Working from home with a well-stocked cupboard
If you already have milk, eggs and cooking fat at home, you could consider a standard mix. Check the packet to see what else you need for that variety, so you’re not caught short at lunchtime.
Which mix is right for you?
Working from home with a short lunch break
If you want less measuring and washing up, a complete mix or a shaker bottle could be a good fit. A complete mix needs water; the liquid needed for a shaker bottle varies by variety.
Shopping for a particular grain or dietary requirement
If you’re looking for multigrain, wholegrain, organic or specifically gluten-free, check the description, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out what you already have at home and how much preparation fits into your lunch break. Then check whether the variety you’ve chosen meets your grain or dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients needed | Check what you’ll need in addition to the mix and compare it with what you have at home. | If I already have milk and eggs at home, a standard mix won’t disrupt my lunch plans; around 37% of consumers would put any extra ingredients needed first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check which liquid you need and whether you have to shake the mixture or leave the batter to stand. | Between meetings, I want to do as little measuring and mixing as possible. For around 27% of consumers, this would be the main deciding factor. |
| Type of grain | Compare the product description with the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging. | For my lunch, I want to choose a particular type of grain or an organic variety. Around 18% of consumers would put that preference first. |
| Diet and allergens | Read the current allergen information and check that the product is clearly labelled as meeting your requirements. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, a suitable product description matters more than convenience. For around 18% of consumers, this need would be the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Only looking at the mix in the packet
A standard mix may need milk, eggs and cooking fat. These ingredients can affect whether you can make lunch without any extra preparation.
Read the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen and check what you already have at home.
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Assuming every shaker bottle is a complete mix
Koopmans’ original shaker bottle needs milk, while Joybuy says its complete shaker bottle variety is made with water. The bottle format doesn’t tell you what to add.
Before buying, check the instructions for that exact shaker bottle.
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Assuming multigrain means wholegrain
According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain cereal products are made from the whole grain. The term ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean a mix is wholegrain.
If you’re looking for wholegrain, check the product description and ingredients on the packet you’ve chosen.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Product information can change. Albert Heijn therefore advises customers to read the packaging, while Lidl says it doesn’t have a general online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products.
If you have an allergy, check the current packaging and only choose a variety whose description and allergen information meet your requirements.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a standard mix, a complete mix and shaker bottles. The best option depends mainly on what you want to add and how much mixing you want to do.
- Koopmans says Pannenkoeken Compleet needs only water and makes 8 to 10 pancakes.
- The liquid needed varies between shaker bottle varieties, so read the instructions for the version you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists plain, multigrain, wholegrain and complete pancake mixes to suit different preparation methods and grain preferences.
- The different varieties let you choose between options including plain and wholegrain.
- Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists plain, complete and organic mixes, as well as a separate gluten-free variety.
- Jumbo says its Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Pannenkoeken Mix carries the Crossed Grain trademark. This applies to this specific variety.
- Check the product description and allergen information on each packet rather than assuming one variety has the same qualities as another.
ALDI / Albona
ALDI lists both a plain and a multigrain pancake baking mix in its Albona range.
- The two mix types give you a choice based on your grain preference.
- Check which ingredients you still need to add for the mix you’ve chosen.
PLUS
PLUS lists a plain packet mix, a complete mix and a bottle mix. Each has a different method of preparation.
- For its complete mix, PLUS says to add 700 ml of water; for the bottle mix, around 400 ml of semi-skimmed milk.
- According to the instructions, the PLUS bottle mix needs to stand for 2 to 3 minutes after shaking.
Lidl / Belbake
Lidl lists Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel as a packet mix.
- The product description makes clear which Belbake variety you’re looking at.
- Lidl doesn’t have a general online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products, so check the packaging.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These Koopmans mixes at Joybuy let you choose between a complete mix, a shaker bottle made with milk, a mix with a grain description and a standard packet mix. Compare the instructions for the specific variety with your lunch break and what you have at home.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
This complete shaker bottle is a good choice if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs for lunch. Joybuy says to add 350 ml of water for this variety. Check the current packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
This packet mix is an option if the grain description matters to you. Check the packaging to see which grains the mix contains, what you need to add and whether the product description meets your requirements.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
This shaker bottle is a good choice if you’d rather mix the batter in the packaging. This variety needs milk; check the packet for the amount required and the rest of the preparation instructions.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
This packet mix is a good choice if you have milk and eggs at home and want to make several pancakes. Joybuy says to use 850 ml of milk, two eggs and butter or oil, making 11 to 13 pancakes.
Frequently asked questions
When is a complete pancake mix useful for lunch?
A complete mix is useful if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs. Koopmans says to use water for Pannenkoeken Compleet; PLUS says to add water and baking butter or oil to its complete mix. Read the instructions for the variety you choose.
Do all shaker bottles only need water?
No, the liquid needed varies by shaker bottle. Koopmans says to use milk for its original shaker bottle, while Joybuy says to use water for Koopmans Pancakes Complete in the shaker bottle. So check the instructions on the packet you’ve chosen.
Should I still read the label if I have an allergy and ordered online?
Yes, check the current packaging before using the mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change.
Is a multigrain mix automatically wholegrain?
No, the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t prove that a mix is wholegrain. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain cereal products are made from the whole grain; check the description and ingredients of the mix you’ve chosen.
How should I store dry pancake mix?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific packet. Jumbo says to store its organic pancake mix in a cool, dark place; according to Jumbo, the best-before date is printed on the packaging.