Families cooking for several people
You’ll want to know how many pancakes a pack makes and what other ingredients you’ll need. If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, a basic dry mix could suit your lunch.
Which mix is right for you?
Parents looking to keep preparation simple
You want to get fewer ingredients ready for the batter. A complete mix or shaker bottle could be a good fit, as long as the pack makes enough for everyone.
Households that need to check labels carefully
You’re looking for a particular type of grain or need to take allergens into account. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack: the words ‘wholegrain’ or ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you everything you need to know.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide how many pancakes you want to make, then check what you need to add to the batter and, finally, read the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for lunch | Check the pack size and stated yield, and remember to allow for any ingredients you need to add yourself. | If I’m cooking for several children, I want to know whether one pack will be enough. For around 50% of consumers, having enough for several people is the main priority. |
| Preparation | Check whether you’ll need water, milk, eggs and cooking fat, and how many pancakes the pack is said to make. | On a busy holiday, I don’t want to have to get lots of ingredients ready first. Less preparation is the main need for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I’m looking for a particular type of grain or need to take an allergen into account, I check the label first. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the quantity of mix
A basic dry mix and a complete mix don’t need the same extra ingredients. So the weight on the front of the pack won’t tell you what to get ready for making them.
Read the instructions and check which ingredients you’ll still need.
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ or ‘multigrain’ means gluten-free
A wholegrain or multigrain mix may contain grains that contain gluten. PLUS lists wheat and oats, among other ingredients, in its wholegrain mix.
If you have dietary restrictions, check the current ingredients and allergen information. Don’t rely on the variety name alone.
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Assuming a complete mix needs nothing else
Water is enough for the batter in PLUS Complete, but PLUS also recommends cooking butter or oil for frying.
Read the instructions for your chosen mix all the way through, including the cooking step, and check you have what you need at home.
Brands to consider
ALDI / Albona
ALDI’s Dutch baking-mix range includes Albona pancake mixes, including plain and multigrain varieties.
- You can choose between plain and multigrain in this range.
- Check the pack of the variety you’re buying in store.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, wholegrain and complete pancake mixes in 400 g packs.
- For PLUS Complete, you add water to make the batter.
- PLUS also recommends cooking butter or oil for preparing PLUS Complete. Check the label for allergens, too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers own-brand mixes in plain, multigrain and wholegrain varieties, as well as a ready-to-use multigrain mix.
- The range lets you choose between different types of mix and a ready-to-use product.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the pack for ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers its own plain and complete pancake mixes in 400 g packs, as well as other types of packaging in its range.
- You can compare a basic mix with a complete mix.
- Check the yield and instructions on each pack; the word ‘complete’ alone doesn’t tell you what to expect.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl’s baking range includes Belbake pancake mix in Original and multigrain varieties.
- There are two named grain varieties to compare.
- Lidl notes that some products in its baking range are only available in store.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers products including Pannenkoeken Origineel, a basic mix, and Schudfles Pannenkoeken Origineel, for making a smaller batch.
- Koopmans says the basic mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes, while the original shaker bottle makes around five.
- For the basic mix, Koopmans lists milk, eggs and butter; the original shaker bottle requires milk. Check the current label for both.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These Koopmans packs let you choose between a grain mix in a packet, a complete mix and a shaker bottle for a school holiday lunch. Choose a pack to suit the number of people you’re cooking for, and read the instructions for your chosen variety.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A pack to consider if you’re looking for a grain variety for lunch with several people. Check the pack for the stated yield, any ingredients you need to add and allergen information.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to get fewer separate ingredients ready for the batter. Before cooking, check what you need to add to this variety and whether the stated yield will be enough.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
A shaker bottle to consider for a smaller lunch, when you want to mix the batter in the bottle. Check how many pancakes this variety makes, what you need to add and which allergens are listed on the label.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose enough pancake mix for lunch?
Check the stated yield per pack and the number of people you’re feeding, not just the weight of the mix. Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack and Schudfles Pannenkoeken Origineel makes around five. Check the yield of other varieties separately.
Which mix needs less preparation?
A complete mix can mean fewer ingredients for the batter, while a shaker bottle can make mixing easier. PLUS says to use water for the batter and cooking butter or oil for frying its complete mix; Koopmans says its original shaker bottle requires milk. Read the instructions on the pack you choose.
Is a wholegrain or multigrain mix gluten-free?
Not necessarily: the PLUS wholegrain mix lists wheat and oats. If you need to avoid gluten, check the current ingredients and allergen information, and look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the product.
Should I check the ingredients on the pack?
Yes, especially if allergens or a particular type of grain are important to you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels. Albert Heijn also notes that product information can change.