet mix and a complete packet mix can both contain 400 g, even though you need to add different ingredients to each.
Before cooking, check both what you need and the stated yield for the variant you’ve chosen.
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Planning to use a small shaker bottle for a large group
A bottle that makes a few pancakes has a different yield from a pack designed for a group. The Koopmans shaker bottles shown here are stated to make 4 to 6 pancakes per bottle.
Choose the number of packs based on how many people you’re serving and the yield stated on the packaging.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a range that includes Original and Complete packet mixes, multigrain and wholemeal options, and shaker bottles.
- For Original 400 g, Koopmans states a yield of 11 to 13 pancakes.
- Original requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. If you don’t add milk or eggs to Complete, that still doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the mix.
AH
Albert Heijn’s online range includes its own-brand pancake mixes in options such as plain, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and spelt.
- The different recipe types let you compare preparation methods and ingredients.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for the exact variant and pack.
PLUS
PLUS lists traditional and complete 400 g packet mixes, as well as a plain mix in a 200 g bottle.
- The complete packet mix needs water and cooking fat or oil; the bottle offers a different way to prepare a smaller amount of batter.
- The traditional packet mix needs milk, eggs and cooking fat. The plain mix in the bottle also requires milk.
Albona
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona multigrain pancake mix.
- The multigrain description helps distinguish this option from a plain mix.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before deciding whether this option meets your needs.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These options suit two types of baking session: a 400 g pack for planning a meal for several people, or a smaller shaker bottle for making a few pancakes. Check what you need to add to the batter for each variant.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
A multigrain option for anyone who wants to plan quantities in advance when cooking for several people.
Stated yield: 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. The product description lists 900 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil for preparation.
The description lists ingredients including wheat, rye, oats and barley. Check the allergen information on the exact pack.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
A traditional packet mix with a stated yield that helps you plan a baking session to share.
Stated yield: 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. The product description lists 850 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil as additions.
The description lists wheat and rye. If you have specific dietary requirements, check the allergen information on the pack.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
This complete shaker bottle is suited to a smaller baking session without needing to add milk.
Stated yield: 4 to 6 pancakes. According to the product description, add 350 ml water and shake for about one minute.
The description lists ingredients including milk and egg. Check the allergen information on the exact pack.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle for making a few pancakes when you want to mix the batter in the bottle.
Stated yield: 4 to 6 pancakes. The product description lists 400 ml milk as an addition and says to shake for about one minute.
The description lists egg, wheat and rye; milk may also be present. Check the allergen information on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
How much pancake mix do I need for several people?
Use the yield on the pack as a guide and work out how many pancakes you want to make for your guests. Koopmans states that Original 400 g makes 11 to 13 pancakes; according to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete 400 g makes around 10.
What’s the difference between Original and Complete pancake mix?
For the traditional packet mixes discussed here, you add milk and eggs; the product pages for the complete packet mixes list water as an addition. You’ll also need fat or oil for cooking. Check the label too: a complete mix may contain milk and egg ingredients.
Is a shaker bottle suitable for cooking for a group?
It can be, but choose the number of bottles based on the stated yield. According to their product descriptions, the Koopmans shaker bottles shown here each make 4 to 6 pancakes; one needs water and the other milk.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
Don’t taste batter containing raw egg before cooking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises that dishes containing raw egg as an ingredient should be heated all the way through. Also follow the use and storage instructions for your chosen mix.