Who are the different mixes suitable for?

Home cooks making larger batches

Making several pancakes at once and already have milk and eggs at home? A dry, plain own-brand mix is one option to compare with other types of packaging.

Shoppers who want to add fewer ingredients

Would you like to start with water, or avoid buying extra ingredients? Check exactly what a complete mix requires: PLUS Complete also needs water and cooking fat.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients carefully

If your choice depends on grains, milk or egg, check the ingredients list on the specific pack before considering the preparation method. Also check for any warning about possible cross-contamination.

What should you look for when choosing?

Decide how many pancakes you want to make and which ingredients you already have at home. Then compare plain mix, complete mix and shaker bottles by how they’re prepared.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Amount of dry mix Compare the pack weight and, where stated, how many pancakes you can make with it. If I’m making pancakes for several people, I want to choose a pack that suits the batch size. For around 33% of consumers, having the right amount of dry mix is the top priority.
Ingredients you need Check whether you need to add milk, eggs, water and cooking fat; requirements vary between plain and complete mixes. If I don’t want to go out for more milk or eggs, I look for a mix that only needs ingredients I already have. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this.
Small portions and washing up Check the yield and mixing instructions; a shaker bottle may still require milk or cooking fat. For a small batch, I don’t want to make more batter than I need, and I like to keep mixing simple. This is the first thing around 20% of consumers consider.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the pack you’re buying. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the composition of the exact variety I’m buying. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Only checking the pack of a plain mix

    A plain mix isn’t ready-made batter. The preparation instructions for PLUS plain mix also call for milk, eggs and cooking fat.

    Check what you’ll need before choosing, and see which ingredients you already have at home.

  • Assuming all shaker bottles are the same

    Preparation steps vary by product. The PLUS bottle we looked at requires milk, while the Joybuy product information says to add water to Koopmans Shaker Bottle Pancake Complete.

    Check the instructions on the specific bottle, especially if you’re making a small batch or want to keep washing up to a minimum.

  • Treating ready-made pancakes like dry mix

    Ready-made pancakes only need heating; with dry mix, you make the batter and cook the pancakes yourself. So the pack size doesn’t mean the same thing.

    Compare ready-made pancakes separately by number of pancakes, portions and heating method.

  • Guessing the allergens from the name of the mix

    The word ‘complete’ doesn’t tell you whether a mix is suitable if you need to avoid milk or egg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label.

    Read the ingredients list and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the pack you’re actually buying.

Relevant brands and own-brand ranges

Albona (ALDI)

Albona is ALDI’s baking brand, with products including a 400 g dry, plain pancake mix.

  • The plain variety is an option if you want to make the batter yourself.
  • Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed.

Albert Heijn

The AH own-brand range includes plain, complete, multigrain and wholemeal mixes.

  • The range of varieties lets you choose a preparation style within one own-brand range.
  • Check the preparation instructions and allergens for the variety you’ve chosen, rather than assuming they’re the same across the range.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells its own plain and complete mixes, alongside pancake mixes from other brands.

  • You can compare different preparation styles across the range.
  • Check what you need for each pack; you can’t tell from the brand name alone.

PLUS

PLUS sells plain and complete mixes, as well as a bottle mix.

  • The plain mix requires milk and eggs; the instructions for PLUS Complete call for water and cooking fat.
  • The bottle mix has different preparation steps. Check the allergen information on the label for each variety too.

Belbake (Lidl)

Belbake is Lidl’s baking brand, with products including Original Pancake Mix.

  • Lidl says this mix makes around twelve pancakes.
  • According to Lidl, this product is only available in store; check the pack and preparation instructions there.

Koopmans

Koopmans sells products including Original Mix and shaker bottle mixes for different occasions.

  • Koopmans says a pack of Pancakes Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
  • The original mix requires milk, eggs and cooking fat; check separately what you need to add to a shaker bottle mix.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When should I choose plain rather than complete pancake mix?

Plain mix is a good choice if you want to add milk and eggs yourself and already have them at home. The instructions for PLUS plain mix also call for cooking fat, while PLUS Complete requires water and cooking fat. Always read the instructions for the mix you choose.

When is a shaker bottle useful?

A shaker bottle is handy for a small batch if you want to mix the batter in the packaging. Koopmans says its shaker bottle makes around five pancakes. Check whether your chosen variety needs milk or water, and whether you need to leave the batter to stand.

Is the front of the pack enough if you have an allergy?

No. Check the current ingredients list and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on the label; varieties within a product range may contain different ingredients.

Are ready-made pancakes the same as pancake mix?

No. Ready-made pancakes need heating, while dry mix needs to be made into batter before you cook the pancakes yourself. So compare ready-made pancakes separately by number of pancakes, portions and heating method.