If you want to keep extra ingredients to a minimum for a picnic in the park, start by checking what you already have at home. Koopmans Original requires milk, eggs and cooking fat, while the manufacturer says you only need to add water to Koopmans Complete. Check the label on the version you choose, and think about how you’ll cool and transport the pancakes before you start cooking.
You can make a batch of pancakes at home and check whether you already have the milk, eggs and cooking fat needed for your chosen mix. That way, you won’t discover halfway through preparing that you’re missing something.
You want to get started with as few separate ingredients as possible. A mix that only needs water may suit you, provided the pack makes enough pancakes.
Check the label on the exact pack, as well as the ingredients you add yourself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says allergen information on the label is important if you have a food allergy.
First decide which ingredients you’re happy to add. Then check the label and plan how you’ll transport the pancakes if you’re making them in advance.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Extra ingredients | Check which milk, eggs or cooking fat you’ll need, and see what you already have. | If I’m making pancakes at home for a picnic, I don’t want to have to go out for ingredients halfway through. For around 36% of consumers, avoiding extra shopping is the top priority. |
| Simple preparation | Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack you choose will make. | If I don’t have much time to prepare, I don’t want to work with several separate ingredients. Around 29% of consumers put simplicity first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, and check anything you add yourself. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know before cooking whether the mix and any additions are suitable. This check comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Transporting them to the park | Allow time for the pancakes to cool completely after cooking, and consider whether chilled products will be coming along. | If I’m cooking in advance, I don’t want to pack the pancakes while they’re still warm. Chilled additions also need to be kept cool on the way. Safe transport is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Koopmans says its Original mix needs milk, eggs and butter; PLUS lists butter or oil as the cooking fat. If you don’t have these ready, you won’t be able to start straight away.
Read the preparation instructions before you finish shopping for your picnic.
A shaker bottle and a larger pack of mix won’t necessarily make the same number of pancakes. The pack size alone doesn’t tell you how many you can serve.
Check the stated yield for the exact version and work out how many packs you’ll need.
A word such as ‘complete’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the product contains. Ingredients you add yourself also count.
Read the current label, including information about possible traces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of checking labels if you have a food allergy.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can eat warm pancakes straight after cooking, or let them cool quickly and completely before taking them with you.
Cook them in good time so they can cool completely before you pack them. Keep any products that need to stay chilled cool during transport.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain, multigrain and wholemeal mixes.
ALDI lists Albona pancake mixes in plain and multigrain varieties.
Koopmans offers Original and Complete, among other options, and each requires different ingredients to prepare.
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g pack, available in store only.
These Koopmans varieties give you a choice of a pack mix, a complete mix or a shaker bottle. Check what you need to add to each pack and how many pancakes you want to make.
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A pack mix for anyone who wants to make pancakes at home and already has the ingredients to add. Koopmans says Original needs milk, eggs and butter; if allergens are a concern, check the label on this pack.
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A complete mix to consider if you want to cook with just a few separate ingredients. Koopmans describes Complete as a mix that only needs water; check the instructions and yield for this 210 g pack.
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A mix made with several types of grain, for anyone who wants to make up a 400 g pack at home. Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which grains and allergens are listed.
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A shaker bottle to consider if you’re looking for a smaller pack. Check what you need to add to this 175 g version and how many pancakes it makes before cooking for a group.
Koopmans says you only need to add water to Koopmans Pancakes Complete. The manufacturer lists milk, eggs and butter for Koopmans Original, so check the instructions for the variety you’re buying.
If you’ve made the pancakes in advance, let them cool quickly and completely before taking them with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating warm pancakes straight after cooking; keep any products that need to stay chilled cool during transport.
No. Read the allergen information on the exact pack and check the ingredients you add yourself too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of checking labels if you have a food allergy.
