Comparing pack sizes and ingredients
You want to know how much mix you’re buying and what else you’ll need to make the batter. For the PLUS Naturel mix reviewed, you’ll need milk, eggs and cooking fat; PLUS Complete calls for water and cooking fat.
Who do the differences matter to?
Shoppers who want to add as little as possible
You’d rather keep your shopping list short. If so, check the preparation instructions for the complete mix you choose: according to the product information from PLUS and Koopmans, the complete varieties reviewed only need water and cooking fat.
Shoppers looking for a gluten-free option
You’re looking for a mix specifically labelled as gluten-free. Check the other ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose too: gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from egg or milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which ingredients you’re happy to add and whether you need a specific allergen label. Then consider which pack size suits how often you make pancakes.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients to add | Check which ingredients you’ll need in addition to the mix, and the size of the pack you’re buying. | I already have milk and eggs at home and don’t want to buy extra ingredients just to make one batch of batter. Around 36% of consumers put the ingredients they need to buy first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you can use water or also need to add milk and eggs; remember to check which cooking fat you’ll need too. | I like to keep the recipe simple by adding only water. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the label for the variety you’ve chosen, along with its current ingredients and allergen information. | I need to know whether a mix meets my specific dietary requirements; around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the pack size with how much you use and read the storage instructions. | If I don’t make pancakes very often, I want a pack I can store properly or use up in time. The right pack size is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Forgetting what you need to add to the mix
Plain and complete mixes don’t call for the same ingredients. According to the product information, PLUS Naturel needs milk, eggs and cooking fat, while PLUS Complete is made with water and cooking fat.
Before buying, read the recipe on the pack you’ve chosen and check what you already have at home.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
According to the product information, the Koopmans variety labelled as gluten-free may contain egg and milk.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety every time you buy it.
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Choosing a large pack without somewhere to store it
If your household doesn’t make pancakes very often, it’s worth considering whether you can store an opened pack properly.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing pancake mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
A pack that gets damp or is left open may lose quality.
Brands to consider
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI own-brand mixes, including the plain and multigrain varieties reviewed, in packs of around 400 g.
- The plain and multigrain varieties let you choose between two types of basic mix.
- Check the ingredients you need to add and the full ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
PLUS
Own-brand pancake mixes, including the plain and complete varieties reviewed.
- PLUS Naturel needs milk and eggs; PLUS Complete needs water and cooking fat. This means you can choose based on what you’d like to add.
- According to the product information, the complete variety reviewed contains wheat, milk and egg.
Koopmans
A brand offering pancake mixes including Original, Complete and varieties labelled as gluten-free.
- According to the product information reviewed, Koopmans Compleet is made with water.
- The gluten-free variety reviewed needs milk and eggs; the product information also states that it may contain egg and milk.
Albert Heijn
Own-brand pancake mixes in a range of varieties, including plain, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and spelt.
- You can compare the type of mix and pack size across the varieties you’re considering.
- Check the preparation instructions and ingredients for each variety, as they may differ.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl’s baking brand, with an original pancake mix reviewed in a 400 g pack.
- Lidl states that this pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Compare the stated yield with the amount you usually make.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
This selection includes a shaker, a wholemeal mix, an original mix and a complete mix. Choose based on the pack size you want, and check which ingredients you need to add for each product.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
The 175 g shaker pack is an option if you’re looking for a smaller pack. Check the packaging to see what you need to add when preparing it.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
This wholemeal mix comes in a 400 g pack and is a good fit if you’re looking for this variety. Read the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
This original 400 g mix is an option if you’re looking for a basic mix. Check which ingredients you’ll need in addition to the mix.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
This 210 g complete mix is a good fit if you’re looking for a smaller pack of this type. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to add to plain or complete pancake mix?
It depends on the variety. According to the product information, PLUS Naturel needs milk, eggs and cooking fat, while PLUS Complete is made with water and cooking fat. Follow the instructions on the pack of the mix you buy.
Is gluten-free pancake mix also free from egg and milk?
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t mean that. The product information for the Koopmans Glutenvrij variety reviewed states that it may contain egg and milk. Check the allergen information for the exact variety.
Where can I find allergen information?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) lists 14 allergens that must be declared on the label.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store the pack in a cool, dry, dark place and keep it tightly sealed, as recommended by the Voedingscentrum. Also check the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging.