If you want pancakes with your pea soup that definitely contain sourdough, make a batter with your own active starter or choose a mix whose ingredients list explicitly mentions sourdough. A complete mix means fewer separate ingredients when speed is your priority, but check the preparation instructions and allergens too. Grain names such as spelt or wholemeal don’t prove that a mix contains sourdough.
You want to be sure there’s sourdough in the batter, and you have an active starter or time to make one. If you’re using a ready-made mix, check the ingredients list rather than the type of grain shown on the front.
You want to measure out as few ingredients as possible, so you’d rather use a complete mix that only needs water or a shake-and-pour bottle. Check how much batter you need and what else the packaging says to add.
Your choice may depend on gluten, milk, eggs or whether you want to prepare the pancakes using plant-based ingredients. Check both the dry mix and anything you add to the batter yourself.
First decide whether the batter must contain sourdough, or whether a quick pancake to serve with your pea soup matters more. Then check the ingredients and preparation instructions for each product.
Choose this if: you want sourdough to be a definite ingredient and have an active starter, or the time to make one.
The trade-off: this approach takes more preparation. Jumbo’s published instructions for making a starter say it takes 3 to 6 days.
Choose this if: you want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible to make pancakes to go with your soup.
The trade-off: convenience doesn’t tell you whether the mix contains sourdough or what allergens it contains. Check the instructions for cooking fat too.
Choose this if: you want to decide for yourself which liquid and savoury ingredients to add to the batter.
The trade-off: you’ll need to provide the additional ingredients separately. The words wholemeal or spelt don’t confirm that it contains sourdough.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough as an ingredient | Look for sourdough or sourdough starter explicitly listed in the ingredients. Don’t infer that a mix is fermented from words such as spelt, wholemeal or multigrain. | I want sourdough in my pancake batter, not just a mix made with a particular grain. For around 44% of consumers, having sourdough as a definite ingredient comes first. |
| Minimal preparation | Compare what you need to add: water, milk, eggs or cooking fat. Check how many pancakes the pack says it makes too. | When the pea soup is nearly ready, I want to make batter without measuring out lots of ingredients. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this kind of convenience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about traces. If you’re preparing the mix with plant-based ingredients, check what the instructions call for too. | I need to consider gluten, milk or eggs, or want to cook with plant-based ingredients, so the full preparation method determines my choice. For around 23% of consumers, these checks are the top priority. |
Spelt and wholemeal describe the grains or flour used, not whether a sourdough starter is included. Albert Heijn’s product information for the spelt and wholemeal mixes reviewed lists those grains and raising agents.
If sourdough is essential, look for it explicitly in the ingredients list or make the batter with your own starter.
Simple preparation doesn’t change the ingredients in the dry mix. The complete mixes and shake-and-pour bottles reviewed may contain gluten-containing cereals, milk ingredients or eggs.
For every version, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about traces on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn states that its gluten-free pancake mix has been discontinued. So an existing product page doesn’t mean you’ll be able to buy the mix for your planned meal.
Check current availability and, if you choose an alternative, check its ingredients and the gluten-free label again.
Preparation methods vary between mixes, even within the same brand. Use these examples to compare product labels, not as a judgement on the brand’s entire range.
Offers a basic mix, a complete mix and a shake-and-pour bottle, among other options, for different ways of making pancakes.
Offers wholemeal and spelt mixes, among other options, for comparing grain types and preparation methods.
The Naturel mix reviewed is a base mix that you add to yourself to make savoury pancakes.
Offers a complete mix and a bottle mix, each with different requirements for making the batter.
ALDI sells multigrain and plain pancake baking mixes under the Albona brand.
These mixes suit you if you want to add your own ingredients and serve the pancakes savoury alongside pea soup. If you specifically want sourdough in the batter, check that it’s explicitly listed in the current ingredients before you buy.
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A savoury pancake to serve with pea soup, if you want to add your own ingredients to the batter. Check the instructions for milk, eggs and cooking fat. If sourdough or an allergen affects your choice, check the current ingredients list.
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For anyone who wants to add their own ingredients to a basic mix and serve savoury pancakes. Bear in mind that you’ll need milk, eggs and cooking fat. Check the packaging if you’re looking for sourdough or need to avoid certain ingredients.
No. Those words describe grains or types of flour, not whether sourdough is included. If sourdough is essential, look for sourdough or sourdough starter explicitly listed in the current ingredients.
A complete mix that only needs water minimises what you have to add to the batter: Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Compleet needs water and makes 8 to 10 pancakes. PLUS also says its complete mix needs baking butter or oil, so check the instructions on the pack you choose.
Only if you use plant-based ingredients when preparing it too. Albert Heijn labels the wholemeal and spelt mixes reviewed as vegan in their dry form and gives plant-based preparation options. The standard method may call for other ingredients.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling on food labels. Don’t forget to check the ingredients you add to the batter yourself too.
No. Albert Heijn states that its gluten-free pancake mix has been discontinued. Check current availability and, if you choose an alternative, read the label and ingredients on the packaging.
