Student with ingredients already in the cupboard
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat, you can start with a standard mix. Check the recipe on the pack before buying: the quantities required vary between variants.
Which mix is right for you?
Cook with a nearly empty fridge
If you’d rather not add milk and eggs separately, look for a complete mix. Check whether you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking, and whether one pack will be enough for everyone.
Shopper looking for specific ingredients
If you’re looking for multigrain, wholemeal flour or organically grown ingredients, check the ingredients list to make sure they’re included. For allergens, rely on the information on the exact pack, not just the brand name or product category.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before planning your student meal, work out what you still need to add and how many pancakes you want to make. Then check the ingredients you’re looking for and read the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Everything on your shopping list | Check what milk, eggs and cooking fat the recipe calls for, and how much batter one pack makes. | If I already have milk and eggs for dinner, I don’t want to choose a different mix unnecessarily. Around 39% of consumers put having everything on their shopping list first. |
| Fewer extra ingredients | Check whether the mix needs water, or milk and eggs too. Remember to check separately whether you’ll need cooking fat. | If I don’t have many ingredients in the house, I want to get started without needing extra milk or eggs. This is the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients you’re looking for | Check the label for the grains, wholemeal flour or organically grown ingredients you want. | If I choose a multigrain, wholemeal or organic variant, I want to know exactly what that means. Around 23% of consumers put these ingredients first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the full ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on a different variant from the same brand. For around 15% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the pack itself
A standard mix may still need milk, eggs and cooking fat. For the PLUS Complete mix we looked at, you add water, but you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking.
For the number of people you’re feeding, make a note of which ingredients you already have and what else the recipe calls for.
Add any fillings or toppings to your shopping list too, if you plan to use them.
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Assuming ‘premium’ means better quality
Multigrain, wholemeal flour, organic ingredients and a complete preparation method are different product features. None of these automatically makes a mix more suitable for your meal.
First decide which feature you’re actually looking for, then check the pack to confirm it.
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Guessing allergens from the brand name
Variants from the same brand can contain different ingredients. The PLUS Complete mix we looked at lists wheat, milk and egg; that doesn’t tell you anything about every other mix.
Just before use, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you actually bought.
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Leaving cooked leftovers on the worktop
Storage instructions for dry mix don’t apply to cooked pancakes. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months.
Leave leftovers to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Brands to compare
Compare specific variants from each brand: the same name on the front doesn’t tell you which ingredients you’ll need to add.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers standard, complete, multigrain and organic mixes, as well as shaker-bottle variants.
- According to Koopmans, you only need to add water to Pannenkoeken Compleet to make the batter.
- For the Koopmans multigrain mix we looked at, Albert Heijn says to add milk, eggs and butter or oil.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers multigrain and wholemeal mixes, among other options.
- For the multigrain mix we looked at, Albert Heijn lists wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat, among other ingredients. The wholemeal variant lists wholemeal wheat flour.
- Check each variant to see which milk, eggs and fat you need to add, and which allergens are listed on the label.
PLUS
PLUS offers both a plain mix and a complete mix.
- According to PLUS, the plain mix we looked at needs milk and eggs, while the Complete mix is made with water.
- Both variants we looked at need butter or oil for cooking. The Complete mix also lists wheat, milk and egg.
Albona
ALDI lists pancake mixes from Albona, including a multigrain variant.
- ALDI lists the product type and a 400 g pack size.
- Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens on the pack for the exact Albona variant.
Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as a product available in store.
- Lidl says a 400 g pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and required additions for this variant in store.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes offer a few different options for a student meal: a complete variant, a multigrain mix, a standard mix and a smaller pack. Check the recipe and how many pancakes each product makes before choosing one for the number of people you’re feeding.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want to add as few ingredients as possible. Check the preparation instructions and whether this pack makes enough for everyone.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
For anyone who pays close attention to the grains in their mix. When preparing it, remember to add milk, eggs and butter or oil.
Check the grains and allergens on the label of this pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A standard mix to consider if milk, eggs and cooking fat are already on your shopping list. Joybuy lists 850 ml milk, 2 eggs and butter or oil for this pack, which makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
Check the allergens on the pack and cook the batter thoroughly.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu High-Calcium milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
With this smaller pack, it’s important to check how many pancakes it makes before buying. You’ll also need to add an egg.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging; the product name alone doesn’t substantiate a nutritional claim.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really only need water for a complete pancake mix?
Not for the whole preparation process: for the PLUS Complete mix we looked at, you make the batter with water, but you’ll need butter or oil for cooking. Check the recipe for the variant you’re buying.
What does ‘premium’ mean for pancake mix?
‘Premium’ doesn’t tell you which feature makes a mix suitable for your student meal. Check whether you’re specifically looking for multigrain, wholemeal flour, organic ingredients or a different preparation method. These features vary from product to product.
How do I check allergens in pancake mix?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re using. Mixes may contain cereals containing gluten, milk or egg. The ingredients in another variant from the same brand are no substitute for checking the label.
How should I store opened mix and cooked pancakes?
Store opened dry mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping cooked pancakes in the fridge for two days or in the freezer for three months. Leave leftovers to cool and store them in a tightly sealed container.