Budget-conscious picnic cooks
If you’re cooking at home for several people, check how many pancakes a pack makes and which ingredients you’ll still need. A low-cost dry mix may require more additional shopping than you expect at first glance.
Which approach works best for you?
Those short on preparation time
If you want to do less measuring and washing up before you leave, a complete mix or shaker bottle could be a good fit. Check which liquid you need to add and whether the quantity will be enough for your group.
Picnickers who check the label
If ingredients or allergens matter to your group, read the label on the exact variety you’re buying. Also plan how you’ll pack the cooked pancakes hygienically and keep them chilled while you’re out.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many pancakes you want to cook at home and which ingredients you already have. Then choose between a standard mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle, depending on what you want to do before you leave. Ready-made pancakes are a separate product category.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and additions | Check the pack size, how many pancakes it makes and which milk, eggs or cooking fat you need to add according to the label. | When I’m cooking for a group, I want to make sure my shopping covers enough pancakes without forgetting any additions. An estimated 42% of consumers put having this complete shopping list first. |
| Preparation | Check whether the mix calls for water or milk, whether you’ll need a mixing bowl and when the prepared batter should be used. | When I’m cooking shortly before leaving, I want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible and keep the washing up to a minimum. For an estimated 33% of consumers, this simple preparation is the deciding factor. |
| Label and transport | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack, and make sure you can keep the cooked pancakes chilled while you’re out. | If anyone in the group has allergies, I want to know what’s in the mix I’ve chosen and how I’ll transport the food. An estimated 25% of consumers put this check first. |
A standard mix is most practical when you already have the required additions at home. According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Origineel requires milk, eggs and butter, while Pannenkoeken Compleet is made with water. A shaker bottle means you don’t need a separate mixing bowl, but the Koopmans and PLUS shaker bottles require milk. If you don’t want to cook at all, you could consider ready-made pancakes and check their ingredients and storage instructions separately.
Common mistakes
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Only looking at the dry mix pack
A standard mix may also require milk, eggs and cooking fat. The number of pancakes per pack also determines whether one pack will be enough for your group.
Read the recipe on the pack you’ve chosen and make a list of the required additions and the quantity you need before you go shopping.
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Mistaking a shaker bottle for a complete mix
A shaker bottle mainly saves you from using a separate mixing bowl. Koopmans and PLUS describe shaker bottle varieties that still require milk.
If you don’t want to add milk and eggs, check the preparation instructions for a complete mix. If you mainly want to cut down on washing up, look at a shaker bottle.
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Making the batter well before you leave
For its 200 g complete mix, Jumbo says that the prepared batter should be used straight away. Mixing it early doesn’t follow those preparation instructions.
Make the batter when you’re ready to cook. If you’re cooking at home for the picnic, allow time to pack the pancakes and keep them chilled while you’re out.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Ingredients information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn refers customers to the pack; Lidl also directs customers to the pack or its customer service team for information about its food products.
If anyone has allergies, check the label on the exact variety you’re buying and don’t switch to another mix without checking it first.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different ways to cook pancakes at home for a picnic. Always compare the specific variety, as the ingredients to add and the packaging can vary within one brand.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a classic mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle.
- According to Koopmans, a pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes; the brand lists milk and eggs as ingredients for the batter.
- According to Koopmans, the complete mix is made with water, while the shaker bottle requires milk. Choose according to the preparation method for the variety you’re buying.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers AH own-brand mixes, including plain, multigrain and wholemeal varieties, alongside branded products.
- The different varieties give you the option to choose according to ingredients and preparation method.
- Albert Heijn recommends reading the pack, as product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, a plain mix and a 200 g complete mix.
- The 200 g complete variety gives you a specific quantity to compare with the size of your group.
- Jumbo says that once prepared, the batter for this complete variety should be used straight away.
Lidl
Lidl offers Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel as a dry baking mix.
- If you’re looking for a standard mix, you can compare the preparation instructions for this variety with those for other mixes.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional information about its food products, Lidl refers customers to the pack or its customer service team. Read the label if you need this information to make your choice.
ALDI / Albona
ALDI offers Albona pancake mixes in plain and multigrain varieties, in 400 g packs.
- According to ALDI, the Albona plain mix is made with milk and eggs.
- ALDI also offers ready-made pancakes that only need warming up. These aren’t dry pancake mixes, so compare the preparation instructions for each product type.
PLUS
PLUS offers a 400 g plain mix, a complete mix and a 200 g shaker bottle.
- The different varieties let you choose between mixing in a bowl, using a complete mix or mixing in the bottle.
- PLUS specifies around 400 ml of milk for the shaker bottle; these preparation methods also require oil or butter for cooking.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These three Koopmans mixes are suited to cooking at home before a park picnic: a shaker bottle for a smaller batch and two 400 g dry mixes for making more pancakes. Compare the required additions and the number of pancakes each pack makes with your plans for the group.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
Suited to a smaller batch when you want to mix the batter in the bottle instead of using a separate bowl.
According to the product description, you add 400 ml of milk and one bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check that this quantity will be enough, and read the current label if anyone has allergies.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
Suited to cooking at home for a group when you’re happy to use the required milk and eggs.
According to the product description, one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. You’ll need 900 ml of milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. Read the current packaging if anyone has allergies.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
Suited to a classic homemade preparation when you want to cook a larger batch for your picnic.
According to the product description, one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. You add 850 ml of milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. Follow the preparation instructions and check the current label if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a complete mix instead of a standard pancake mix?
A complete mix is a good choice when you want to add fewer separate ingredients. Koopmans specifies water for Pannenkoeken Compleet, while the brand lists milk and eggs for Pannenkoeken Origineel. Also check what you’ll need for cooking each variety.
Can I make the batter at home and cook the pancakes later in the park?
Follow the instructions for the mix you’ve chosen; Jumbo says that the batter for its 200 g complete mix should be used straight away. If you cook at home, you can take the cooked pancakes with you instead of the batter and keep them chilled while you’re out.
How should I take cooked pancakes to the park?
Keep the pancakes chilled and use clean hands, packaging and utensils. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that warm weather gives pathogens more chance to grow.
Where can I check for allergens in pancake mix?
Before buying, read the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on pre-packed foods; online product information may change in the meantime.