Choose a pancake mix based on the ingredients you want to add and any dietary or allergen requirements. But don’t expect thicker pancakes just because you’ve chosen a particular mix. Albert Heijn and PLUS instructions for several varieties describe batter that spreads thinly across the pan, so make a test batch at home if the shape of your snack matters. If you’re making pancakes in advance, you’ll also need a plan for storing and transporting them.
If you want to make pancakes in advance and take them with you in pieces, the main thing to consider is how the cooked portions look and feel. Instructions for various Albert Heijn and PLUS mixes describe batter that spreads thinly; a test batch will show whether your method gives you the snack shape you want.
A complete mix means fewer ingredients to add: according to Albert Heijn and PLUS, the complete mixes mentioned here only need water, as well as cooking fat for the pan. A shaker bottle means less equipment to wash, but PLUS says to use the prepared batter from the bottle straight away.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for each variety. Even a mix labelled gluten-free may come with a warning about other allergens: PLUS says its gluten-free Koopmans mix may contain egg and milk.
Start with the ingredients that matter to you, then compare what you need to add and how many portions you’ll need. If you’re aiming for firm pieces, see how well they hold their shape after making a test batch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Snack shape and thickness | Read the preparation instructions and try a small batch before making pancakes for your trip. | If I want to take pancakes with me in convenient pieces, I want to see whether my cooked portions hold the shape I’m after. For around 36% of consumers, snack shape comes first. |
| Preparation | Compare which ingredients you need to add and whether prepared batter needs to be used straight away. | If I’m setting off early, I want to be able to make the pancakes in advance without getting lots of separate ingredients ready. Around 29% of consumers say simple preparation is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and allergen information, even for a mix with a dietary claim. | If I need a variety that suits my dietary requirements, I also need to check for other potential allergens. For around 21% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the most important consideration. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the pack weight and the yield stated by the manufacturer for each variety. | If I’m travelling with several people, I want to make enough portions without preparing more mix than I need. Getting the quantity right is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Instructions for several standard mixes from Albert Heijn and PLUS describe a thin layer of batter that spreads across the bottom of the pan. The name of the mix doesn’t tell you how firm your portions will be.
Check whether the pack gives specific guidance for the shape you want. If not, make a test batch first.
PLUS says to use the prepared batter from its shaker bottle straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says pancakes can be kept in the fridge for up to two days and advises not leaving food that spoils quickly out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Make the pancakes before you set off, cool them quickly, and choose packaging and chilled transport to suit the length of your journey and the filling.
PLUS says its gluten-free Koopmans mix may contain egg and milk. So a claim on the front of the pack doesn’t replace the rest of the allergen information.
Check the current packaging every time you buy, including the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Koopmans offers a complete mix, a shaker bottle and a specifically gluten-free pancake mix, among other options.
The own-label range includes wholemeal and multigrain mixes for anyone looking for a specific type of grain.
PLUS offers plain and complete packet mixes, as well as a plain shaker bottle, each with different preparation steps.
Albona is the brand of a 400 g multigrain pancake mix described by ALDI.
Lidl describes Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a 400 g pack that makes around 12 pancakes.
You can’t tell that from the mixes mentioned here. Instructions from Albert Heijn and PLUS describe batter that spreads thinly for several varieties. If the shape of your snack is essential, make a test batch using your pan and the portion size you want.
A complete mix is an option if you don’t want to add milk and eggs to the batter: according to Albert Heijn and PLUS, the complete mixes mentioned here are made with water, as well as cooking fat for the pan. A shaker bottle means less equipment to wash, but PLUS says to use the prepared batter from the bottle straight away.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says pancakes can be kept in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months. Cool them quickly and store them in an airtight container; also bear in mind any filling you add.
Use chilled transport if the pancakes or filling need to be kept cold. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving food that spoils quickly out of the fridge for more than two hours, so take your journey time and when you plan to eat the snack into account.
Not necessarily. PLUS says its gluten-free Koopmans mix may contain egg and milk. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the specific variety you’re buying.
