A complete pancake mix is a good fit for a canteen team that wants to make the batter with water. A plain, original or wholemeal mix works well when adding milk and eggs during preparation suits your kitchen routine. Don’t choose any of these options simply because you expect the pancakes to be thick and firm enough to slice: the preparation instructions we reviewed describe a thin layer of batter. Try your preferred portion in a test batch and factor in the allergens in the complete preparation.
You want to serve pancakes in easy-to-handle pieces. The preparation instructions from brands including PLUS and Jumbo call for a thin layer of batter. Try your preferred thickness, portion size and serving method in a test batch first.
You want to make the basic batter without measuring out milk and eggs separately. According to their product information, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Compleet and PLUS Complete only require water; check the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
You need to know which allergens are in the mix, added ingredients and toppings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the information requirements for non-prepacked foods; record the information for the complete preparation before serving it.
First, check that your preferred snack format works in a test batch. Then choose a preparation method and pack size to suit lunch service, and check the allergens in the complete preparation.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness and ease of slicing | Cook a test portion in the pan you plan to use and check how easily it can be sliced and served, including with your planned topping. The PLUS and Jumbo instructions we reviewed describe a thin batter. | I want to serve pieces that are easy to handle when dishing up. For around 37% of consumers, this snack format is the top priority. |
| Preparation during lunch service | Check which ingredients the exact mix requires. Koopmans Compleet lists water as an addition; PLUS Complete specifies 700 ml of water per 400 g of mix. | If I don’t want to measure out milk and eggs for the basic batter during lunch service, I prefer a mix that only needs water. Simple preparation is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and recipe | Read the current label and include added ingredients and toppings in the allergen information. For cereals containing gluten, state which cereals are involved. | When serving non-prepacked food, I want to be able to tell employees accurately what their portion contains before they choose it. This responsibility is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Batch size and handling leftovers | Compare the stated yield with the portions you plan to serve, and make sure you can refrigerate any prepared leftovers. Koopmans Professioneel lists mixes in 1 kg and 5 kg packs; check the yield of the exact variant. | I don’t want to prepare more batter than lunch service requires, and I need to be able to store leftovers. That’s why batch planning is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
The instructions we reviewed for a range of complete, plain and wholemeal mixes describe batter that spreads thinly over the base of the pan. So the name of a mix won’t tell you whether the thicker portion you want will stay firm when served.
Cook a small test batch using your planned pan, portion size, topping and serving method. Finalise the recipe and batch size only once the test gives you the result you want to serve.
If a test batch isn’t suitable, you’ll need to spend extra time preparing more food, and some may go to waste.
Some complete mixes we checked contain ingredients including wheat, milk and egg; the ingredients vary between other variants. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present must be available for non-prepacked foods.
Prepare an allergen overview covering the exact mix, the ingredients you actually add and the toppings. Update it if the packaging or recipe changes.
PLUS says that batter made with its bottled pancake mix should be used immediately after adding milk. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving cooked pancakes out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Match the amount of batter to the expected number of portions, follow the instructions for the exact mix, and promptly refrigerate any leftover cooked pancakes in a covered container.
You may have to throw away leftovers if you can’t store them in line with the recommended guidance.
Koopmans’ consumer mixes include Original, which requires you to add ingredients such as milk and eggs, and Compleet, which the brand says only needs water. Koopmans Professioneel also offers larger packs and separate professional mix categories.
Albert Heijn’s category page includes plain, complete, multigrain and wholemeal mixes, as well as other variants.
Jumbo offers Naturel and Compleet in 400 g packs. The listed ingredients differ: Naturel includes ingredients such as wheat, buckwheat and oat flour, while Compleet includes wheat, milk and egg.
PLUS offers Naturel, Complete and Volkoren, as well as a mix in a bottle. Preparation instructions and required additions vary by variant.
ALDI offers Albona plain pancake baking mix in a 395 g pack and a 400 g multigrain variant. For the plain mix, ALDI lists milk and eggs as additions.
Lidl offers Belbake Original Pancake Mix in a 400 g pack, which the product page says makes approximately 12 pancakes.
These mixes suit different ways of preparing a test batch for canteen lunch service: with ingredients you add yourself or, for a complete variant, with water. The pack size and instructions on the exact product determine how you plan the test and any subsequent lunch batch; you’ll still need to test how well the pancakes slice.
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An option for trying a multigrain recipe in your intended lunch portion size. Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens apply to the complete preparation; test how well the pancakes slice before serving.
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Suited to a kitchen that adds its own milk and eggs to the batter. Koopmans says a pack of Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes; check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack you choose, and try your preferred snack format first.
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Worth considering for a small test batch if you’re looking for a complete mix. Check how much water the exact pack requires, plan how many portions you’ll need, and take account of allergens in the mix and toppings. The word ‘Complete’ doesn’t tell you how well the pancakes will slice.
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The shaker format could work for a small test batch where you add the milk yourself. Check the instructions and yield for this pack before scaling up, and test whether the cooked portion is suitable for serving in pieces.
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A 100 g pack to consider for a small batch. Before planning a larger lunch batch, check the preparation instructions, allergens in the complete preparation and the number of portions it makes; test your preferred snack format first.
Yes. When serving non-prepacked pancakes to consumers, information about any allergens present must be available before purchase. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information can be provided in writing, electronically or, subject to certain conditions, verbally. For cereals containing gluten, you must also state which cereal is involved. Include the mix, added ingredients and toppings in this information.
Look for a complete mix whose preparation instructions list water as the only addition. Koopmans says this applies to Pannenkoeken Compleet; PLUS specifies 700 ml of water per 400 g for its Complete mix. Check the exact pack for allergens, and separately test whether the pancakes are suitable for your planned snack format.
Cool any leftover cooked pancakes promptly and store them in a sealed container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving them out of the fridge for more than two hours and keeping them in the fridge for no longer than two days. For unused batter, also follow the instructions for the exact mix.
