Student who cooks regularly
Wants to keep enough mix in stock and can pick up milk, eggs and cooking fat with their usual groceries. Check how much mix is actually in a pack: the plain examples from AH, Jumbo and PLUS come in 400 g packs.
Which mix is practical for you?
Student with limited kitchen supplies
Wants to keep the number of ingredients needed for the batter to a minimum. The complete mixes described from Koopmans and PLUS are made with water; check the instructions to see what cooking fat you’ll need, too.
Student with a specific dietary preference
For example, they may be looking for a wholemeal, multigrain or gluten-free option, or need to avoid certain allergens. The brand name alone won’t tell you what you need to know: ingredients vary between variants, so always check the label on the pack you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much you want to make and which ingredients you already have. Then choose a variant with preparation instructions and a pack size that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock for several cooking sessions | Check the weight per pack and decide how many packs you want to keep. Three 400 g packs contain 1.2 kg of mix in total. | If I cook often, I don’t want to have to buy more mix after just one session. Around 37% of consumers prioritise having enough in stock. |
| Extra ingredients | Compare the preparation instructions for plain and complete mixes, and check what cooking fat you’ll need. | If my kitchen is still bare, I want to be able to make the batter without having to get milk and eggs first. That’s the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Type of mix | Choose the exact wholemeal, multigrain or gluten-free variant you’re looking for, and read the ingredients on that pack. | If I want a particular type of flour or variant, a standard plain mix won’t necessarily be suitable. That’s the main priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack, including any warnings about cross-contamination. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to check the pack I’ve chosen rather than relying on the brand name. Checking the label is the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a pack is a 1 kg bulk pack
The mixes described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, ALDI and Lidl mostly come in 400 g packs. So one pack won’t give you the 1 kg stock you’re looking for.
Check the weight on the pack and decide how many you want to buy before you shop.
Several small packs also take up more space in your kitchen cupboard.
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Putting only the mix on your shopping list
The plain mixes described from AH and PLUS need milk, eggs and butter or oil. A complete mix uses water for the batter, but you may still need cooking fat.
Read the preparation instructions for the variant you’ve chosen and add any missing ingredients to your list.
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Relying on the variant name to check for allergens
‘Complete’ describes how to prepare the mix; it doesn’t mean it’s free from milk or egg. Ingredients can also vary between variants from the same brand.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label.
Brands and variants to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers, among other options, an original and a complete pancake mix. Choose according to the preparation instructions for the variant.
- According to Albert Heijn, the original mix described needs milk, eggs and cooking fat, while water is all you need for the batter with the complete mix described.
- The examples described come in 400 g packs, not 1 kg packs.
AH
AH offers a plain own-brand mix as well as other variants.
- The AH Plain Pancake Mix described contains 400 g of mix.
- According to Albert Heijn, you’ll need milk, eggs and cooking fat to prepare it. If you have a dietary preference or allergy, read the label on the pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a plain own-brand mix, along with several other types of pancake mix.
- The Jumbo Plain Pancake Mix described comes in a 400 g pack; the range also includes other variants.
- A variant name won’t tell you which ingredients or allergens apply to a different pack. Always check the pack you’ve chosen.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain mix and a complete mix, both described as 400 g packs.
- According to PLUS, the plain variant needs milk and eggs; for the batter made with the complete variant, you add water.
- The complete variant described contains, among other things, wheat, milk and egg. You’ll still need cooking fat for frying.
Albona
ALDI describes Albona as a multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
- The pack described contains 400 g of mix.
- Read the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the pack before choosing this variant.
Belbake
Lidl describes an original Belbake pancake mix sold in store.
- The pack described contains 400 g of mix and, according to Lidl, makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These smaller packs offer a few options for student accommodation: a complete mix for a smaller batch, plus two 400 g mixes that also need milk and eggs. Check whether the pack size suits how often you plan to cook.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
An option if you want to make the batter with water and are looking for a smaller pack.
This pack contains 210 g of mix. Read the full preparation instructions before cooking, and check the label on this pack if you have any allergies.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A good choice if you specifically want this multigrain variant and have milk and eggs at home for the recipe.
The pack contains 400 g of mix. Remember to allow for cooking fat, too, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
An option for a regular batch if you can use milk, eggs and cooking fat.
The pack contains 400 g of mix. You’ll need several packs if you want to stock up; if you have any allergies, check the label on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 1 kg pack of pancake mix if I cook regularly?
No, you can use several smaller packs and adjust the amount to how often you cook. The products described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS, ALDI and Lidl mostly come in 400 g packs; check the weight of the exact variant when you buy it.
What do I need alongside a plain pancake mix?
For the plain variants described from AH and PLUS, you’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil. Read the instructions on your own pack, as the quantities required vary by variant.
Is water all I need for a complete pancake mix?
You add water to make the batter for the complete mixes described, but you’ll also need cooking fat for frying. Check the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen before you shop.
Is a complete pancake mix automatically free from milk and egg?
No. The complete mixes described from PLUS and Koopmans contain milk and egg. If you have an allergy or dietary preference, always read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.