Which mix is best for you?

Student sharing a cupboard

If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat, you can use a standard plain mix without buying those ingredients specially for pancake-making. Just check exactly what the mix you choose requires.

New starter with few ingredients at home

A complete mix can help keep your shopping list short: with the complete mixes from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, you just add water and cooking fat. The mix itself may still contain milk and egg.

Student making a small batch

According to Koopmans, its original shake bottle makes about five pancakes. You add milk, but you won’t need a large pack of dry mix for that meal.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with what you already have at home and how many pancakes you want to make. Then check the ingredients for the exact variety and consider whether you can store an opened pack.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Ingredients you need to add Check whether the mix requires milk, eggs, water and cooking fat, and which of these you already have. If I’m making pancakes for housemates and already have milk and eggs at home, I want to use what’s in the cupboard. This is the biggest factor in the choice for around 36% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for the exact variety. If I need to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘complete’ or ‘plain’. For around 29% of consumers, ingredient suitability comes first.
Ease of preparation Check what you need to add and how many pancakes the pack makes. Just after moving, I want to be able to make pancakes without having to buy milk and eggs first. For around 21% of consumers, keeping preparation to a minimum is the main priority.
Portion size and storage Choose a pack you can use up, and store any opened dry mix tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place. If I only make pancakes for myself now and then, I don’t want to leave a large pack open for ages. For around 14% of consumers, the right portion size is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every mix needs the same extra ingredients

    A standard plain mix may need milk and eggs, while some complete mixes only need water. Both may still require cooking fat.

    Read the instructions on the pack before you shop, especially if you don’t have much in the cupboard yet.

  • Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free

    The complete mixes from Albert Heijn and Jumbo that were checked contain wheat, milk and egg, even though you don’t need to add milk or eggs yourself.

    Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the exact variety you’re buying.

  • Assuming a shake bottle only needs water

    Koopmans’ original shake bottle is designed to make about five pancakes, but according to Koopmans, it requires milk.

    Choose this pack if the smaller quantity and mixing in the bottle suit your plans; check that you have milk before you start.

  • Tasting raw batter or leaving a pack open

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, raw flour may contain harmful bacteria. An opened pack of dry mix also needs to be protected from moisture.

    Don’t taste the batter raw. Cook the pancakes all the way through and store any remaining dry mix tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place.

Brands to compare

Koopmans

Koopmans offers a standard mix, a complete variety and a shake bottle, among other options. Check what you need to add to each one.

  • According to Koopmans, a pack of Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes; the original shake bottle is designed to make about five.
  • You need to add milk to the shake bottle. The complete variety contains milk and egg as ingredients.

Albert Heijn

The supermarket’s own brand offers a complete pancake mix for anyone who doesn’t want to add milk and eggs.

  • According to Albert Heijn, its 400 g complete mix needs 700 ml of water and cooking fat, and makes about 11 pancakes.
  • This variety contains wheat, milk and egg.

Jumbo

At Jumbo, you can compare a plain mix and a complete mix to see what each requires.

  • The complete variety needs water and cooking fat instead of milk and eggs added separately.
  • The complete variety does contain egg and milk; check the allergen information on the plain mix too.

PLUS

PLUS offers a plain mix and a wholemeal variety, among other options. The grains and preparation instructions vary by product.

  • PLUS states that its wholemeal variety contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.
  • The plain mix requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. ‘Wholemeal’ does not mean a mix is gluten-free.

Albona (ALDI)

Albona is ALDI’s own brand, which includes a plain pancake mix.

  • ALDI lists milk and eggs as ingredients to add to its plain mix.
  • Check the exact pack and preparation instructions: not every Albona baking mix is the same variety.

Belbake (Lidl)

Belbake offers an original pancake mix, which Lidl lists as a product in its stores.

  • According to Lidl, the 400 g pack makes about 12 pancakes.
  • Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add yourself.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When should I choose a plain mix rather than a complete mix?

A plain mix is a good choice if you already have the milk, eggs and cooking fat it needs and want to use them. If you don’t want to add milk and eggs, look for a complete variety and check whether you still need water and cooking fat.

What do I need to make pancakes with a complete mix?

For the complete mixes from Albert Heijn and Jumbo described here, you’ll need water and cooking fat, as well as a bowl, something to mix the batter with and a frying pan. Read the instructions on your pack before you start.

Can I taste raw pancake batter?

Don’t taste pancake batter raw. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria, so cook the batter all the way through.

How should I store an opened pack of pancake mix?

Store the dry mix tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also check the use-by date and storage instructions on the pack.