Who should consider which factors?

The newly moved-in cook who wants convenience

Wants to make pancakes without having to stock up on lots of ingredients or make extra shopping trips. A complete mix made with water could be a good option, but check what you’ll need for the pan too.

The student building up a basic store cupboard

Checks what’s already in the kitchen before adding a mix to the cupboard. With a regular mix, it makes a difference whether milk, eggs and cooking fat need to go on the shopping list.

The student looking for more texture

Wants to try a multigrain pancake, but may actually be looking for seeds. Koopmans lists several grains in its multigrain mix; check the ingredients if specific seeds are important to you.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether specific seeds need to appear in the ingredients list. Then check which preparation method suits what you already have in your student room.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Easy to prepare Check what you need to add to the mix and whether you’ll need butter or oil for the pan. If I’ve just moved in and don’t have milk or eggs yet, I want to make the batter with as few extra ingredients as possible. Around 33% of consumers would put ease of preparation first.
Ingredients you already have Compare the preparation instructions with the milk, eggs and cooking fat you already have. If I already have milk and eggs, I want to know whether I can use them with a regular mix. Making use of what they already have would be the main consideration for around 27% of consumers.
Grains and seeds Check that the seeds you want are specifically listed in the ingredients; don’t rely on ‘multigrain’ alone. If I want more texture, I need to know which grains or seeds are actually in the mix. For around 27% of consumers, this would be the most important question when choosing.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack, including any warnings about cross-contamination. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the label before choosing a mix. For around 13% of consumers, this check would be the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘contains seeds’

    Koopmans lists wheat, buckwheat, oats, barley, maize and rye in its multigrain mix. That list doesn’t mean the mix contains the seeds you’re looking for.

    Only make specific seeds a condition of your purchase if they’re listed in the ingredients on the pack you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming every mix needs the same ingredients

    According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete is made with water, while the Koopmans Meergranen mix described by the retailer is made with milk and eggs. The preparation method determines what else you’ll need to have in the kitchen.

    Read the instructions for the version you’ve chosen, and remember to include butter or oil for the pan in your shopping plans.

  • Relying only on online product information

    Lidl doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. An image or short product name won’t tell you whether a mix contains specific seeds either.

    Check the current packaging if ingredients, allergens or seeds are important to your choice.

  • Treating ‘gluten-free’ as a general preference

    A gluten-free mix is a separate product variant, not automatically a better choice for every student. The Koopmans Glutenvrij mix described by Albert Heijn also requires milk and eggs.

    If you have a specific dietary requirement, check the claims and allergen information on the current label.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Pancake mixes in a range of varieties, including original, complete, multigrain and gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn describes the complete version as a mix to which you add water; Koopmans lists several types of grain for its multigrain version.
  • Preparation instructions vary by version. If you’re looking for seeds, check the ingredients on the specific pack.

AH

A supermarket own label with plain, multigrain and wholemeal mixes in Albert Heijn’s pancake mix range.

  • The varieties mentioned offer a choice between a regular mix and mixes with a different grain composition.
  • A variety name won’t tell you which extra ingredients you need or which seeds the product contains, so check the pack.

PLUS

A supermarket own label with a plain mix and a complete pancake mix.

  • According to PLUS’s preparation information, its complete mix requires water.
  • PLUS also recommends butter or oil for cooking. Check the instructions if you choose a different version.

Albona

A brand that ALDI names for a multigrain pancake baking mix.

  • ALDI’s product description identifies the mix as multigrain.
  • If you’re looking for specific seeds or need to check allergens, read the ingredients information on the packaging.

Belbake

A baking brand that Lidl lists for its original pancake mix.

  • The original mix mentioned is worth considering alongside other regular mixes.
  • Lidl says that an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values isn’t available for food products. Check the pack if this information is important to you.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain pancake mix the same as a mix with seeds?

No. Koopmans lists wheat, buckwheat, oats, barley, maize and rye in its multigrain mix; these grains don’t confirm that the mix contains the seeds you’re looking for. Check the ingredients list for the specific seeds that matter to you.

Which mix can I make if I don’t have milk and eggs yet?

A complete mix could be a good option if you don’t have milk and eggs yet. According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete is made with water, and PLUS lists water for its complete mix. Remember to have butter or oil ready for cooking too.

What do I need to add to Koopmans Meergranen?

According to Albert Heijn’s preparation information, add 900 ml of milk and 2 eggs to Koopmans Meergranen, and use butter or oil for cooking. Read the instructions on the pack if you choose a different multigrain mix.

Where can I check the allergens in a pancake mix?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the mix you want to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label; an online product description isn’t a substitute for checking the pack.