For a Valentine’s Day breakfast with minimal preparation, a complete pancake mix is a practical choice. If you’d rather add the milk and eggs yourself, look for a classic mix. Choose multigrain or wholemeal for the grains, but don’t assume that the mix also contains seeds. If seeds or a gluten-free mix are a must for you, check the label of the specific product.
For a breakfast, brunch or dessert that needs little preparation, you could try a complete mix or shaker bottle. Just check what you need to add to your chosen product: a complete mix may only need water, while a shaker bottle may call for milk.
Compare the ingredients in a multigrain or wholemeal mix with those in a classic mix. Koopmans describes its organic multigrain mix as having a full grain flavour and a slight bite; that alone doesn’t tell you whether seeds have been added.
If you need a gluten-free product or have to avoid certain allergens, choose based on the information on the pack you’re buying. Also check for any warnings about cross-contamination.
First, decide whether the mix itself needs to contain seeds. Then compare the ingredients you’ll need, the grains in the mix and how many pancakes you want to make.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal preparation | Which ingredients do you need to add, and how many pancakes does the pack make according to the instructions? | If I want breakfast without an extra trip to the shops, I’ll check in advance whether water is enough. Around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping preparation to a minimum. |
| Grains and texture | Which grains are listed in the ingredients? Check for seeds separately if you need them. | If I want the pancake itself to have a more pronounced grain flavour, I’ll look at the mix’s ingredients. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Diet and allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergen information, any cross-contamination warnings and whether it is labelled gluten-free if required. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, making sure the specific pack is suitable comes before convenience or flavour. This is the first priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Toppings and presentation | Does the mix you’ve chosen suit the sweet or savoury toppings you have planned? Check the ingredients too if you want seeds in the mix. | If I’m making breakfast or dessert with my choice of toppings, I want a base that suits my plans. Another 20% or so of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
A label such as multigrain or wholemeal doesn’t automatically mean seeds or kernels have been added. The texture may be different from what you expect.
If seeds are a must, look for them specifically in the ingredients list of the mix you’re considering.
According to Koopmans, its Origineel mix calls for milk, eggs and butter, while its Compleet mix only needs water, according to the product information. That makes a difference to how much you need to get ready beforehand.
Read the instructions before choosing between a basic mix, a complete mix and a shaker bottle.
With a basic mix, you’ll also need to have the additional ingredients on hand.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid an ingredient.
Check the label on the exact pack you’re using, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
For its 200 g complete mix, Jumbo says the prepared batter should be used straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli.
Follow the instructions on the pack and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
These brands offer different types of pancake mix. Compare the features of each product and pack, rather than choosing based on the brand name alone.
Offers classic, complete, multigrain and wholemeal mixes, as well as a shaker bottle.
Offers own-brand options and branded products, including plain, multigrain and wholemeal mixes.
Offers its own complete and plain pancake mixes.
Offers, among other products, its own complete mix and multigrain products.
ALDI lists Albona pancake mix in plain and multigrain varieties.
A shaker bottle is worth considering if you want to make a smaller amount: according to Albert Heijn, the Koopmans Shaker Bottle Origineel makes 4 to 6 pancakes. If you mainly want to keep the number of extra ingredients to a minimum, look for a complete mix and check how many pancakes the pack makes.
Not necessarily: multigrain doesn’t automatically mean seeds or kernels have been added. Albert Heijn’s ingredient information for Koopmans wholemeal mix lists wholemeal oat flour, wholemeal wheat flour and buckwheat flour. If you’re specifically looking for seeds, check the ingredients list on your mix.
Don’t taste pancake batter raw; cook the pancakes thoroughly instead. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria, including E. coli.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. If you need a gluten-free product, check that it is clearly labelled as gluten-free. Look out for any warnings about cross-contamination too; according to Albert Heijn, online product information about ingredients and allergens can change.
