Home cooks with the basics in the cupboard
If you already have milk, eggs and fat for frying at home, you can choose a dry plain mix and prepare the batter according to the instructions on the pack. Check what you need to add for each variety.
Which mix is right for you?
Home cooks who want less measuring
A complete mix that only requires water means fewer separate ingredients to measure out when making batter. The PLUS Complete mix we looked at already contains milk and egg ingredients in the powder; you’ll still need fat for frying.
Anyone who needs to check ingredients
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, the exact variety matters more than whether it’s labelled plain or complete. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warning about the possible presence of other allergens on the pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to make the batter yourself and which ingredients you can add. Then compare the pack size, preparation method and variety you want.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients to add | Check how much milk, how many eggs and how much fat for frying you’ll need, and how many pancakes the manufacturer says the pack makes. | If I already have milk and eggs at home, I want to use them to make my own batter. For around 42% of consumers, choosing a mix that fits what they already have in their cupboards comes first. |
| Ease of mixing | Check whether you need to add water, or milk and eggs as well, and whether the pack is a shaker bottle. | I want to make batter without measuring several ingredients, even if I still need a pan and fat for frying. Around 25% of consumers say this convenience is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any wording about the possible presence of other allergens for the exact variety. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For around 17% of consumers, the information on the label is their main concern. |
| Variety you want | Check whether the mix you’ve chosen is, for example, plain, multigrain, wholemeal or a shaker-bottle variety. These labels don’t all mean the same thing. | I’m looking for a particular type of mix and want to make sure the pack is suitable. This choice of variety comes first for around 16% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the dry mix
A plain mix may also require milk, eggs and fat for frying. What you already have at home can therefore influence which pack is most practical for you.
Before you buy, read the preparation instructions and make a note of any ingredients you still need.
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Assuming a complete mix is free from milk or egg
The PLUS Complete mix we looked at is prepared with water, but PLUS says it contains whey powder and egg powder. The liquid you add doesn’t tell you which ingredients are already in the powder.
For the exact variety, check both the ingredients list and the allergen information on the label.
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Treating frozen pancakes like dry mix
A ready-made frozen product doesn’t need to be mixed into batter. It also has its own ingredients and storage instructions.
First decide whether you want to make pancakes from batter or heat ready-made ones.
You’ll also need space in the freezer for a frozen product and must follow the storage instructions.
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Assuming a particular variety will always be available
A gluten-free own-label mix from Jumbo that we looked at was no longer listed in its online range. This doesn’t tell you whether other varieties are available.
Check the current product page or the supermarket shelf, and read the label again if you choose an alternative.
Brands and own-label options to consider
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-label range includes plain, multigrain and wholemeal pancake mixes.
- The plain mix we looked at comes in a 400 g pack. Albert Heijn says to add 3 eggs, 800 ml semi-skimmed milk and fat for frying; the pack is intended to make around 12 pancakes.
- The mix we looked at contains wheat, buckwheat and oats. Check the allergen information on the pack you buy, too.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a 400 g plain mix and also offered a separate gluten-free variety.
- According to Jumbo, the plain mix we looked at contains wheat, buckwheat and oats; the product information also mentions the possible presence of egg and milk.
- The Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten mix we looked at was no longer listed in the online range. Check which variety is available and assess its label separately.
PLUS
The PLUS own-label range includes both a plain mix and a complete pancake mix, each in a 400 g pack.
- PLUS says its plain mix requires 800 ml semi-skimmed milk, 3 eggs and butter or oil. For its complete mix, PLUS lists 700 ml water and fat for frying.
- The complete mix contains whey powder and egg powder. Adding only water during preparation doesn’t make it free from milk or egg.
ALBONA
ALBONA is the own-label brand under which ALDI sells products including pancake mixes.
- ALDI lists a plain mix and another pancake mix, both in 400 g packs.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation method on the pack of the mix you choose.
Koopmans
Koopmans has a range of pancake mixes, including original, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and shaker-bottle varieties.
- Looking at the varieties individually lets you choose between adding ingredients yourself and using a different preparation method.
- The brand name doesn’t tell you the ingredients or preparation method for every variety, so read the label on the specific pack.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These products are dry mixes for making pancake batter at home. The selection includes plain, multigrain and complete varieties. Check what you need to add to each pack and which size suits your plans.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
For anyone looking for a multigrain variety and wanting to make their own batter at home.
Check the preparation instructions to see what you need to add. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, read the label for this variety.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
For anyone looking for a standard dry mix to make their own pancake batter.
Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add. The variety name alone doesn’t tell you everything about preparation or allergens.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete pancake mix, 210 g
A complete variety for anyone who wants to measure out fewer separate ingredients when making batter.
The pack contains 210 g. Check the preparation instructions and ingredients list for this variety; complete doesn’t mean allergen-free.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A smaller pack for anyone who wants to make a limited amount of batter at home.
The pack contains 100 g. Check the preparation instructions and stated yield if you want to work out in advance how many pancakes you’ll make.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a standard own-label mix?
A standard own-label mix is a good choice if you want to make your own batter and can add the required ingredients. Before buying, check how much milk, how many eggs and how much fat for frying the pack you’ve chosen requires.
What’s the difference between plain and complete?
For the PLUS varieties we looked at, the main difference is what you add to the batter: PLUS lists 800 ml milk and 3 eggs for the plain mix, and 700 ml water for the Complete mix. The complete variety contains whey powder and egg powder, and you also need to add fat for frying.
Where can I find allergen information on a pack of pancake mix?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. Check the information on the exact pack you’re buying, even if you’ve used a different variety from the same brand before.
Can I compare frozen pancakes with dry mix?
Not as like-for-like products: frozen pancakes are already cooked, while dry mix still needs to be made into batter and cooked. Choose frozen pancakes if you want something to heat up, and check the storage and preparation instructions.