Choose pancake mix based on how much you want to make and what you need to add: a 400 g pack is best suited to cooking for several people or planning to have pancakes left over. A complete mix or shaker bottle can make preparation easier, but check what needs to be added and when the batter should be used for each version. A half loaf of bread to serve with pea soup is a separate choice, so make sure the quantity suits what your household will eat.
If you’re only shopping for a small meal, compare the quantity of pancake mix with how much you actually want to make. A half loaf may be a better fit for the amount of bread you want to serve with pea soup; you can freeze any bread left over.
A complete mix that you add water to requires different preparation from a shaker bottle that needs milk. Check when the mixed batter should be used, too: PLUS says its bottled mix should be used straight away.
Wholemeal and gluten-free are different product choices. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the specific mix and bread; for example, a gluten-free mix may still contain egg or milk.
First decide how many pancakes you want to make and how much bread you’ll need. Then compare the preparation instructions. If you have specific ingredient requirements, check the label on each product separately.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Servings and leftovers | Compare the stated yield of the mix with your plans. Choose the amount of bread separately and consider whether you want to freeze any leftovers. | I only want to serve a little bread with pea soup and don’t want to make more pancakes than we’ll eat. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing leftovers. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, and whether mixed batter needs to be used straight away. | If I don’t have much time to measure out ingredients, easy preparation matters most to me. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal or a small batch | Check the product name and ingredients. If you make your own batter, you can adjust the quantities to suit the portion you want. | I’m specifically looking for a wholemeal option or only want to make a small amount of batter myself. This is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check both the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the exact product packaging. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the label determines whether a mix or bread meets my requirements. This check is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn states that Koopmans Original 400 g makes 11–13 pancakes. That may be more than a small household wants to make for one meal.
Plan ahead for what you’ll do with any pancakes left over, or compare a smaller pack. Decide separately how much bread you need with the soup.
The PLUS wholemeal mix reviewed contains wheat and oats. For Koopmans Gluten-Free, Albert Heijn states that the product may contain egg and milk. So one label doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergens.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact version on the current packaging.
PLUS says its bottled mix should be used immediately after mixing with milk and that the batter shouldn’t be stored.
Get your pan ready and only mix this bottled batter when you’re ready to cook.
A name such as ‘complete’ or ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or potential allergens matter for your choice.
Use the product name to compare versions, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before you buy or cook.
Koopmans offers original, complete, wholemeal and gluten-free pancake mixes, among other options. Compare the version and pack size, not just the brand name.
Albert Heijn offers several types of pancake mix under its own brand, including plain and wholemeal.
Jumbo offers both pancake mix and half loaves of wholemeal bread: two separate purchases for the meal.
Lidl describes Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g pack.
ALDI offers a 400 g multigrain pancake mix under the Albona brand, as well as half loaves of wholemeal multigrain bread.
PLUS offers plain, wholemeal and complete pancake mixes, a bottled mix and half loaves of wholemeal bread.
These products are pancake mixes in a range of pack sizes. For a small household, compare not just the weight but also the preparation instructions and the yield stated on the packaging. Choose the bread to serve with pea soup separately.
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A shaker bottle to consider if you want a smaller pack than 400 g. Check how much liquid to add, how many pancakes it makes and when to use the mixed batter.
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A complete mix in a smaller pack for anyone who wants to compare its preparation with that of a standard packet mix. Check the instructions for additions and allergens: ‘complete’ doesn’t mean the mix is free from milk or egg ingredients.
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A packet mix to compare if you’re cooking for several people or already know what you’ll do with any pancakes left over. Check the pack for the yield and any ingredients you need to add before deciding how much you’ll need for your meal.
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The 100 g pack is an option to compare if you only want to buy a small amount of mix. Check how many pancakes it makes and what ingredients you need to add; don’t estimate the yield from the pack weight alone.
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The 200 g pack may be worth considering if you want to buy less mix than you would in a 400 g pack. Check the preparation instructions and yield on the pack. For this product, the listed ingredients, including whey powder and egg powder, conflict with the allergen information. If you have an allergy, don’t rely on the online allergen information; check the physical packaging.
No. Choose a half loaf to serve with the soup; pancake mix is for making pancake batter. Decide separately how much of each product your household will use.
Yes, if the bread you choose is suitable for freezing. PLUS says its Boeren Volkoren half loaf can be frozen at home on the day you buy it. Check the packaging for storage instructions for other breads.
Check the label on the exact mix if you need to avoid an ingredient. Mixes vary in the grains they contain and in whether they contain, or may contain, egg and milk. So check both the ingredients and allergen information.
Not automatically. For Koopmans Gluten-Free, Albert Heijn states that the product may contain egg and milk. Check the current packaging if you need to avoid those ingredients too.
Not with the PLUS bottled mix, which needs to be used immediately after mixing with milk. Only mix it when you’re ready to cook; for other bottled mixes, follow the instructions on the packaging.
