Family stock-up shopper
You’re planning a pancake session and can add milk, eggs and cooking fat to your weekly shop. Albert Heijn’s plain mix comes in a 400 g pack and, according to the product information, makes around 12 pancakes.
Who are you buying the mix for?
Gift-giver who wants to keep things simple
You’re looking for a small edible gift that makes it clear what the recipient will need. The Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at require water and cooking fat, while the PLUS shaker bottle requires milk. Check the instructions for the variety you choose before giving it as a gift.
Shopper buying for someone with dietary requirements or allergies
You need to check whether the mix is suitable for the recipient. To do this, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack, even if the product is described as a complete or gluten-free mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on labels.
What should you consider?
If you’re buying a small gift as part of your weekly shop, first think about how the recipient will use the mix. Then compare the pack size, any additional ingredients needed and any dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for the baking session | Compare the pack size and, if stated, the number of pancakes each pack makes. | If I’m making pancakes for the whole household, I want to know whether one pack will be enough. Around 40% of these consumers would consider quantity their main priority. |
| Convenience for the recipient | Check which ingredients need to be added and whether the prepared batter needs to be used straight away. | I want to give a gift that doesn’t mean the recipient has to go out and buy lots of ingredients first. Around 30% of consumers would put ease of use first. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack. If you need a gluten-free option, look for the specific variety. | If I’m buying for someone with dietary requirements or allergies, the mix needs to be suitable for them. For around 20% of consumers, this check would be their first priority. |
| Flavour and variety | Find out which variety the recipient would like and whether it goes with the toppings they have in mind. | If the recipient likes to try different toppings, I don’t want to choose a strongly flavoured variety without knowing their preference. Around 10% of consumers would focus mainly on this. |
What could you get wrong?
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Assuming ‘complete’ means ‘allergen-free’
The Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at contain ingredients including wheat, milk and egg. Their preparation instructions also say that cooking fat is needed for baking.
Read both the ingredients list and the preparation instructions before choosing a complete mix for someone else.
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Giving someone a standard mix without asking about dietary requirements
A pack that seems suitable for the planned baking session might not be suitable for the recipient. Don’t rely on the product category or brand if gluten or other allergens are a concern.
Ask what requirements they have and check the information on the pack. Koopmans describes its specific gluten-free pancake mix as AOECS-compliant; this does not automatically apply to other Koopmans mixes.
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Relying only on the online product description
When giving and preparing the mix, the information on the pack you actually buy is what matters. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that ingredients and allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Before giving the gift, check the label, preparation instructions and best-before date on the pack.
Brands to compare
Koopmans
Koopmans offers an original mix, complete mixes, shaker bottles and a specific gluten-free variety.
- According to Koopmans, a pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes.
- Choose according to the variety: ‘complete’ doesn’t mean suitable for someone with an allergy. Check the ingredients on the specific pack.
AH
Albert Heijn’s plain pancake mix comes in a 400 g box, ideal for a planned baking session.
- Albert Heijn says each pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- The stated preparation method also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. Check the allergens on the pack too.
PLUS
PLUS offers a 400 g box of plain mix, a 400 g complete mix and a 200 g plain shaker bottle.
- According to PLUS, the complete mix requires water and cooking fat, while the plain mix in a box is made with milk, eggs and cooking fat.
- The shaker bottle requires milk. PLUS says that batter prepared in this bottle should be used straight away.
Albona
ALDI describes Albona plain pancake mix as a 400 g box.
- ALDI’s preparation instructions, which use milk and eggs, make it clear which ingredients you’ll need to include when planning your baking session.
- If the recipient has dietary requirements or allergies, read all the information on the pack.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes come in different pack sizes, making them suitable for a small gift or a planned baking session. Choose a variety only once you know what the recipient has at home for preparation and which ingredients are suitable for them.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
The 210 g pack could be a good fit for a small gift. Check which ingredients are needed to prepare this mix on the pack; don’t assume based on the word ‘Complete’ in its name.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix 400 g
This box is a good fit for a planned baking session. According to Koopmans, a pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Check which ingredients the recipient will still need, and read the label if they have dietary requirements or allergies.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
The 175 g shaker pack is an option if you’re looking for a compact mix to give as a gift. Read the instructions on the bottle to find out what needs to be added and how many pancakes it makes.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix 400 g
This 400 g box is a good fit for someone who specifically wants to use the Wholegrains variety for a planned baking session. Check the preparation ingredients, grains and allergens listed on the pack.
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g'woon Pancake Mix Complete 200 g
This 200 g pack is sold as a complete pancake mix. Check the packaging to see what’s needed to prepare it, and use the physical label to check the ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is a standard pancake mix a useful gift on its own?
It depends on what the recipient already has at home: the plain mixes in boxes from Albert Heijn and PLUS that we looked at also require milk, eggs and cooking fat. If you’re giving the pack on its own, check the preparation instructions and let them know what else they’ll need.
Can I give a standard mix to someone who eats gluten-free?
Don’t assume a standard pancake mix will be suitable. Check the recipient’s requirements and read the label on the specific variety. Koopmans describes its separate gluten-free mix as AOECS-compliant, but this does not apply to its entire range.
What allergen information should I check on a pack?
Read the ingredients list, clearly highlighted allergens and any information about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly indicated on the label of pre-packed foods. For pancake mix, pay particular attention to cereals containing gluten, egg and milk.