Travellers who cook at home
You want to cook the pancakes before you set off and take them along as a snack. Check which ingredients you still need to add, how many pancakes each pack makes and how to store them during your journey.
Who might find it handy to cook pancakes in advance?
Travellers looking for wholegrains
You compare the grains used and the nutritional information for each mix. Only compare fibre, sugars and salt if the values are given on the same basis, for example per 100 g of uncooked product.
Travellers avoiding gluten
You need a gluten-free option, so look beyond terms such as wholegrain or multigrain. Check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether a dietary restriction determines your choice. Then compare what you’ll need to add and cook before setting off, how many pancakes you need and which nutritional values matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g on the same basis: prepared with prepared, or unprepared with unprepared. | I want to use wholegrains in the pancakes I take with me, and I want to know what’s in the mix. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Fewer separate ingredients | Check whether the mix needs water or milk, and whether you need to add eggs. You’ll still need cooking equipment and fat for frying. | If I’m setting off early, I want to make the batter with as few separate ingredients as possible. This preparation is the biggest consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Yield and a familiar base | Check the stated yield per pack and which ingredients you need to add yourself. | If I’m cooking for several travellers, I’d rather make enough pancakes in advance using a classic mix. Around 23% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the gluten-free claim, ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid gluten, the pack determines which mixes I can consider; taste or yield comes afterwards. For around 15% of consumers, this is the first thing they look for. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that wholegrain products contain more fibre than comparable products made from refined flour. However, that doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of a complete snack: compare mixes using the same nutritional basis and take into account what you add to the batter or cooked pancakes yourself.
Common mistakes
-
Treating wholegrain, multigrain and gluten-free as if they mean the same thing
These terms answer different questions. A wholegrain or multigrain mix can contain gluten-containing grains, while a gluten-free mix may still contain other allergens.
Start with any dietary restriction you need to follow, then read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the pack you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists gluten-containing cereals, eggs and milk separately in its allergen information.
-
Assuming a complete mix is a ready-to-eat snack
‘Complete’ can mean that you only need to add water to the mix; it doesn’t mean the pancakes have already been cooked. PLUS Complete’s instructions also mention butter or oil for frying.
If you don’t want to cook, don’t use a pancake mix as a substitute for a ready-to-eat snack. If you’re cooking in advance, allow time for the pancakes to cool and store them appropriately.
-
Relying only on an online product description
Ingredients and nutritional information can vary between products or change over time. A description of one variant doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed on another pack.
Before buying, check the current label on the exact mix you’re taking with you, especially if someone in your party needs to avoid certain ingredients.
Brands and ranges to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers original, wholegrain, gluten-free and complete pancake mixes, among others. The ingredients you need to add depend on the variant.
- For its Pannenkoeken Volkoren mix, Koopmans lists ingredients including wholegrain oat and wheat flour.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on each pack, as these vary between Koopmans mixes.
Albert Heijn / AH
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH mixes in varieties such as plain, complete, multigrain and wholegrain, alongside other brands.
- The different varieties let you compare the preparation method and ingredients for each product.
- Read the label on the pack you’ve chosen; a range overview is no substitute for product information.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain, complete and wholegrain mixes under its own name, as well as branded products.
- Jumbo lists ingredients including 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholegrain oat flour in its 400 g Volkoren mix.
- This particular mix contains gluten. Check the current pack for other allergens and possible traces.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain and complete pancake mixes, among others. The distinction is particularly useful if you want to know what you need to add to the batter yourself.
- According to the instructions, PLUS Complete needs water, while PLUS Naturel needs milk and eggs.
- According to the product information, PLUS Complete contains wheat, milk and eggs. Check the current pack if you have dietary restrictions.
ALDI / Albona
ALDI lists a 400 g Albona multigrain pancake mix.
- It’s clearly identified as a multigrain option for anyone who wants to compare the grains used.
- If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, base your choice on the ingredients and information on the pack, not just the multigrain label.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Pannenkoekenmix Origineel, a 400 g original pancake mix, as an in-store product.
- The product information gives a yield of around 12 pancakes, which is useful when planning a batch to cook before you set off.
- Check the in-store label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes are for cooking pancakes before your road trip. The shaker bottle is an option if you want to add very little; for the other packs, consider the type of mix, the ingredients you’ll need and the yield.
No image available
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For anyone who wants to cook a small batch before setting off without adding milk or eggs to the batter. Joybuy’s product information for this shaker bottle specifies 350 ml of water and a yield of 4 to 6 pancakes; you’ll still need a pan and cooking fat.
If anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the current allergen information on the pack.
No image available
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone who wants to cook pancakes before setting off and take the grains used into account. Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and how many pancakes it makes.
Only compare fibre, sugars and salt with another mix if both nutrition tables use the same basis. If you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen information too.
No image available
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone looking for an original mix to cook a batch of pancakes at home. Before you start, check the yield per pack and make sure you have the ingredients listed in the preparation instructions.
Don’t taste the batter raw; follow the cooking instructions and check the current label if you have dietary restrictions.
No image available
Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g
For anyone considering a 100 g pack to make batter at home. Check the label to see how many pancakes you can make and which ingredients you need to add before planning portions for your trip.
The product name isn’t a basis for drawing nutritional conclusions; use the nutritional information on the pack if you want to compare the ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix needs few extra ingredients before you set off?
A complete mix or shaker bottle can cut down on preparation. According to the product information, you add water to PLUS Complete; Joybuy says to add 350 ml of water to Koopmans Schudfles Compleet. Both options still need to be cooked in a pan with cooking fat.
Does wholegrain only mean a different flavour?
No, wholegrain refers to the grain used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that wholegrain products contain more fibre than comparable products made from refined flour. To compare a specific mix, check the nutritional information per 100 g using the same basis for preparation.
Is a multigrain mix suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
The term multigrain doesn’t confirm that a mix is gluten-free. Choose based on the gluten-free claim on the exact pack, and check for other allergens and any warnings about possible traces too.
Can I taste pancake batter raw?
Don’t taste the batter raw if the product instructions say it must be cooked thoroughly. Albert Heijn gives this instruction for Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij; follow the directions on the pack of the mix you’re using.
How should I take pre-cooked pancakes with me?
Leave the pancakes to cool after cooking and follow the storage instructions for the mix you’ve chosen. If the cooked pancakes need to be kept chilled, keep them cool during your journey too; don’t automatically apply the storage time for a different variant.