A ready-to-mix shaker bottle cuts down on measuring and washing up when you still have time to make pancakes in the morning. If you want to make several pancakes at once, a complete pancake mix in a packet is a better fit. If you don’t have time to cook, ready-made pancakes are a different option from pancake mix. With any mix, check which ingredients you need to add and what the label says about allergens.
You want to make a hot breakfast without lots of measuring or washing up. According to the relevant product information, with a complete shaker bottle or complete mix, all you need to add is water. You’ll still need to cook the pancakes, though.
You make pancakes in advance to take with you later. The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide says cooked pancakes will keep for 2 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
You pay attention to ingredients, allergens or how you want to prepare the batter. Using a plant-based alternative when preparing the mix doesn’t change the ingredients in the dry mix itself, so check the label even when choosing a wholegrain or gluten-free option.
First, decide whether you’ll have time to cook before you leave. Then choose between keeping mixing to a minimum, making enough to cook in advance, and checking the ingredients that matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Morning preparation | Check whether you only need water, or whether you’ll also need milk and eggs, and whether you make the batter in a bottle or a bowl. You’ll still need to cook any mix afterwards. | If I’ve only just got time to use the frying pan, I don’t want to spend ages measuring out ingredients or washing up a mixing bowl as well. Around 50% of consumers prioritise keeping morning preparation to a minimum. |
| Cooking in advance and quantity | Check how many pancakes the pack makes and whether you can keep cooked pancakes in the fridge for later. | If you’re making a batch to take with you the next morning, you’ll mainly need a quantity that suits your plans. Around 30% of consumers prioritise cooking in advance and portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and required additions on the pack you’ve chosen. Don’t rely on terms such as wholegrain or gluten-free alone. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to prepare the mix differently, I need to know what’s in both the mix and the ingredients I add. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
Even with a complete mix, you still need to make the batter and cook the pancakes. It’s not the right choice for a morning when you want to leave without preparing anything.
If you don’t have time to cook, look for ready-made pancakes rather than another pancake mix.
Wholegrain doesn’t mean gluten-free. And preparing a mix with plant-based ingredients doesn’t remove allergens from the dry mix.
Before buying, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’ve chosen, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Storage is part of preparing a breakfast to take with you. The Voedingscentrum says cooked pancakes will keep for 2 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Cool them quickly, seal them in suitable packaging and keep them chilled if you’re planning to take them with you later.
Koopmans offers a range of pancake mixes, including regular, complete, wholegrain and separate gluten-free options.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes several types of pancake mix, including a wholegrain option.
Jumbo offers complete and regular pancake mixes, including a complete mix in a bottle.
PLUS sells complete, regular and wholegrain pancake mixes under its own brand.
Albona is the brand of a 400 g multigrain pancake mix listed by ALDI.
These mixes suit different ways of making pancakes at home: a complete bottle for minimal mixing, or packet mixes for those who want to plan the preparation themselves. None of them is ready to take with you straight from the pack.
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For a morning when you want to do minimal measuring but still have time to cook. According to the product information, add 350 ml of water. The bottle makes around 4 to 6 pancakes.
Check the allergens on the pack before using the mix.
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For anyone looking for a milk-flavoured mix and planning to cook their own pancakes. Before buying, check the preparation instructions, required additions, serving size and allergen information on the pack.
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A packet mix to consider if you want to cook pancakes in advance and are looking for a Wholegrains option. Remember to allow time to make the batter and cook the pancakes, and check the label for required additions and allergens.
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For anyone who wants to make the batter themselves and perhaps cook the pancakes in advance. The product information lists 850 ml of milk and 2 eggs as additions; you’ll also need butter or oil for cooking. Cook the pancakes before taking them with you.
A complete shaker bottle cuts down on mixing if you still have time to cook. According to the product information, you add 350 ml of water to the Koopmans Complete shaker bottle; you’ll still need to cook the pancakes in a pan afterwards. If you don’t have time to cook, ready-made pancakes are a better option than a mix.
Yes, as long as you cool them quickly and then store them in a sealed container in the fridge. The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide says cooked pancakes will keep for 2 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
Yes, check the allergen information on the pack of the specific mix. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. Complete mixes and other types of mix can have different ingredients.
No. Don’t taste the batter uncooked for any Koopmans mix whose product information advises against it. The product information says the batter must be heated all the way through.
