Who needs to know the difference?

Home bakers who want to bake bread

If you want to make a risen loaf, you’ll need instructions for bread dough and the method you plan to use. The Koopmans pancake mixes discussed here, for example, are intended for batter cooked in a frying pan.

Pancake makers looking for convenience

When making pancakes, it matters whether you need to add milk and eggs or can simply mix the batter with water. Koopmans and PLUS offer examples of both types. Check the packaging to see which cooking fat you’ll need too.

Shoppers with specific ingredient requirements

If you prefer wholegrains or buckwheat, compare the ingredients in the variety you choose. If you need to avoid an allergen or are looking for a product labelled gluten-free, don’t base your choice on the mix’s name alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to bake bread or make pancakes. Then compare the preparation method and ingredients of mixes designed for that result.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Suitable for bread For a risen loaf, look for a mix designed for bread dough. Check that the instructions suit the oven or bread maker you plan to use. If I want to bake a risen loaf, I don’t want to end up with a mix described only for pancake batter. Bread suitability is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Convenience for pancakes Check whether you need to add milk, eggs, water and cooking fat; this varies from one mix to another. When I make pancakes, I want to know which ingredients I need to have at home. Easy preparation is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Grains and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’ve chosen. If needed, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. If I have a specific grain preference or need to avoid an allergen, the product name alone doesn’t tell me enough. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘premium’ means it’s suitable for baking bread

    A label such as premium or multigrain doesn’t mean a pancake mix is made for bread dough. The pancake mixes discussed here have instructions for batter cooked in a frying pan.

    Start with the result you want: for a risen loaf, choose a product specifically designed as a bread mix.

  • Overlooking allergens in a complete mix

    Having to add only water to the batter doesn’t mean the dry mix is free from milk or egg. PLUS Complete lists whey powder and egg powder as ingredients.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’re buying, even if it says ‘complete’ on the front.

  • Looking only at what’s in the box

    For Koopmans Origineel, you add milk, eggs and butter. According to Koopmans, Koopmans Compleet can be mixed with water, but you’ll still need a frying pan and cooking fat to cook the pancakes.

    Read all the preparation instructions before deciding which mix will work best for your kitchen and shopping list.

  • Treating online product information as the definitive label

    Albert Heijn notes that product ingredients and allergen information can change. If your choice depends on this information, the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen is the deciding factor.

    When you buy, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging.

Brands worth considering

Koopmans

Koopmans offers several pancake mixes, including Origineel, Compleet and Volkoren.

  • According to Koopmans, Origineel requires milk, eggs and butter, while Compleet can be mixed with water. Koopmans Volkoren lists wholegrain oat flour, wholemeal wheat flour and buckwheat flour.
  • These are pancake mixes. For a risen loaf, choose a mix with instructions for bread dough.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn stocks several types of pancake mix, including plain varieties and options specifically labelled gluten-free.

  • According to the product information, you add milk to AH Naturel.
  • Ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a plain pancake mix and also stocks separate buckwheat-based pancake mixes.

  • Jumbo Naturel lists wheat flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder and wholegrain oat flour, among other ingredients.
  • Jumbo Naturel contains wheat. A buckwheat mix is a different product, so check the ingredients and allergens of each variety separately.

PLUS

PLUS offers both a plain and a complete pancake mix.

  • According to the preparation instructions, you add milk, eggs and butter or oil to PLUS Naturel. PLUS Complete can be mixed with water.
  • PLUS Complete lists whey powder and egg powder. So, only needing to add water doesn’t mean it’s free from milk or egg.

ALDI / Albona

ALDI stocks pancake mixes under the Albona brand, as well as separate bread mixes.

  • According to ALDI, the plain pancake mix is made with milk and eggs. The separate bread mix makes it clear that these products are intended for different uses.
  • Check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen to make sure you have a pancake mix or a bread mix, and to see which ingredients you need to add.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pancake mix instead of bread mix?

Not if you want to make a typical risen loaf using a mix designed for that purpose. The pancake mixes discussed here are intended for batter cooked in a frying pan. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that bread is made with flour, liquid, a raising agent and salt. Choose a bread mix with instructions that suit your chosen method.

When should I choose a complete pancake mix?

A complete pancake mix is a good choice if you want to make pancakes without having to add many ingredients to the batter yourself. According to their product information, Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Complete can be mixed with water. Still, check the ingredients in the dry mix and what you’ll need to cook the pancakes.

Is a wholemeal or buckwheat pancake mix automatically gluten-free?

No. Koopmans Volkoren lists wholemeal wheat flour, among other ingredients. The name ‘buckwheat mix’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you everything about the ingredients or any allergen warnings either. If needed, choose a variety explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.

Where can I check the allergens in a pancake mix?

Check the allergens on the label of the packaging you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. Also read the full ingredients list and any warnings for that exact variety.