If you’re cooking for a group
If you want to make a stack of pancakes, check the pack size and the stated yield. Also make sure you have the milk, eggs and cooking fat needed for your chosen mix.
Which option suits you?
If you want to serve up quickly
A complete mix can reduce the number of separate ingredients you need, while a shaker bottle can save on mixing equipment. If you’d rather not cook at all, ready-made pancakes are another option to consider.
If you choose ingredients carefully
If you’re looking for a wholemeal option, for example, or need to avoid certain allergens, check the latest ingredients and allergen information. Remember to check the ingredients you add yourself too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much of the preparation you want to do yourself for snack night. A dry mix, complete mix, shaker bottle and ready-made pancakes each take different steps out of your hands.
Dry mix
Best for: Cooking for several people and not minding mixing the batter yourself.
Bear in mind: The plain mixes reviewed also require milk, eggs and cooking fat.
Complete mix
Best for: If you’d rather not add milk and eggs to the batter; the PLUS Complete mix reviewed is made with water.
Bear in mind: You’ll still need cooking fat and time at the hob for this mix.
Shaker mix
Best for: Mixing the batter in the container and using less mixing equipment.
Bear in mind: The ingredients you need to add vary by bottle. The PLUS bottle reviewed requires milk, and you’ll still need to cook the pancakes.
Ready-made pancakes
Best for: If you’d rather heat and serve than make batter and cook pancakes.
Bear in mind: This isn’t pancake mix; check the pack contents and heating instructions.
| What to consider | Check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| What you’ll need for the evening | Pack size, stated yield and any ingredients you need to add yourself. | If I’m cooking for a group, I want to know in advance what else I need to put on the table besides the mix. For around 36% of consumers, everything they’ll need is the top priority. |
| Preparation | Whether you need to mix, cook or simply heat the pancakes, and which pan or other kitchen equipment you’ll need. | If I want to serve up quickly, I want to spend as little time as possible making the batter. For around 29% of consumers, minimising preparation comes first. |
| Grain choice | The grains listed in the ingredients and the nutritional information for the variety you choose. | I want to make an informed choice of wholemeal or another grain variety, so I look beyond the name on the front of the pack. For around 21% of consumers, grain choice is the most important factor. |
| Allergens | The latest allergen information for the mix, additional ingredients and toppings. | If someone eating needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check every part of the meal. For around 14% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘complete’ or ‘shaker’ means no cooking is needed
The PLUS Complete mix reviewed requires water and cooking fat. The PLUS shaker bottle reviewed requires milk; you’ll still need to cook the pancakes in a pan afterwards.
Before buying, check the ingredients you’ll need and the preparation instructions for the exact variety you’ve chosen. If you don’t want to cook, look at ready-made pancakes and their heating instructions.
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Confusing wholemeal, multigrain and gluten-free
These terms don’t mean the same thing. The AH wholemeal mix reviewed contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten, so ‘wholemeal’ does not mean ‘gluten-free’.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the latest pack, even if the wording on the front seems to match your preferences.
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Relying on the online product description alone
The packaging is important when checking pack contents, ingredients and preparation. For example, one product listing for ready-made pancakes that was reviewed gave different quantities.
Check the pack for its contents, ingredients, allergens, best-before date and preparation instructions.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an Original mix, among other options. According to Koopmans, a 400 g pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
- An option to consider if you’re looking for a dry mix for a larger batch.
- For Original, you add milk, eggs and butter; check the allergens on the pack.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own brand includes plain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- The 300 g wholemeal variety reviewed lists wholemeal wheat flour as an ingredient.
- This variety also contains wheat gluten; check the latest ingredients list if grain choice or allergens matter to you.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Koopmans Pannenkoekenmix Origineel 400 g, among other products.
- You can compare this variety by pack size and preparation method.
- Check the pack you choose to see which ingredients you still need to add.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain mix in a box, a complete mix and a mix in a shaker bottle.
- The different pack formats give you different ways to prepare the batter.
- The complete mix in a box requires water and cooking fat; the shaker mix reviewed requires milk.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI own brand, with a 400 g plain pancake mix among its products.
- A dry, plain mix to consider if you want to make the batter yourself.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you’ll need to prepare it.
Belbake
Belbake offers a 400 g original pancake mix. Lidl says it makes around 12 pancakes.
- The stated yield can help you work out how many packs you’ll need for your group.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack you buy.
Pancake mixes for different batch sizes
These Joybuy products are pancake mixes for cooking at home: two 400 g packs and two smaller options for anyone considering a shaker pack. Ready-made pancakes for heating are not included in this selection.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A 400 g pack to consider if you’re cooking for several people and want to take the stated grains into account when choosing.
You’ll prepare the batter and cook the pancakes yourself. Check the pack for the ingredients you need to add and the allergen information.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
This 210 g variety is suited to a smaller batch if you want to mix the batter in a shaker pack.
You’ll still need to cook the pancakes. Before buying, check whether the stated yield is enough and which ingredients you need to add.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
A 400 g dry mix for anyone making the batter from scratch and cooking for several people.
According to the product information, you add 850 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil. Also check the latest label if allergens are a concern for anyone eating.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The 175 g shaker pack is an option for a smaller snack-time batch if you want to use less mixing equipment.
You’ll still need to add one ingredient and cook the pancakes. Check the preparation instructions, yield and allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix needs fewer separate ingredients for the batter?
A complete mix may be a good choice: for the PLUS Complete mix reviewed, you add water instead of milk and eggs. You’ll still need cooking fat or oil for this variety, and you’ll have to cook the pancakes. Check the preparation instructions for other complete mixes.
Is the shaker bottle all I need?
No. Check what you need to add to the specific shaker bottle. The PLUS bottle reviewed requires milk, and you’ll still need to cook the pancakes in a pan afterwards; a shaker bottle doesn’t do the cooking for you.
How do I check for gluten and other allergens?
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the mix and anything you add. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about allergen labelling on food products. Don’t rely on terms such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘multigrain’ alone.
How should I store an opened pancake mix?
Store an opened mix in a cool, dry, dark place and keep it tightly sealed, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack.