For your first food shop, start by choosing a mix with preparation instructions that suit you. Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete require water for the batter, while other varieties may also need milk and eggs. If you’re specifically looking for seeds, check the ingredients list: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that a mix contains seeds. Also check the packaging for any grains and allergens that matter to you.
A complete mix can make your first food shop easier. According to product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS, Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete need water for the batter; you’ll still need fat for cooking.
Compare the ingredients in wholemeal and multigrain mixes separately. The ingredients lists for AH Volkoren and AH Meergranen name different grains, but the wording on the front of a pack won’t tell you whether it contains seeds.
If you need a gluten-free product, check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free claim, and read the information about other allergens too. A gluten-free claim alone says nothing about milk or eggs.
Start with the ingredients you want to use, then check the preparation instructions on the packaging. If you have a specific allergen requirement, the current label is what matters.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Grains and seeds | Check which grains and any seeds are specifically listed in the ingredients; don’t assume a mix contains seeds just because it’s called ‘multigrain’. | If I’m looking for seeds to add texture, I want to be able to identify them as an ingredient, not just see ‘multigrain’ in the name. For around 40% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the top priority. |
| Ingredients needed | Check whether the mix needs water or whether you’ll also need milk and eggs; remember to allow for cooking fat. | On my first food shop, I don’t want to find out that I’m still missing ingredients for the batter. Around 40% of consumers put ease of preparation first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current allergen information and, if needed, look for an explicit gluten-free claim. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the packaging must make it clear whether the mix I’ve chosen meets my requirements. For around 20% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider. |
The ingredients list for AH Meergranen includes wheat flour, barley, oats, wheat bran and buckwheat flour. The product name alone doesn’t confirm that it contains seeds.
If seeds matter to you, look for the specific seeds in the ingredients list on the pack.
A mix that only needs water added to the batter may still contain wheat, milk ingredients or egg. You may also need fat for cooking.
Think of ‘complete’ as an indication of how to prepare the mix, not a substitute for reading the allergen information.
The ingredients in the pack you buy matter if you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens.
Before use, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, especially if you need to eat gluten-free or avoid an allergen.
Offers original, complete, wholemeal and gluten-free-labelled pancake mixes, among other varieties.
Offers a wholemeal mix and a multigrain mix, each with a different combination of grains.
Offers a Naturel pancake mix made with several types of flour.
Offers a Complete mix made with water as the liquid for the batter.
ALDI’s own brand offers a multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
No, you’ll need to check the ingredients list. According to Albert Heijn, AH Meergranen contains several grains and wheat bran, but no seeds are listed among its ingredients.
A complete mix that only needs water added to the batter can be handy for your first food shop. According to Albert Heijn and PLUS, Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete each need 700 ml of water; you’ll also need cooking fat. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on each pack.
For AH Volkoren, Albert Heijn lists a plant-based preparation option using a plant-based drink and apple sauce or an egg replacer, as well as the standard method with milk and eggs. Read the instructions and ingredients for the mix you actually choose; this preparation option doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling requirements for prepacked foods. Also check for any ingredients you’ll be adding yourself when preparing your chosen mix.
