For the new school year, the best way to choose a pancake mix is to consider how it’s prepared and how many people you’re feeding, rather than focusing on the word ‘premium’. A complete mix can mean you need fewer extra ingredients; with a wholemeal or multigrain mix, check the types of flour and what you need to add yourself. If the pancakes are going to school or will be shared there, check the current allergen label and the school’s policies too.
When time is short at the start of the school year, what matters most is what you need in addition to the mix. A complete mix can reduce your shopping list, but check whether you need cooking fat and what the pack says about prepared batter.
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal, multigrain or buckwheat, compare the ingredients in each variant. You may also need to add milk and eggs to the batter.
If someone needs to avoid gluten, milk, eggs or other allergens, the full information on the current pack matters more than the product name alone. For food that’s taken in or shared, the preparation method and the school or childcare setting’s policies also matter.
Start with the meal you want to make: how many pancakes do you need, what do you already have at home, and are there any allergen policies to follow? Then compare the types of flour and the preparation instructions for the exact variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk, eggs or cooking fat, and whether prepared batter needs to be used straight away. | If I want to bake on a busy day, I don’t want to have to buy extra ingredients first or store the batter. For around 25% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Types of flour and flavour preferences | Check which types of flour are in the mix and compare nutritional information, such as fibre, on the same basis. | If you’re looking for a mix with whole grains or buckwheat, you’ll want to know what’s actually in the pack. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school policies | Check the current label, including any ‘may contain’ statements, and find out what the school’s policy is on bringing in or sharing food. | When I’m baking for someone who needs to avoid certain allergens, the full ingredient list must be suitable, and I want to avoid contact with unsuitable ingredients during preparation. For around 25% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Yield and leftovers | Compare the stated number of pancakes with the number of people you’re feeding, and read the instructions for prepared batter and cooked pancakes. | For a small group, I don’t want to make more batter than I can use; for more people, one pack needs to be enough. Around 17% of consumers prioritise planning portions in this way. |
The word doesn’t tell you which types of flour, preparation steps or allergens apply to a particular mix. An organic label or a shake bottle also answers a different question from ease of preparation or choosing a gluten-free option.
Decide which feature matters for your meal, then compare the ingredients and instructions for the exact variants.
A gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. For example, Albert Heijn states that Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij may contain eggs and milk.
Read the full allergen information on the current pack, check what you’ll be adding yourself, and take care during preparation to avoid contact through ingredients and kitchen utensils.
One pack may need very few extra ingredients, while another mix requires milk and eggs. The number of pancakes per pack also varies by variant.
Before choosing a pack, compare the ingredients you need to add and the stated yield with the number of people you’re feeding.
Storage instructions depend on the product and what you want to keep. PLUS says its pancake mix in a bottle should be used straight after mixing with milk.
Follow the instructions on the exact pack, and check separately what applies to dry mix, prepared batter and cooked pancakes.
Offers separate variants for different preparation methods and ingredient preferences.
The Meergranen Shake & Bake variant reviewed comes in a shake bottle and makes a smaller quantity.
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking for a gluten-free pancake mix.
The Bio Boekweit variant is worth considering if you’re looking for buckwheat as an ingredient.
A supermarket own brand to compare if you’re looking for a standard pancake mix.
These mixes offer options for minimal preparation, different types of flour and a range of pack sizes. Check what each product requires for preparation; a product name or familiar type of flour is no substitute for checking the label.
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A complete mix to consider if you want to keep extra ingredients to a minimum. The pack contains 210 g; read the preparation instructions and allergen label before making it for school.
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An option if the types of grain used are your main consideration. This is a 400 g pack; check the ingredients, what you need to add and the allergens for this variant.
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A standard mix to compare with the Complete and Wholegrains variants if you’re making the batter yourself. The pack contains 400 g; check the pack to see what you need to add and which allergens apply to this variant.
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A smaller pack to consider if you don’t want to use a large one straight away. The mix contains 100 g; before cooking, check the preparation instructions, nutritional information and allergens on the current label.
Don’t assume that a standard mix is gluten-free: several regular variants contain cereals with gluten. If you need to avoid gluten, check that the product is labelled gluten-free and read the full, current label for your chosen product, including information on other allergens.
Ask in advance which ingredients and allergens are in the mix and anything added to it, and what arrangements the school has for sharing food. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information for pre-packed foods appears on the label; the added ingredients and preparation method also matter for the finished pancakes.
Follow the instructions for the exact mix. PLUS says its pancake mix in a bottle should be used straight after mixing with milk and must not be stored; don’t assume the same product instructions apply to other variants.
