For home cooks with ingredients to hand
A plain mix is a good choice if you want to make a big stack of pancakes from scratch this Christmas and already have milk, eggs and cooking fat, or plan to buy them separately.
Which approach is right for you?
For hosting Christmas guests with less preparation
A complete mix means less measuring of separate ingredients for the batter. If you don’t want to cook, you can heat up ready-made frozen pancakes instead.
For shoppers checking allergens
Ingredients vary between products, so check the label on the pack you choose every time you buy, even if you only need to add water to prepare it.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to make batter or simply heat up pancakes. If you’re making them from scratch, choose between a plain and a complete mix based on the ingredients you want to add.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients for the batter | With a plain mix, check which milk, eggs and cooking fat you need to add. | I want to cook from scratch using ingredients I already use. This is the main consideration for about 36% of shoppers. |
| Preparation | Check whether a complete mix only needs water, or whether a ready-made product just needs heating. | If time is short around Christmas breakfast, I want less work making the batter, or no cooking at all. About 29% of shoppers prioritise this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific product you’ve chosen. | I need to be able to check whether the product suits my dietary preferences. This is the main concern for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Quantity and serving | Compare the stated number of servings per pack and decide whether you want to cook everything at once or heat the pancakes individually. | For a Christmas meal, I want to match the number of pancakes to the group. This comes first for about 14% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘complete’ means free from milk or eggs
A mix that only needs water may still contain milk and eggs. For example, the product information for Jumbo Complete lists wheat, milk and eggs.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the product you’re buying.
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Treating dry mix and frozen pancakes as the same product
With a dry mix, you make the batter and cook the pancakes yourself; ready-made frozen pancakes are intended to be heated up. This difference determines how much preparation is needed when serving.
Before choosing a product, decide whether you want to cook during your Christmas get-together or simply heat something up.
Brands to consider
Albona
ALDI’s own-brand range includes a plain pancake baking mix.
- ALDI says to prepare the mix with milk and eggs.
- Check the chosen pack for the rest of the preparation information and allergen details too.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes plain, complete and wholemeal pancake mixes, among others.
- The range gives you a choice of different types of mix and preparation methods.
- Check each product to see what you need to add and what the mix contains.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes a plain pancake mix and other varieties.
- You can compare different types of mix within the range.
- Refer to the information for the specific product for preparation instructions and allergen details.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes a complete mix and a smaller complete shaker bottle, among other products.
- Jumbo says to add water to its 200 g shaker bottle.
- The ingredient information for Jumbo Complete 400 g lists wheat, milk and eggs.
Koopmans
Koopmans lists mixes for cooking from scratch separately from ready-made pancakes that just need heating.
- Koopmans says you only need to add water to the batter for its complete mix.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for each product, as they vary between varieties.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes are for making pancakes at home, whether you’re preparing a small portion or a larger Christmas meal. The selection includes varieties for batter made with added ingredients as well as a complete mix.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes 175 g
For anyone who wants to make a smaller portion from scratch using a shaker bottle. Check the pack to see how much milk to add and which allergens are listed.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
A multigrain option for anyone who wants to cook pancakes for several people. Check the additions needed, yield and allergen information on this pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For a larger stack of homemade pancakes if you can add milk, eggs and cooking fat. Check the current label for preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
A complete shaker bottle for anyone who wants to make a smaller portion and only add water to the batter. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Is a complete pancake mix free from milk and eggs?
No, the word ‘complete’ doesn’t mean that. For example, Jumbo lists wheat, milk and eggs in its 400 g complete mix. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying.
Where can I find allergen information for pancake mix?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the allergens which must be declared in prepacked foods need to be clearly identifiable on the label.
When are frozen pancakes a better choice than mix for Christmas breakfast?
Ready-made frozen pancakes are a good choice if you want to heat them up rather than make batter and cook from scratch. Koopmans describes its ready-made pancakes as suitable for keeping in the freezer and reheating in the microwave; check the instructions for the product you choose.