If you’re cooking for a group
You’ll want to work out how many packs you need in advance and leave room for both sweet and savoury toppings. Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, while its Complete mix makes 8 to 10.
Who is this relevant to?
If you want to do less preparation
You don’t want to be measuring out milk and eggs as well on a Sunday. According to the preparation instructions from Koopmans and PLUS, their complete mixes only need water, as well as fat for frying.
If you check ingredients carefully
You may need to consider ingredients such as grains, milk and eggs, or possible traces of allergens. A label such as ‘wholegrain’, ‘organic’ or ‘complete’ doesn’t replace the allergen information on the pack you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by choosing a mix that suits the number of people you’re cooking for and the ingredients you can use. Then compare how much preparation each option involves.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Yield per pack | Compare the stated number of pancakes with the number of people you’re feeding. Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes and its Complete mix makes 8 to 10. These yields apply when prepared according to the pack instructions. | If I’m cooking for several people, I don’t want to run out of batter halfway through. Around 25% of consumers would put getting enough portions first. |
| Preparation | Check which ingredients you need to add and whether prepared batter needs to be used straight away. | On a busy Sunday, I want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible, but I still need time to cook. Less preparation would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check both the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I can’t rely on the product name alone. For around 25% of consumers, checking ingredients and allergens would be the top priority. |
| Additional ingredients | Compare what you already have at home with what the preparation instructions call for, such as milk, eggs or fat for frying. | If I want to keep my shopping list short, I need to consider what else I’ll need besides the mix. Around 17% of consumers would weigh this up first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘complete’ means ready to cook
A complete mix may not need milk and eggs, but you still need to mix and cook it. The preparation instructions from Koopmans and PLUS call for water and fat for frying.
Check what you’ll need on the packaging before you shop.
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Relying on the product name for allergen information
‘Wholegrain’ and ‘organic’ don’t mean that a mix is gluten-free. The ingredients in classic and complete mixes also vary from product to product.
Read the current label on the exact pack you’re buying, even if you’ve used a similar version before.
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Preparing too much bottled batter at once
PLUS says that its plain bottled mix, once combined with milk, should be used straight away and not stored.
Prepare an amount you can cook straight away and follow the instructions on the bottle.
Brands compared
Koopmans
Koopmans offers, among other options, a classic mix, a complete mix and an organic wholegrain mix.
- Koopmans says its Original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes and its Complete mix makes 8 to 10. You add water to the Complete mix.
- The Original mix requires milk, eggs and fat for frying. Check the allergens on the pack for each variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a plain pancake mix and a 400 g organic version.
- The product information gives you the choice of a plain mix or one made with organic wheat flour.
- Jumbo says its plain mix contains wheat and oats. Check the ingredients and allergens in the organic version too.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain mix, a complete mix and a plain bottled mix, each suited to a different preparation method.
- PLUS says its complete mix needs water, while its plain mix is prepared with milk and eggs.
- The bottled mix needs milk, and the prepared batter must be used straight away. Check the current label to see whether it’s suitable for your dietary needs.
Albona
ALDI offers Albona plain and wholegrain pancake mixes.
- ALDI says the plain version is prepared with milk and eggs.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ve chosen before deciding whether the mix is suitable for your dietary requirements.
Belbake
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
- Lidl states that each pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens on the pack in store.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes offer different starting points for a Sunday pancake meal: a complete mix, a wholegrain mix, a classic mix and a smaller pack. Check what you need to add to each pack and how much you’ll need for your group.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix to consider if you want fewer separate ingredients to measure out. Check the preparation instructions and yield for this pack before planning for a group.
Pack size: 210 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A wholegrain mix to compare with a classic or complete version. Remember to include milk, eggs and fat for frying in your preparations.
Pack size: 400 g. Check the grains and any potential allergens on the current label.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A classic mix for adding milk and eggs to the batter yourself. Remember to factor in fat for frying and check the yield to make sure there’s enough for everyone.
Pack size: 400 g. Read the allergen information on the pack you buy.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu pancake mix with milk flavour, 100 g
A smaller pack to consider for a small batch. If you’re cooking for several people, check the preparation instructions and yield before buying.
Pack size: 100 g. If you have dietary requirements, check the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always check allergens in pancake mix?
Yes. If allergens are relevant to your choice, read the label on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on the label of pre-packed products. Similar mixes may contain different ingredients or ‘may contain’ statements.
Is a complete pancake mix ready to cook straight away?
No. According to the preparation instructions, Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes still need water. You’ll also need fat for frying and a frying pan. Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.
Can I store prepared batter?
Follow the instructions for your mix. PLUS says that batter made from its plain bottled mix and milk should be used straight away and not stored.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
Not with the Koopmans Complete mix: Albert Heijn says its batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw and must be cooked thoroughly. For other mixes, follow the preparation instructions on the packaging too.
Is an organic or wholegrain mix gluten-free?
Not automatically. The organic and wholegrain versions from Koopmans and Jumbo described here use wheat or other gluten-containing grains, among other ingredients. If you need to avoid gluten, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack.