Which option is right for you?

Christmas bakers who like to vary their toppings

If you want to switch between sweet toppings and savoury fillings, and add the milk and eggs yourself, a classic mix could be a good option. Koopmans describes its Origineel mix as suitable for both.

Christmas bakers short on preparation time

If you want to use fewer separate ingredients, look for a complete mix that only needs water. A shaker bottle can also make mixing easier; check the packaging to see what else you need to add.

Bakers with an ingredient or allergen requirement

The ingredients and allergen information for the specific mix are what matter most. A gluten-free label does not automatically mean it is free from egg or milk.

What should you look for in pancake mix?

First decide whether your recipe calls for thicker pancakes, pieces cut from a cooked pancake or a different kind of snack. Then check the allergens, any ingredients you need to add and the type of flour. The name of a mix alone tells you nothing about whether the result will be easy to slice.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important for?
Intended result Compare the recipe with the preparation instructions. Should the batter spread thinly over the base of the pan? For Christmas snacks, I want to know whether I can cut up a cooked pancake or whether I actually need a different kind of bake. Around 36% of consumers put this result first.
Convenience and added ingredients Check whether you need to add water, or milk and eggs as well, and whether you need a mixing bowl. If I want to make batter quickly, I don’t want to discover halfway through cooking that I need extra ingredients. Convenience is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Allergens Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging. If I have an ingredient or allergen requirement, I want to know whether this particular version is suitable, even if it says ‘gluten-free’. This is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers.
Type of flour and fibre Check the type of flour in the ingredients list and, if you’re comparing products, the fibre per 100 g of prepared product. If you’re looking for a wholemeal version, base your choice on the ingredients rather than expecting it to make a thicker pancake. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this choice of ingredient.

Common misconceptions

  • ‘Complete’ doesn’t mean allergen-free

    A complete mix may only need water added, yet still contain wheat, milk or egg. A convenient preparation method doesn’t mean it’s suitable if you have an allergen requirement.

    First check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. Then compare how much preparation each mix needs.

  • Wholemeal doesn’t tell you how thick it will be

    Wholemeal describes the type of flour, not how thick or easy to slice the cooked pancake will be. The preparation instructions for AH’s wholemeal mix say to spread the batter thinly over the base of the pan.

    Before choosing a mix based on its flour, check what ‘firm slices’ means in your recipe.

  • Raw batter isn’t a taste test

    According to Voedingscentrum, raw batter containing flour or raw egg may contain pathogens.

    Don’t taste raw batter. Cook the pancakes all the way through before serving them.

  • An old product description isn’t the label

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you need to be able to rely on a specific version.

    Check the packaging of the product you buy, even if you’ve used the mix before or compared it online.

Brands to compare

Compare the individual pancake mixes from these brands. Classic, complete, wholemeal and gluten-free versions don’t necessarily call for the same ingredients during preparation.

Koopmans

Koopmans offers Origineel, Compleet, a shaker bottle version and a gluten-free pancake mix, among other options.

  • Koopmans says you add the milk and eggs to Origineel yourself, while Compleet is made with water.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for each version. The gluten-free label doesn’t mean it is free from egg or milk.

AH

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes plain and wholemeal mixes.

  • AH’s wholemeal mix lists wholemeal wheat flour and 2,9 g of fibre per 100 g of prepared product.
  • This wholemeal version contains wheat and gluten; check the current label before buying.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a plain mix and an organic pancake mix, among other options.

  • The product information distinguishes between the versions by their ingredients, including the types of flour in the plain mix and organic wheat flour in the organic mix.
  • The versions reviewed list ingredients containing gluten. If you have an allergen requirement, check the packaging of the mix you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers plain, complete and wholemeal mixes, among other options.

  • According to the product information, the Complete mix reviewed is prepared with 700 ml of water.
  • That Complete mix contains wheat, milk and egg. Adding only water doesn’t mean these allergens are absent.

Belbake

Lidl lists a 400 g Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel, intended to make around 12 pancakes.

  • The pack size and estimated number of pancakes can help you choose the right amount.
  • Check the packaging of this version if you have any ingredient or allergen requirements.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pancake mix to make thick, sliceable pieces for Christmas snacks?

You can’t tell from the name of a pancake mix. The preparation instructions for the mixes discussed describe batter that spreads thinly over the base of the pan. First decide whether your recipe calls for thicker pancakes, pieces of an ordinary pancake or a different kind of bake.

Which pancake mix needs the fewest extra ingredients?

A complete mix is an option if you only want to add water: Koopmans says this is the case for Compleet, and 350 ml of water is specified for its shaker bottle version. Koopmans Origineel, on the other hand, needs milk, eggs and butter or oil. Always check the instructions on the packaging of the version you choose.

Is gluten-free pancake mix also free from egg and milk?

No, you can’t assume that from the ‘gluten-free’ label. The Koopmans Glutenvrij mix discussed may contain egg and milk. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific version.

Can you taste raw pancake batter while doing your Christmas baking?

Don’t taste raw batter. Voedingscentrum warns that raw batter containing flour or raw egg may contain pathogens. Cook the pancakes all the way through before eating them.