Organisers with limited preparation space
If you want to measure out as few ingredients as possible before cooking, look for a complete mix. Check how much water you’ll need and how many pancakes the exact pack makes.
Which approach is right for you?
Organisers who want to choose their own recipe
If you want to add the milk and eggs yourself, a basic mix may suit the way you work. Bear in mind that you’ll need to buy and prepare these extra ingredients for the batter.
Organisers who need to communicate allergen information
If you’re professionally serving unpackaged pancakes to consumers, you’ll need to consider more than just the mix: allergen information must also cover toppings and any recipe changes.
What should you consider when choosing?
400 g complete mix
When to choose it: go for this option if you want to prepare fewer separate batter ingredients for your main supply.
The trade-off: the complete mixes reviewed require water for the batter, but you’ll still need cooking fat and a cooking station. A complete mix isn’t automatically free from milk or egg.
Basic or plain mix
When to choose it: go for this option if you want to add the milk and eggs to the batter yourself.
The trade-off: you’ll need to prepare those ingredients separately. The stated yield per pack doesn’t, by itself, tell you how long it’ll take to cook all the pancakes.
Complete mix in a shaker bottle
When to choose it: consider this format for a small, separate cooking station or a limited top-up.
The trade-off: according to Joybuy, the Koopmans shaker bottle reviewed makes 4 to 6 pancakes per bottle. Match the number of bottles to the portions you’re planning.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and workload | Check which ingredients you need to add to the exact pack and what cooking equipment you’ll need. | At a busy cooking station, I want to make the batter without measuring lots of separate ingredients. Less preparation is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Yield and recipe choice | Compare the stated yield per pack and plan for any ingredients you’ll add yourself. | If I want to make up the batter myself, I’m happy to do some extra preparation, but I need to know how many portions I can make. For around 33% of consumers, having that recipe choice is the deciding factor. |
| Allergens and serving | Read the label on the mix you buy and record the ingredients in each batter and topping you offer. | When guests can choose from different pancakes and toppings, I want to be able to tell them which allergens they contain. That’s the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Using ‘premium’ as a substitute for comparing products
The word doesn’t tell you how many pancakes a pack makes, what you need to add or which allergens it contains. So it won’t help you plan your buffet preparation.
Decide which features matter for your buffet, then compare the labels and preparation instructions for the exact products.
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Confusing a complete mix with a complete cooking set-up
Adding only water to the batter doesn’t mean the pancakes will be ready for the buffet without cooking fat, equipment or time to cook them.
As well as planning how many packs you’ll need, arrange the cooking station, cooking fat and timings for preparing and serving the pancakes.
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Including only the mix in your allergen information
A topping or a change to the recipe can affect the allergens in the pancakes you serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says businesses and caterers serving unpackaged food to consumers must inform customers about any allergens it contains.
Keep a record for each batter and topping, update it whenever the recipe changes and make sure the information is available to guests.
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Planning to use a small shaker bottle as your main supply
The Koopmans Pancake Complete Shaker Bottle described by Joybuy makes 4 to 6 pancakes per bottle. For a larger number of portions, you’ll need several bottles and the time to prepare each one.
First work out how many guests you’ll have and how many portions you want to serve. Then compare the stated yield per pack before choosing your main supply.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers several types of pancake mix, including Original, Complete, wholegrain and shaker bottle versions.
- According to Koopmans, Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack, while Complete makes 8 to 10.
- Preparation methods and allergens vary by product: for Original, you add milk and eggs, among other ingredients, while Complete requires water for the batter.
PLUS
PLUS has plain and complete pancake mixes in 400 g packs, both of which were reviewed.
- According to PLUS, its Complete mix requires 700 ml of water per pack for the batter.
- For its plain mix, PLUS specifies 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk and 3 eggs per pack. Check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen product separately.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes its own-brand mixes, organic wholegrain mixes and products from Koopmans.
- The range gives you a starting point for comparing mix types and pack sizes.
- Before ordering, check the latest product information and availability for your delivery address or local shop.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI brand. Its range includes a 400 g wholegrain pancake mix that was reviewed.
- ALDI’s product page makes the mix type and pack size clear.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before deciding whether a product meets a specific dietary requirement.
Belbake
Belbake is a Lidl brand offering Original and wholegrain pancake mixes.
- For the 400 g Original mix reviewed, Lidl states a yield of around 12 pancakes.
- Lidl says this product is sold in store, so check availability at the shop you plan to visit.
Products compared
This comparison is based on the number of ingredient steps, the stated yield and the product information relevant to a wedding buffet. It isn’t a ranking of taste or quality: choosing a different recipe may lead you to a different product.
| Position | Product | Features | The trade-off | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koopmans Complete Pancake Mix 400 g | According to Albert Heijn, you add 700 ml of water; Koopmans states that each pack makes 8 to 10 pancakes. | Means fewer separate batter ingredients for your main supply. Plan for cooking fat and cooking time separately. | Albert Heijn / Koopmans |
| 2 | PLUS Complete Pancake Mix 400 g | PLUS specifies 700 ml of water per pack for the batter. | Another water-based mix for anyone who wants to measure out fewer ingredients. PLUS says you’ll also need butter or oil to cook the pancakes. | PLUS |
| 3 | Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g | Koopmans states that each pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes and that you prepare it with ingredients including milk and eggs. | Suited to adding your own batter ingredients, but it requires more separate preparation steps. | Koopmans |
| 4 | PLUS Plain Pancake Mix 400 g | PLUS specifies 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk and 3 eggs per pack. | Lets you add your own batter ingredients, but remember to include them in your preparation plans. | PLUS |
| 5 | Koopmans Complete Pancake Shaker Bottle 210 g | According to Joybuy, you add 350 ml of water and the bottle makes 4 to 6 pancakes. | Better suited to a small cooking station or a top-up than to planning the main supply for a large buffet. | Joybuy |
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These products include packs for batter made with ingredients you add yourself, a complete shaker bottle for a small cooking station, and a mix whose yield you’ll need to check before planning your buffet.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone who wants to add their own batter ingredients when preparing for the buffet.
400 g pack. Check the preparation instructions, yield and allergen label on the product you buy before planning your portions.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For a buffet where you want to add and prepare the batter ingredients yourself.
400 g pack. Check the instructions and label on this pack for the ingredients required, yield and allergens.
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Koopmans Complete Pancake Shaker Bottle 210 g
For a small, separate cooking station or a limited top-up during the buffet.
According to Joybuy, the shaker bottle requires 350 ml of water and makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check the label for allergens too.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu Milk-Flavoured Pancake Mix 100 g
For a planned cooking station, you can work out how much you need once you know the yield per pack.
100 g pack. Check the preparation instructions and allergen label before using this mix for the buffet.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix involves the least measuring for the batter?
A complete mix that requires only water for the batter means you’ll need fewer separate ingredients. Albert Heijn specifies 700 ml of water for the Koopmans Complete mix reviewed, and PLUS gives the same amount for its Complete mix. You’ll still need cooking fat, a pan and time to cook the pancakes.
Do I need to provide allergen information at a pancake buffet?
If you’re a business or caterer serving unpackaged pancakes to consumers, you must inform customers about any allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains this requirement for unpackaged food. Include toppings and any recipe changes in the information you provide too.
Can I use a complete mix for guests avoiding milk, egg or gluten?
Don’t assume so just because the product is called ‘complete’: the complete mixes reviewed contain ingredients that may matter to these guests. Check the label on the exact pack and assess the toppings and preparation separately before offering a suitable option.
Can I serve raw pancake batter as a taster?
Don’t serve raw batter as a taster. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw flour may contain harmful bacteria, so cook the pancakes before serving them.