Cooking for a large group
You want to make sure there are enough pancakes for everyone. Check the yield per pack and whether you’ll also need milk, eggs and fat for frying.
Which approach works best for you?
Hosts short on preparation time
You want to be able to mix the batter quickly during the evening. A mix that only needs water, or a shaker bottle, can reduce the number of separate ingredients or steps involved.
Guests with dietary requirements or allergies
You need to be able to check which ingredients and allergens are in the mix for your guest. Check the label on the pack you choose, even if it’s described as plain or wholegrain.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how many pancakes you want to make and how much preparation suits the evening. Then check that your chosen mix and planned toppings are suitable for guests with dietary requirements or allergies.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantities for a group | Check the pack weight, stated yield and which ingredients you need to add yourself. | When I’m cooking for lots of guests, I want to work out in advance how many packs and extra ingredients I’ll need. Around 37% of consumers put this first. |
| Preparation | Check whether you need to add milk, eggs or water, and whether you mix the batter in a bowl or a shaker bottle. | I don’t want to keep measuring out separate ingredients during the party. For around 27% of consumers, less preparation is the main priority. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack you buy. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to assess the mix and toppings separately. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Room for toppings | Check the ingredients in the mix and plan sweet and savoury toppings separately. | I want guests to be able to choose different toppings without making a different batter for every combination. For around 18% of consumers, this is the main reason to consider the base mix. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing pack weight alone
The weight doesn’t tell you how many pancakes the pack is said to make or which ingredients you’ll need to add.
Check the yield and preparation instructions before deciding how many packs you’ll need for your group.
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Assuming plain, wholegrain or organic means gluten-free
These descriptions don’t, by themselves, mean that a mix is gluten-free. For example, the Jumbo Naturel mix described here contains cereals containing gluten.
If gluten-free is essential, choose a product explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the other allergens and any cross-contamination warnings too.
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Relying only on ingredient information online
Product information can change. If a guest has dietary restrictions, the information needs to match the product you actually buy.
Check the label on the pack before cooking and assess the toppings separately.
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Comparing frozen pancakes with dry mix
Ready-made frozen pancakes need reheating, while dry pancake mix is used to make your own batter. They’re different options for preparing your evening.
First decide whether you want to cook from scratch or heat ready-made pancakes, then compare products within that category.
Brands with relevant pancake mixes
Koopmans
Koopmans offers mixes in packs and shaker bottles. The brand’s ready-made frozen pancakes are a different type of product.
- Koopmans says its original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack.
- You need to add milk, eggs and butter or oil to the original mix; the shaker bottle is a different preparation option.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes plain, complete and grain-based options.
- The plain shaker mix described is intended for a smaller batch of four to six pancakes.
- Albert Heijn says product information can change, so check the current label for ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes plain, complete and organic pancake mixes.
- The 400 g Jumbo Naturel mix is an option if you want to make your own batter.
- The ingredient information for this plain variety lists wheat, buckwheat and oats, and states that it may contain barley, egg and milk; check the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain mix and a 400 g complete mix, which require different ingredients to prepare.
- The preparation instructions for PLUS Complete call for 700 ml of water and butter or oil for frying.
- PLUS Naturel requires milk, eggs and fat for frying.
Albona (ALDI)
Albona offers a 400 g plain pancake mix for making your own batter.
- For the plain mix described, you need to add milk and eggs.
- Check the information on the pack you choose in store.
Belbake (Lidl)
Lidl lists the original Belbake pancake mix as an in-store product.
- Lidl lists a 400 g pack, which makes around twelve pancakes.
- Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Koopmans mixes for making your own
These Koopmans products are dry mixes for homemade pancakes: packs for making a larger batch, and shaker bottles for smaller portions or topping up your supply.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A packet mix for making your own batter for a larger batch. Koopmans says its original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; you’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil to prepare it.
If you have dietary requirements or allergies, check the label on the pack you buy.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A packet mix for making your own batter with the Wholegrains variety. Remember to include milk, eggs and fat for frying when planning your shopping.
If you have dietary requirements, check the grains, ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete shaker bottle 210 g
This shaker bottle is handy for a small batch or for making a few extra pancakes. Joybuy’s product information says to add 350 ml of water and gives a yield of four to six pancakes per bottle.
You’ll need several bottles for a larger group. Check the allergens on the label.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle for mixing a smaller amount of batter. You’ll need milk for this variety; if you’re cooking for several guests, check the preparation instructions and yield before buying.
If you have dietary requirements or allergies, check the bottle’s label too.
Frequently asked questions
Which pancake mix needs few extra ingredients?
The PLUS Complete mix described needs 700 ml of water and butter or oil for frying; Joybuy says the Koopmans Complete shaker bottle needs 350 ml of water. Check the preparation instructions and label for each product: needing fewer additional ingredients doesn’t mean the mix is allergen-free.
Can I use an ordinary pancake mix if a guest needs to avoid gluten, milk or eggs?
Don’t assume so: the ingredients vary between mixes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label. If gluten-free is essential, choose a mix explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the other ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the pack you buy.
How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?
Store it in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it well, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the pack before use and follow any storage instructions on the packaging.
Are frozen pancakes the same as pancake mix?
No. Ready-made frozen pancakes need reheating, while dry pancake mix is used to make batter before you cook the pancakes yourself. Choose between these product types based on how much you want to prepare yourself during your world food night.