Breakfast lovers looking to make it special
You’re after a breakfast you can dress up with fruit, syrup or other toppings. Fluffy American pancakes and a sweeter dessert-style mix offer a different base from classic Dutch pancakes.
Which option is right for you?
Home cooks short on time in the morning
You want to measure out fewer ingredients or do less mixing. Compare a complete mix with a shaker bottle, but also check how many pancakes you want to make and what else you need to add.
Shoppers comparing ingredients
You pay attention to the grains used, nutritional information or organic claims. If you have allergies, the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging matter more than the mix’s style or name.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a particular pancake style, a quick preparation or specific ingredients. Then check what you need and how much the pack makes: a complete mix and a shaker bottle don’t necessarily solve the same morning problem.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Pancake style | Choose between small, fluffy American pancakes, a sweeter dessert-style mix and a classic base you can dress up yourself. | If I want to serve fruit and syrup with a stack of fluffy pancakes, the mix’s style will determine my choice. That special-occasion result is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check which liquid, eggs and cooking fat you’ll need; also compare how many pancakes each pack makes. | I don’t want to find out on a weekday that I still need to buy eggs or milk. Convenience is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Compare the types of grain and nutritional information. If you have allergies, check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the current packaging. | If I need to consider ingredients or allergens, I can’t rely on ‘buckwheat’ or ‘organic’ alone. This check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the amount of mix and the stated yield with the number of people you’re cooking for. | If I’m making pancakes for more people, I want to know in advance whether one pack will be enough. For a small breakfast, I don’t want to make more than I need. Getting the quantity right matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘complete’ means ‘ready to eat’
The product information for Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes lists water as an addition, but you’ll still need butter or oil for cooking. Other mixes also call for milk or eggs.
Check the preparation instructions before you do your shopping. A shaker bottle doesn’t automatically mean you only need to add water, either.
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Confusing buckwheat or organic claims with an allergen guarantee
According to Jumbo, Smaakt’s buckwheat mix may contain nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya. A grain name or organic claim alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable if you have an allergy.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen warnings on the packaging. Check any specific dietary claim separately if it’s essential to your choice.
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Judging only by the toppings
A sweet mix already contains ingredients that contribute to the overall nutritional make-up of your breakfast. Albert Heijn lists sugar and glucose syrup among the ingredients in Atelier Roger, for example.
Compare the mix’s nutritional information, preferably per 100 g, then decide which toppings and portion size you want.
Brands to consider
These brands illustrate different types of pancake mix. Always assess the specific product packaging, not just the brand name.
Atelier Roger
A dessert-style pancake mix for anyone looking for a deliberately sweeter base.
- Albert Heijn lists sugar, glucose syrup and flavouring among the ingredients in this mix.
- The product information lists wheat and milk. Check the nutritional information too if the sugar content affects your choice.
Dr. Oetker
The American pancake mix is made for small pancakes you can stack and dress up.
- Jumbo states that one pack makes 13–15 pancakes and takes around 20 minutes to prepare.
- You’ll need milk, eggs and oil to prepare it. Check the allergen information too.
Koopmans
The range includes a classic mix, a complete mix and shaker bottles to suit different morning routines.
- PLUS states that a pack of Koopmans Original makes 11–13 pancakes. For Koopmans Compleet, Albert Heijn lists water as an addition to the mix.
- The ingredients you need and the allergens vary by product. Check the packaging of the one you choose.
Smaakt
Smaakt Bio Boekweit is an option if you’re specifically looking for an organic buckwheat base.
- Jumbo lists 90% organic buckwheat flour and tapioca flour as ingredients.
- The product information warns that it may contain nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya.
PLUS
The own-brand range includes a plain mix, a complete mix and a bottle version.
- The different pack formats let you choose how you want to prepare the batter.
- According to PLUS, the complete mix requires water and cooking fat. Check the preparation instructions again for other varieties.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes are designed for quick preparation or provide a base you can dress up with your own toppings. For the Koopmans varieties, compare which liquid and other ingredients you need to add. For the milk-flavoured mix, check the nutritional information too.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix for making pancakes on a busy morning, with the freedom to choose your own toppings.
Check the preparation instructions to see how much water you need and whether you’ll also need cooking fat. If you have allergies, read the current label, including the information on wheat, milk and egg.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker bottle for anyone who wants to mix the batter in the pack, then choose their own toppings.
You’ll need milk to prepare it. If you have allergies, check the current information on egg and gluten-containing grains, including wheat and rye.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A mix made with several types of grain, offering a base for pancakes you can dress up yourself.
Have milk, eggs and butter or oil ready for preparation. If you have allergies, check the current label for the grains used and the possible presence of milk and egg.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
A classic pancake mix for when you’d rather decide how to make breakfast special with your own toppings.
You’ll need milk, eggs and butter or oil to prepare it. If you have allergies, check the current label, including for the possible presence of milk and egg.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A milk-flavoured mix for anyone looking to make a sweet breakfast and choose their own toppings.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g if sugar or calcium content matters to your choice. Check the preparation instructions to see what else you need to add, and if you have allergies, read the current label for wheat information.
Frequently asked questions
Which mix should I choose for pancakes with fruit and syrup?
An American pancake mix is a good fit if you want to stack small, fluffy pancakes. If you’d rather make thin Dutch pancakes, choose a classic mix and add your own fruit or syrup.
Do I only need water for a complete pancake mix?
Not for the whole preparation process: the product information for Koopmans Compleet and PLUS Compleet says to add water to the mix, but you’ll also need butter or oil for cooking. Read the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen before you start.
Is a pancake mix containing buckwheat automatically gluten-free?
No. The word ‘buckwheat’ in the name doesn’t confirm that the finished product is gluten-free. Check the full ingredients list, any warnings about the possible presence of allergens and an explicit gluten-free statement if you need one to make your choice.
Should I still read the label after ordering online?
Yes. If you have allergies, check the packaging of the product you receive. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. The current packaging gives you the information for that specific product.
Can I taste the batter made with a Koopmans mix before cooking?
No, don’t taste the batter raw. The product information for the Koopmans mixes reviewed states that the batter must be thoroughly cooked.