Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents who want to make pancakes in advance

A mix that needs few extra ingredients makes it easier to prepare pancakes at home for the school day. Also check how many pancakes the pack is said to make according to the instructions.

Lunch-makers following an allergen arrangement

If the lunch needs to take account of gluten, milk or egg, the label on the exact pack matters. For a strictly gluten-free lunch, preparation and packing are important too, as the Dutch Coeliac Association emphasises in its guidance for schools.

Shoppers looking for a different flavour

A flavoured version can add variety. Before buying, check whether the product is actually being sold as a limited edition and whether its ingredients and preparation method are suitable for the lunch.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the arrangements for the school lunch, then check what you need to make the pancakes, and only then choose a flavour. Attractive packaging alone tells you nothing about allergens or whether a product is a limited edition.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Allergens and school arrangements Read the latest label on the exact pack and agree any necessary allergen arrangements with the school and parents or carers in advance. For a strictly gluten-free lunch, avoid contact with gluten during preparation. If the lunch needs to meet an allergen arrangement, I don’t want to pack a mix that conflicts with it. Around 46% of consumers put suitability first.
Preparation and extra ingredients Compare the preparation instructions, required ingredients and stated yield. According to the product information at Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete needs 700 ml of water to make around 10 pancakes; the HomeMade multigrain Shake & Bake described requires milk and cooking fat. When I have to make pancakes before school, I want to know what I need to have at home besides the mix. For around 36% of consumers, preparation is the top priority.
Flavour and current product status If you want a limited edition, check the current product name and the information about ingredients and allergens. Don’t rely on a flavour name or an old product photo alone. If I want to pack a different flavour for a change, I first look for a version that is actually on sale. Flavour comes first for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a regular mix as gluten-free

    The product information at Albert Heijn lists wheat and rye in Koopmans Complete. This mix is not suitable for a strictly gluten-free lunch.

    If you need a gluten-free option, choose a suitable product labelled as gluten-free, check the latest label and agree the preparation and packing arrangements with the school and parents or carers.

  • Mistaking a flavoured version for a current limited edition

    A different flavour doesn’t prove that a product is a limited edition. A product page may also remain visible after an item has been discontinued.

    Check the latest product information before choosing a particular edition; a regular flavoured version isn’t automatically the same thing.

  • Planning for the mix alone

    Different mixes need different additions: according to the product information at Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete needs water, while the HomeMade multigrain Shake & Bake described requires milk and cooking fat.

    Read the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and include all the ingredients you need to add in your allergen check.

Brands to compare

Koopmans

Koopmans offers, among other options, complete, wholemeal, gluten-free and speculoos versions. Compare the flavour, preparation method and allergens on each pack.

  • According to the product information at Albert Heijn, you only need to add water to Koopmans Complete.
  • This Complete version contains wheat, milk, egg and rye; you’ll need to check the details of other Koopmans versions separately.

HomeMade

The multigrain Shake & Bake is an example of a mix that you combine with milk in the pack.

  • The product information at Albert Heijn states that this version makes around eight pancakes.
  • The same page says that this item has been discontinued. The version contains gluten-containing cereals and egg powder, and may contain milk.

Albona

ALDI lists, among other options, plain and multigrain pancake mixes under its own-brand label, Albona.

  • The versions mentioned give you a choice between plain and multigrain.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation method on the pack you choose; the name of the version alone doesn’t tell you everything.

Pancake mix on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a child who needs to eat strictly gluten-free have regular pancake mix?

Not without checking whether the exact product is suitable: according to the product information at Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete contains wheat and rye, among other ingredients. For children with coeliac disease, the Dutch Coeliac Association emphasises the importance of eating strictly gluten-free, so you should also avoid contact with gluten during preparation and packing.

Do I need to cook the pancakes through before putting them in a lunchbox?

Yes, cook the batter through before packing the pancakes. The product information for Koopmans Complete at Albert Heijn says that the batter is not meant to be eaten raw and must be heated all the way through.

How can I check whether a limited edition is still available?

Just before buying, check the latest product information or the retailer’s range and confirm that the exact product is described as a limited edition. An existing product page isn’t enough: for example, the Albert Heijn page for HomeMade multigrain Shake & Bake says that the item has been discontinued.