Who is each mix for?

Budget-conscious pancake maker

You want to make pancakes and are also keeping an eye on the milk, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need for your chosen mix.

Pancake maker who wants minimal preparation

You want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible. With a complete mix, what else you need besides water varies by product, so check the preparation instructions.

Cookie baker searching for pancake mix

You want to make cookies, but have ended up looking at pancake mix. First, choose a mix or recipe specifically intended for cookies.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to bake cookies or make pancakes. Only then do the extra ingredients and preparation instructions for a specific mix become relevant.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Mix type for cookies Check whether the packaging or recipe specifically mentions cookies, and follow the relevant preparation instructions. I want to bake cookies with a mix or recipe developed for that purpose, rather than simply preparing pancake batter differently. For an estimated 46% of consumers, choosing a product suited to the job comes first.
Ingredients to add for pancakes Check whether you need milk, eggs and cooking fat, and compare this with what you already have at home. When I make pancakes, I want to know in advance which ingredients I still need to buy. For around 36% of consumers, this is the deciding factor when choosing a mix.
Preparation for pancakes For a complete mix, check how much water you need and whether you also have to use cooking fat or oil. I want to make pancakes without measuring out lots of separate ingredients. For an estimated 18% of consumers, ease of preparation matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Buying pancake mix for cookies

    Koopmans’ instructions for the pancake mixes mentioned are for making pancake batter; ALDI offers cookie mixes as a separate product category. So pancake mix isn’t an obvious like-for-like choice for cookies.

    For cookies, choose a mix made for them or a cookie recipe. Only use pancake mix for cookies if you’re following a specific recipe that explains how to use it for that purpose.

  • Forgetting to add the required ingredients

    A plain pancake mix may require milk and eggs, while the instructions for complete versions can be different.

    Check the preparation instructions for the exact version before getting the other ingredients ready.

  • Relying on information for a different version

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’re using. Lidl directs customers to the packaging for information about the ingredients in its food products.

    If you have an allergy, read the current label on the exact version before use.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers several pancake mixes, including Original and Complete.

  • According to Koopmans, you add milk, eggs and butter to Original; the product information says to add water to Complete.
  • These preparation instructions are for pancakes, not cookies.

AH

AH offers a plain pancake mix.

  • The preparation information makes it clear which separate ingredients you need for this version.
  • AH Plain also requires eggs, milk and fat.

ALBONA

ALBONA is ALDI’s own brand, which offers a plain pancake mix.

  • ALDI offers baking mixes for different purposes, including cookies.
  • That doesn’t mean an ALBONA pancake mix automatically works as a cookie mix.

PLUS

PLUS offers both a plain and a complete pancake mix.

  • For the complete version, PLUS lists water and cooking butter or oil in the preparation instructions.
  • Check which instructions apply to your chosen version; the complete mix is intended for pancakes.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers pancake mixes in Plain and Complete versions.

  • The version name helps you tell the two types of product apart.
  • Check the packaging of your chosen mix to see which ingredients you need to add yourself.

Cookie mix at Joybuy

For baking cookies, this is a cookie mix, not a pancake mix. Check the packaging for any ingredients to add and the preparation instructions before use.

Koopmans Butter Cookie Mix, 400 g

Koopmans Butter Cookie Mix, 400 g

This mix is designed for baking cookies. Check the packaging to see how much butter to add, and if you have an allergy, read the current label for this version.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use pancake mix directly to make cookies?

It’s not a standard choice for cookies supported by the instructions. Koopmans’ instructions for Original and Complete describe how to make pancakes; for cookies, choose a mix or recipe specifically intended for them.

What should I add to plain pancake mix?

It depends on the exact mix: the preparation information for AH Plain lists eggs, milk and fat. Check the packaging for your version before you start.

Does ‘complete’ mean I only need water?

Not according to every set of preparation instructions: Koopmans Complete lists water as an addition, while PLUS also mentions cooking butter or oil for its complete pancake mix. So check the instructions on the packaging you choose.

Where can I check the allergens in a baking mix?

Read the current label on the exact packaging before use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about allergens on food labels; don’t rely on details for a different version when making your choice.