Choose a wholemeal mix if the flour base is your top priority, or a complete mix if you want to make the batter by adding water alone. A classic or multigrain mix gives you the freedom to choose your own savoury toppings. If you need to avoid gluten, look for a mix labelled gluten-free. Whichever you choose, check what else you need to add and read the pack label.
If pancakes are the foundation of your savoury breakfast, it’s worth comparing the types of flour used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than products made with refined flour. Toppings also affect the nutritional make-up of the whole meal.
If you want to use fewer individual ingredients in your batter, look for a complete mix. For the Koopmans and PLUS varieties mentioned here, you add water to make the batter; you may still need butter or oil for cooking.
If you need to avoid gluten or another allergen, choose based on the claims and ingredients on the exact pack. For example, a gluten-free mix may still contain egg or milk.
First, decide what matters most for your savoury breakfast: the flour base, minimal preparation, allergens or the freedom to choose your toppings. Then check which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Check which wholemeal flours are listed in the ingredients and what you need to add yourself. | If pancakes are the foundation of my breakfast, I want to know which flour they contain. For around 31% of consumers, a wholemeal base is the top priority. |
| Easy-to-make batter | Check what you need to add to the batter and whether you’ll need butter or oil for cooking. | On a busy morning, I want to make the batter with as few individual ingredients as possible. For around 31% of consumers, convenience during preparation is the deciding factor. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I need to know whether this mix is suitable for me. Around 23% of consumers put this check first. |
| Savoury toppings | Check which savoury serving suggestions are given and how many pancakes the instructions say the mix makes. | With cheese, vegetables or bacon, I want to choose my own toppings. Around 15% of consumers prioritise the freedom to choose savoury toppings. |
A wholemeal mix may contain grains that contain gluten. For example, PLUS lists wholemeal wheat and oat flour in its wholemeal mix.
If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product specifically labelled gluten-free and check the pack for other allergens too.
For the complete mixes mentioned here, you only need to add water to make the batter, but the cooking instructions also call for butter or oil. The varieties reviewed also contain wheat, milk and egg.
Read both the preparation instructions and the ingredients and allergen information before choosing.
If you’re choosing a mix because of its allergens or a particular ingredient, the information on the exact pack matters. Lidl directs shoppers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of its food products.
Check the label when you buy, especially if a particular ingredient is a deciding factor for you.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than products made with refined flour. This describes the grain base, not necessarily the nutritional value of the pancake once you add toppings and cooking fat.
If you want to compare meals, assess the mix and the ingredients you add separately.
Offers a classic, a complete and a gluten-free pancake mix, among others. The key differences are how each variety is prepared and what ingredients it contains.
The AH wholemeal mix is an option if you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal flour base to pair with savoury toppings.
Offers both a wholemeal mix and a complete mix, with different flour bases and preparation methods.
ALDI sells plain and multigrain mixes under the Albona name. If the types of flour matter to you, check which variety is on the pack.
Lidl lists an original Belbake pancake mix in a 400 g pack, making around 12 pancakes.
These products suit a classic or multigrain base, or a batter made by adding water. Compare the preparation methods and check the packaging if the types of flour or allergens will determine your choice.
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A shaker mix for making savoury pancakes with minimal preparation. Add 400 ml of milk to make the batter; if you have an allergy, check the label on the exact pack.
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For making batter with water, then adding your own savoury topping. Add 350 ml of water; bear in mind the listed allergens—wheat, egg and milk—and read the cooking instructions on the pack.
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A classic base for choosing your own toppings, such as bacon or cheese. You’ll need 850 ml of milk and 2 eggs for the batter; the stated yield is 11 to 13 pancakes. The mix contains gluten-containing grains.
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A multigrain option if you’d like to add a savoury topping such as cheese. You’ll need 900 ml of milk and 2 eggs for the batter; the stated yield is 11 to 13 pancakes. If you’re looking for a predominantly wholemeal flour base, don’t rely on the name alone: compare the ingredients on the pack.
Choose a wholemeal mix if a wholemeal flour base is your main priority, or a classic mix if you mainly want the freedom to vary your toppings. For both, check which ingredients you need to add to make the batter and cook the pancakes.
For the complete mixes mentioned here, you add water to make the batter, but you may still need butter or oil for cooking. Check the allergens too: the varieties reviewed contain wheat, milk and egg.
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s free from egg or milk. The product information for the Koopmans gluten-free mix mentioned here says that it may contain egg and milk, so check the label on the exact pack.
Check the allergen information on the packaging of the mix you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly and correctly listed on the label.
