Canteens that vary their toppings
Looking for a familiar pancake base that can be served with different sweet and savoury combinations each day. Koopmans describes both uses for its original mix.
Which canteens is this for?
Lunch teams with a short serving rush
Want to measure out fewer ingredients before cooking starts. Albert Heijn says that you only need to add water to Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix.
Canteens serving several types of pancake
Want to offer a multigrain, buckwheat or dessert option alongside the regular pancake, and need to check the ingredients, allergens and portion yield for each recipe.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want a mix that offers flexibility for changing toppings, reduces preparation or adds a separate option to your range. Then test how it cooks using your actual pan size and portion during a comparable lunch rush.
Original base mix
Choose this when: you want one pancake base for both lunch dishes and desserts.
Bear in mind: you’ll need extra ingredients and preparation to make the batter.
Complete mix
Choose this when: your team wants to measure out fewer basic ingredients before the serving rush.
Bear in mind: cooking time and the separate allergen information for toppings and cooking fat.
Multigrain or buckwheat option
Choose this when: you want a separate type of pancake to give your menu more choice.
Bear in mind: a grain in the product name does not, by itself, mean it is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Dessert speciality
Choose this when: you’re aiming to offer a specific dessert special, such as Kaiserschmarrn.
Bear in mind: it calls for a different preparation method and serving portion from a regular thin pancake.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Varied dishes | Check which ingredients the batter requires and work out the yield for your preferred portion size. | If I want to serve both a savoury lunch and a dessert using the same base, I want to vary the toppings without having to choose a different batter each time. An estimated 40% of consumers put this menu flexibility first. |
| Lunch rush | Compare the liquid and preparation required; test how many portions your available pans can handle during service. | When a queue builds quickly, I want to prepare the batter with minimal steps without underestimating the cooking time. An estimated 30% of consumers put reducing preparation first. |
| Range and allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergens for each mix, and record those for the toppings, sauce and cooking fat too. | If I want to offer a separate multigrain, buckwheat or dessert option, the menu description needs to match the full recipe. An estimated 30% of consumers prioritise this combination of choice and clear allergen information. |
Common mistakes
-
Looking only for a speciality mix to create a premium menu
An original pancake mix can also be the base for a changing selection of sweet and savoury dishes. Choosing a different mix doesn’t replace the need to decide on toppings and presentation.
First decide what you want to serve, then compare the finished portions, including the ingredients and preparation required.
Extra toppings and presentation take preparation, while unused ingredients can lead to waste.
-
Confusing multigrain with gluten-free
According to Koopmans, Koopmans Multigrain Pancakes contain wheat, rye, oats and barley, among other ingredients. So ‘multigrain’ does not mean gluten-free.
If you plan to offer a gluten-free option, use the current information on the exact packaging and assess the risk of cross-contact during preparation too.
-
Recording only the allergens in the mix
For pancakes served unpackaged, allergen information relates to the dish the customer receives, not just the packet of mix. Toppings, sauce and cooking fat may also be relevant.
Create a recipe card for each serving option, listing all ingredients and allergens present, so your team can answer questions during service. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergen information for unpackaged foods.
-
Assuming a complete mix will solve the lunch rush
Adding water can reduce batter preparation, but your pans and staff still determine how many portions you can cook at once.
Test the process using your planned portion and pan size, and organise service into manageable batches. Keep perishable toppings chilled.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Offers original, complete and multigrain pancake mixes, among others: different options for a basic dish or an extra choice on the menu.
- Koopmans says a pack of Pancakes Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Albert Heijn says its Complete mix needs only water and makes around 10 pancakes.
- According to Koopmans, the multigrain mix contains wheat, rye, oats and barley, among other ingredients, so its name alone does not make it suitable for a gluten-free menu description.
Dr. Oetker
Kaiserschmarrn and American pancakes are separate types of mix for a dessert speciality, rather than a regular thin pancake.
- Jumbo lists both types in its range of pancake mixes.
- For a canteen special, check the preparation method and the number of servings for the option you choose.
Smaakt
The 400 g Organic Buckwheat Pancake Mix offers a separate buckwheat option for your range.
- Jumbo lists this as a pancake mix from Smaakt.
- Don’t assume that ‘buckwheat’ means the product is suitable for a particular allergy or diet; check the current label and the full recipe.
Jumbo
Its own range includes regular and complete pancake mixes, as well as other options.
- The range lets you compare different types of mix for the same serving concept.
- Choose based on the ingredients, preparation and yield of the exact product, not just because it’s a supermarket own brand.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes suit a pancake base with changing toppings or a separate multigrain option. Preparation and allergens vary by recipe, so match your portions to your canteen’s cooking capacity.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker mix to consider if your team wants to prepare batter in individual bottles for pancakes with different toppings.
Pack size: 175 g. Check the preparation instructions and the allergens in the mix and additions for the complete serving recipe.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A multigrain option for a separate type of pancake alongside your regular base.
Pack size: 400 g. Koopmans says its multigrain mix contains wheat, rye, oats and barley, among other ingredients; don’t treat it as gluten-free. Check the current label and all additions to the dish.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
An original base for a menu where toppings vary between savoury lunch dishes and desserts.
Pack size: 400 g. Koopmans says a pack of Pancakes Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes; use your planned portion size to assess the yield for your own service.
Frequently asked questions
Does a canteen need to provide allergen information for unpackaged pancakes?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be given information about the allergens present in unpackaged foods. Include the complete serving option, including toppings, sauce and cooking fat, and make sure the information is available alongside the food on offer.
Is ‘contains gluten’ enough for a multigrain pancake?
For cereals containing gluten, check exactly which grains are in the recipe. Koopmans says its multigrain mix contains wheat, rye, oats and barley, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires the relevant gluten-containing cereals to be clearly identified in allergen information.
Is a multigrain or buckwheat mix automatically gluten-free?
No, those product names aren’t enough to establish that. According to the manufacturer, Koopmans Multigrain Pancakes contain wheat, rye, oats and barley, among other ingredients. Check any gluten-free claim against the exact product packaging and take cross-contact into account during preparation.
Can you serve raw pancake batter as part of a dessert?
Don’t do this with the Koopmans Complete mix reviewed here: the product information says the batter must be heated all the way through. Check the preparation instructions for any other mix before deciding how to serve it.
How can you keep perishable toppings safe during lunch service?
Keep perishable toppings chilled and only put out what you need during service. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them at 4 °C and discarding perishable products that have been out of the fridge for more than two hours.