Student with a well-stocked kitchen
If you already have milk, eggs and butter or oil, you can choose a standard plain or wholemeal mix without buying those ingredients specially to make pancakes.
Which mix is best for you?
Student with an empty kitchen cupboard
If you want to buy fewer separate ingredients after moving in, look for a complete mix. Check the pack to see whether you’ll need cooking fat as well as water.
Student with a specific dietary requirement
If you’re looking for a wholemeal mix or a gluten-free option, read the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the exact pack. These are two different product features.
What should you look for when choosing?
First check which ingredients you already have, then see what the chosen mix requires according to the pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic mix and cupboard supplies | Check whether you need milk, eggs and cooking fat, and whether you already have them at home. | If I already have milk and eggs in the fridge, I don’t want to choose a different preparation method just to avoid buying extra ingredients. For around 40% of consumers, using what they already have in the cupboard is the main consideration. |
| Complete mix and convenience | Check which ingredients you need to add; according to PLUS, PLUS Complete requires water and cooking fat. | If my kitchen cupboard is still empty, I want to buy or store as few separate ingredients as possible. For around 30% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Wholemeal ingredients | Check the types of grain and their proportions in the ingredients list, as well as what you’ll need to prepare the mix. | If I’m specifically looking for a wholemeal mix, the ingredients in the one I choose need to match. Around 20% of consumers prioritise choosing a wholemeal option. |
| Allergens and gluten-free options | Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warning, on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For around 10% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Looking only at the dry mix
For PLUS Naturel, PLUS lists 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil in addition to the mix. You’ll need to have these ingredients available too.
Before choosing, check what you already have in the kitchen and compare the preparation instructions for a standard mix and a complete mix.
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
‘Complete’ describes how convenient the mix is to prepare, not whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy. According to PLUS, the PLUS Complete mix reviewed contains milk and egg, among other ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact version, even if you don’t need to add separate milk or eggs when preparing it.
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Assuming wholemeal means gluten-free
Wholemeal describes the grain content; gluten-free is a separate product feature. PLUS Volkoren lists wholemeal wheat flour and oat flour, among other ingredients.
Check which feature you’re looking for, then read the label on the mix you’ve chosen, including any information about other allergens.
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Tasting raw batter
For Koopmans Original, Joybuy states that the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw.
Follow the preparation instructions on the pack and cook the pancakes all the way through.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers standard, complete, wholemeal and gluten-free pancake mixes, among other options.
- According to Koopmans, one pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
- Check what you need to add for each version; ‘complete’ and ‘original’ mixes don’t require the same ingredients.
AH
Albert Heijn offers own-brand mixes in plain, multigrain, wholemeal and complete versions, among others.
- The range includes different mixes that you can compare on the product label.
- Check the preparation method and allergen information for your chosen version separately.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- PLUS lists milk, eggs and cooking fat for Naturel, and water and cooking fat for Complete.
- The ingredients list for PLUS Volkoren states 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour. Also check what you’ll need to prepare it.
Albona
Albona is ALDI’s own brand, which offers a plain pancake baking mix.
- ALDI lists the plain version in a 400 g pack.
- Check the chosen pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed.
Belbake
Lidl sells Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel in store.
- Lidl lists a 400 g pack, which makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the label for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These two mixes suit two different needs for student living: a complete option if you want to use fewer separate ingredients for preparation, and a wholemeal option if you’re paying attention to the grain content.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete option to consider if you want to use fewer separate ingredients after moving in. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the exact pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for a wholemeal mix. When planning your shopping, remember to allow for milk, eggs and cooking fat, and check the quantities on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
What should I add to a standard plain mix?
It varies from one version to another. For a 400 g pack of PLUS Naturel, for example, PLUS lists 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, three eggs and butter or oil. Read the instructions on the mix you choose.
When is a complete mix useful if I’ve just moved into student accommodation?
A complete mix is useful if you want to buy or store fewer separate ingredients for preparation. For its Complete mix, PLUS lists 700 ml water and cooking butter or oil; check the pack for any other version.
Is ‘gluten-free’ on the front enough if I need to check for allergens?
No. Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack too. For example, the Koopmans Glutenvrij version reviewed states that it may contain egg and milk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
Can I taste Koopmans Original batter raw?
No. For Koopmans Original, Joybuy states that the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be cooked all the way through. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack you’re using.