Which approach is right for you?

Organiser expecting to serve lots of portions

You want to match the number of packs to your expected sales without constantly opening new ones. Koopmans Professioneel offers pancake mixes in 5 kg bags, as well as 1 kg packs for smaller quantities.

Volunteer looking to simplify preparation

You don’t want the extra job of measuring and managing milk and eggs for the batter. PLUS and Koopmans complete mixes require water to be added; check the instructions for each variety to see what else you’ll need for cooking.

Organiser with an allergen protocol

You want to be able to tell visitors about the allergens present before they buy. If you also offer a gluten-free option, you’ll need to use separate equipment and provide a clean, gluten-free preparation area, as Sligro states for the Koopmans Professioneel mix in question.

What should you look for when choosing?

First work out how many pancakes you want to make, then compare the yield in the recipe rather than looking at pack weight alone. A 1 kg mix that only needs water may be a good middle ground between small packs and a 5 kg bag. A gluten-free option also requires a separate decision about preparation.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Portions and pack size Compare the recipe yield with the number of portions you plan to serve, and check that the stall has enough space for mixing and storage. If I’m expecting to make lots of pancakes, I don’t want to keep opening small packs, but I don’t want to buy far more than I need either. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion planning and pack size.
Preparation Check the instructions for each variety to see whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, and what fat you’ll need for cooking. With volunteers taking turns, I want to make sure the preparation is easy to hand over. Around 24% of consumers say that keeping preparation to a minimum is their main priority.
Allergens and separate preparation Check the label on the mix you buy and the school’s allergy policy. Decide whether you can prepare a gluten-free option separately. If visitors ask about allergens, I want to know what’s in the pancakes and what the stall can realistically do before sales begin. Around 29% of consumers give allergen information and practical separate preparation top priority.
Shopping list For each recipe you choose, note the mix, additional ingredients and cooking supplies needed for the quantity you plan to make. I want to organise all the ingredients in one go, so we don’t discover we’re missing something during the fair. This is the main shopping priority for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a complete mix is allergen-free

    Adding water doesn’t make a mix allergen-free. According to the product information, the PLUS Complete mix reviewed contains wheat, milk, egg and gluten-containing cereals.

    Use the current label to prepare allergen information for every variety you choose, and include any additional ingredients you use.

  • Planning for the mix alone

    According to the recipe, AH’s plain mix also needs 3 eggs, 800 ml of milk and cooking fat, in addition to a 400 g pack. These ingredients also affect how much preparation the stall needs.

    Write out the full method for your chosen mix before dividing up the shopping.

    Milk and eggs also need to be considered when planning storage and preparation.

  • Leaving allergen information until sales begin

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about allergens present in non-prepacked foods must be available where the products are offered for sale.

    Have the information ready before you open, and make sure volunteers can direct visitors to the correct details about the pancakes on offer.

  • Preparing a gluten-free mix with ordinary equipment

    Sligro states that the gluten-free vegan pancake mix from Koopmans Professioneel requires separate equipment and a clean, gluten-free preparation area to maintain its gluten-free status.

    Only offer it as gluten-free if the stall can genuinely prepare it separately.

    This may mean using separate bowls, whisks, spatulas and cooking equipment.

Brands to consider

Koopmans Professioneel

The range includes pancake mixes in 1 kg and 5 kg packs, including a 1 kg gluten-free vegan variety.

  • The choice of pack sizes and varieties gives you options when planning portions.
  • According to Sligro, the gluten-free vegan variety requires separate equipment and a clean, gluten-free preparation area.

Soubry

Sligro lists a 5 kg bag of Soubry egg pancake mix.

  • The pack size may suit a stall planning to serve lots of portions.
  • The listed mix contains wheat, milk, gluten-containing cereals and egg.

Maison Niels de Veye

Sligro lists a 1 kg pancake mix that you prepare by adding water.

  • It offers a smaller step up from 400 g packs, without going straight to a 5 kg bag.
  • The variety reviewed contains wheat, milk, gluten-containing cereals and egg.

AH

AH lists a 400 g plain mix, which the product page says makes around 12 pancakes.

  • The smaller pack makes it easier to plan quantities in smaller increments for each stall.
  • The recipe also requires eggs, milk and cooking fat; the mix contains oats and wheat.

Albona

ALDI lists 400 g packs of its own-brand Albona pancake mix.

  • Individual packs may suit a stall that wants to plan quantities in smaller increments.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack of the variety you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How much pancake mix do you need for a school fair?

Start with the number of pancakes you plan to make, then use the yield for the exact mix you’ve chosen to work out how much you need. AH says a 400 g pack of plain mix makes around 12 pancakes; Sligro lists around 13 pancakes per 500 g of Maison Niels de Veye mix. Remember to account for the pancake size specified in your chosen recipe.

Does a complete pancake mix only need water?

Some complete mixes need water instead of milk and eggs, but you may still need fat for cooking. PLUS says its complete mix needs 700 ml of water per pack, plus cooking butter or oil. Always follow the instructions for the variety you choose.

What allergen information must be available when selling unpackaged food?

Information about allergens present in unpackaged pancakes must be available before purchase. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available where the products are offered for sale. So, gather details about the mix and any added ingredients before the stall opens.

Can you cook gluten-free and regular pancakes alongside each other?

To offer a gluten-free option, you’ll need a process that prevents cross-contact with regular mix and cooking equipment. For Koopmans Professioneel’s gluten-free vegan mix, Sligro specifies separate equipment and a clean, gluten-free preparation area. Decide before sales begin whether the stall can arrange this.

How should you store unopened pancake mix?

Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you buy. AH and PLUS product information says to store their mixes in a cool, dry place; for the Soubry mix reviewed, Sligro recommends keeping it dry and preferably cool.