Who is this choice relevant to?

Breakfast cooks looking for a substantial pancake

If you’re mainly after a thicker pancake, first decide which style you mean. The instructions for AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix say to spread the batter thinly over the base of the pan, so choosing a wholemeal mix won’t, by itself, give you extra thickness.

Breakfast cooks short on preparation time

If you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs, a complete mix that only needs water is worth considering. Check the ingredients, though: needing to add water doesn’t mean the mix is free from milk, egg or gluten.

Shoppers choosing based on ingredients

If wholegrains, a plant-based preparation method or certain allergens are decisive for you, compare the exact variant and its current packaging. Also look out for any ‘may contain’ statement.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the pancake style you want and the ingredients you’d like to add. Then compare the yield and, if relevant to you, the allergens in the specific mix you’ve chosen.

What to considerWhat to check before buyingWho it matters to
Thickness you’re after Look for an explicit description such as ‘thick’ or ‘American-style pancakes’, and check how the packet says to spread the batter in the pan. If I’m after a thick pancake, I don’t want to assume every mix will deliver one. Around 29% of consumers put their preferred thickness first.
Ease of preparation Compare what you need to add — water alone, or milk and eggs as well — and how many pancakes the packet says the mix makes. For a quick breakfast, I want to prepare as few extra ingredients as possible. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement. Also check what your chosen preparation method adds. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, both the mix and the preparation method need to suit me. Around 21% of consumers give this check top priority.
Wholemeal or multigrain Check which grains are in the specific mix, and compare nutritional information on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. If I’m looking for a mix with wholegrains or several types of grain, I check the ingredients rather than assuming that thickness and nutritional value are the same thing. This choice of grains matters most to around 21% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘substantial’ means a proven thick pancake

    A larger portion, a mix with wholegrains and an extra-thick pancake are three different things. AH’s instructions for its wholemeal mix say to spread the batter thinly over the base of the pan; they don’t confirm that the pancakes will be thick.

    Decide which style you want and check whether the packet states it explicitly. If the instructions aren’t clear enough for your needs, try a small batch first.

  • Confusing ‘complete’ or ‘plant-based’ with allergen-free

    A complete mix may contain milk and egg. According to its product information, AH’s wholemeal mix can be prepared using plant-based ingredients, but the dry mix contains wheat and gluten.

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packet, and remember to account for anything you add yourself during preparation.

  • Comparing pack weight alone

    A classic mix that needs milk, eggs and cooking fat requires different preparation from a mix that only needs water. The stated yield can also vary from one packet to another.

    Compare the instructions and expected yield before deciding how many packets you’ll need for breakfast.

    For a classic preparation, you’ll need to have milk, eggs and cooking fat to hand.

  • Assuming a product page means it’s in stock at your local shop

    Lidl lists Belbake Original Pancake Mix as available in store only. So the presence of a product page doesn’t tell you whether the mix is available at your local branch.

    Check local availability before making a special trip to buy that particular variant.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers classic, complete, shaker-bottle, wholemeal and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others. Preparation methods vary between variants.

  • Koopmans says its Original mix needs milk, eggs and cooking fat, and that one packet makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Albert Heijn says its Complete Pancake Mix only needs water.
  • These variants don’t have the same ingredients or allergens. Neither preparation method, on its own, guarantees extra-thick pancakes.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range includes plain, wholemeal, multigrain and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others.

  • AH’s product information for its Wholemeal Pancake Mix includes a plant-based preparation option.
  • That wholemeal mix contains wheat and gluten. The instructions say to spread the batter thinly over the base of the pan.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a 400 g Plain Pancake Mix, among other options.

  • Jumbo lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour and wholemeal oat flour in the ingredients for this variant.
  • Jumbo says the mix contains gluten, oats and wheat, and may contain barley, egg and milk. Check the packet if these allergens are important to you.

Albona

Albona is ALDI’s baking brand. Its range includes a 395 g plain pancake mix and a 400 g multigrain baking mix.

  • ALDI says its plain mix is prepared with milk and eggs.
  • If ingredients or allergens affect your choice, read the label on the specific variant before using it.

Belbake

Belbake is Lidl’s baking brand, with original and multigrain pancake mixes among its range.

  • Lidl says a 400 g packet of Belbake Original Pancake Mix makes around 12 pancakes.
  • Lidl lists the original variant as available in store only. If you’re choosing based on ingredients or allergens, check the label on the relevant packet.

Mixes by buying priority

This order groups the mixes by ease of preparation, classic preparation, wholemeal ingredients and gluten avoidance. The numbers aren’t an external ranking of quality, taste or sales, and don’t indicate which mix makes thicker pancakes.

NumberMixFeaturesWhy consider it?Retailer
1 Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix 400 g Albert Heijn says to add 700 ml of water. For a breakfast where you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs separately. Check the allergens in the mix itself. Albert Heijn
2 Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g Koopmans says to add milk, eggs and cooking fat. For anyone who wants a classic preparation and has those ingredients to hand. Koopmans says one packet makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Koopmans
3 AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix 300 g Albert Heijn says this mix contains wholemeal wheat flour, wheat and gluten. For anyone choosing a wholemeal mix. Albert Heijn also gives a plant-based preparation option, but that doesn’t make the mix gluten-free. Albert Heijn
4 Koopmans Gluten-Free Pancake Mix 400 g Described as a gluten-free variant. For anyone looking for a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free: check the product identity, ingredients and allergens on the current packet before use. Joybuy

Pancake mixes on Joybuy

These mixes offer different ways to prepare Sunday breakfast, from a shaker bottle to a classic packet mix. Choose the preparation method you’re looking for, and check the packet separately if thickness, ingredients or allergens are decisive for you.

Koopmans Shaker Pancake Mix 175 g

Koopmans Shaker Pancake Mix 175 g

For anyone who’d rather use a shaker bottle than mix the batter in a bowl.

The packet contains 175 g of mix. Check the ingredients you need to add and the stated yield for this Shaker variant; its name doesn’t mean it makes thick pancakes.

View on Joybuy
Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g

Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g

For anyone specifically looking for a mix with wholegrains for breakfast.

The packet contains 400 g of mix. Check the chosen packet to see which grains and allergens this variant contains; ‘Wholegrains’ doesn’t mean it makes extra-thick pancakes.

View on Joybuy
Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g

Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g

For anyone who wants to make pancakes with a classic mix, adding milk, eggs and cooking fat.

The packet contains 400 g of mix. Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per packet; the stated yield isn’t a measure of thickness.

View on Joybuy
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g

Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g

For a smaller breakfast when you only want to add water to the mix.

This shaker bottle contains 210 g of mix. Joybuy’s product information says to add 350 ml of water, making 4 to 6 pancakes. Even though you only add water, check the allergens on the label.

View on Joybuy
Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g

Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix 100 g

For anyone considering a milk-flavoured pancake mix.

The packet contains 100 g of mix. Before planning breakfast, check the preparation instructions and yield on the packet; the flavour description doesn’t mean it makes extra-thick pancakes.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a standard pancake mix automatically make thick pancakes?

No. The label ‘standard pancake mix’ doesn’t guarantee extra-thick pancakes. In fact, Albert Heijn’s instructions for its wholemeal mix say to spread the batter thinly over the base of the pan. If thickness is your top priority, look for a product that explicitly says it makes thick pancakes.

Which mix only needs water?

According to Albert Heijn, Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix 400 g needs 700 ml of water; Joybuy says the 210 g Complete Pancake Mix shaker bottle needs 350 ml. Also compare the stated yield to choose a packet that suits the number of people you’re serving.

Is a complete mix free from milk and egg?

No. Only needing to add water tells you nothing about the allergens in the dry mix. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variant; the product information for Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix lists milk and egg.

Is wholemeal pancake mix gluten-free too?

No. Wholemeal and gluten-free don’t mean the same thing. According to Albert Heijn, AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix contains wholemeal wheat flour, wheat and gluten. If you’re avoiding gluten, check the label and allergens on the specific packet.

Can I taste the batter raw?

No, don’t taste pancake batter raw. The product information for Koopmans Complete and Original Pancake Mix says the batter must be cooked thoroughly.