If you want to serve pancakes alongside cake and choose the flavour and presentation yourself, go for a mix where you know which extra ingredients are needed, then finish the pancakes with your favourite toppings. A complete mix is a better fit if you want to add as few separate ingredients as possible. A shaker is an option for a smaller batch, while a multigrain mix lets you choose based mainly on the grains it contains. None of these names guarantees a particularly special dessert in itself: check the preparation instructions, yield and current packaging for the mix you choose.
Start by thinking about what you want to prepare for your coffee break: the pancake toppings, the batter or both.
If you want to serve pancakes alongside cake and offer toppings separately, you can decide how to present them. With a standard mix, remember to check which ingredients you need to add to the batter; Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Origineel mix requires milk and eggs.
A complete mix is a good option if you don’t want to measure out milk and eggs separately for the batter. The Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at require water; for a smaller batch, you could also consider a shaker and check how many pancakes it makes.
If ingredients or allergens will determine your choice, compare the exact products rather than relying on the mix names alone. The varieties we looked at contain, or may contain, cereals containing gluten, egg and milk.
First, decide how much you want to add to the batter yourself and how many pancakes you’d like to make. Then compare the ingredients in the variety that suits your plan. You can choose your own toppings with a complete mix, too.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Finishing the pancakes your way | Check which ingredients you need to add to the batter and whether the yield will suit your dessert table. | I want to serve pancakes alongside cake and choose the toppings myself. Around 31% of consumers say having the freedom to finish them their own way is their top priority. |
| Minimal preparation | Check whether the mix requires water or milk and how many pancakes the pack makes. | For a spontaneous coffee break, I want to make the batter with as few separate ingredients as possible. Around 31% of consumers say convenience is the main reason for their choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and any relevant statements about what the product contains or may contain. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, what’s in the mix matters more than the name on the front of the pack. Around 23% of consumers say this is their most important consideration. |
| Quantity per batch | Compare the pack size with the stated yield; a small shaker and a larger pack are not designed for the same batch size. | I’m making pancakes for several people and want to know in advance whether one pack will be enough. Around 15% of consumers say quantity is their first consideration. |
Terms such as original, complete or multigrain tell you something different from how the pancakes will ultimately be served at your coffee table. The toppings you choose and how you prepare them still make the difference.
First, decide how much you want to add and finish yourself. Then check the yield and preparation instructions on the pack you’re considering.
These words don’t mean that a mix is free from cereals containing gluten, egg or milk. Ingredients can also vary between different varieties from the same brand.
Read the current label on the exact pack, including any statements about ingredients it contains or may contain if these are relevant to your choice.
Koopmans says not to eat the batter raw when using its complete mix. The Voedingscentrum advises thoroughly cooking dishes that contain raw egg as an ingredient.
Don’t taste the batter raw, and cook the pancakes all the way through before serving.
Always compare specific varieties within a brand: plain, complete and multigrain mixes may have different ingredients and preparation instructions.
Koopmans offers standard, complete, shaker and grain varieties to suit different batch sizes.
Jumbo’s range includes plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes.
PLUS offers a plain mix and a complete own-brand pancake mix.
Albona, an ALDI own brand, offers a 400 g multigrain pancake mix.
Lidl’s Belbake range includes a multigrain pancake mix.
These mixes suit different plans for the same coffee break: a smaller batch using a shaker, or a 400 g pack for making pancakes to serve at your dessert table. Compare the additions required and ingredients for each pack to find the right one for you.
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A shaker for a smaller coffee break, with pancakes you can finish your own way. According to the Joybuy product information, you add 350 ml of water. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack before use.
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An option to consider if you’d like a mix made with different grains for your dessert table. Compare the additions required and read the current label: the name Wholegrains alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
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A standard mix for anyone who wants to make the batter and finish the pancakes themselves for the coffee table. This pack contains 400 g of mix; check which other ingredients you’ll need, and read the label if allergens are a concern.
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A shaker for a smaller batch, with toppings of your choice. The pack contains 175 g of mix; before cooking, check the label to see which liquid to add and what the mix contains.
Choose a complete mix if you want to keep the number of separate ingredients for the batter to a minimum. The Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes we looked at require water, with butter or oil for cooking; a standard mix requires you to add more ingredients to the batter yourself. You can choose whichever toppings you like with either type.
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean a mix is gluten-free. Wheat, rye, barley and oats are among the cereals that contain gluten, so check the current label on the specific pack if you need to avoid gluten.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact mix you’re buying. The varieties we looked at contain, or may contain, cereals containing gluten, egg and milk. Also check any ingredients you add to the batter yourself.
Don’t taste the batter raw. Koopmans says its complete mix batter must be thoroughly cooked, and the Voedingscentrum gives the same advice for dishes containing raw egg as an ingredient.
