Making breakfast for a crowd
You want to make a stack of pancakes. Check the pack size, the stated yield and what else you’ll need for the batter.
Who are these options for?
Sunday morning cooks short on time
You want to prepare fewer ingredients or do less washing-up. A complete mix, shaker bottle and ready-made pancakes each require a different step before you can eat.
Label-conscious shoppers
You want to know which grains and allergens are listed in the exact product you’re buying. Check the packaging, even if you already know another product from the same brand.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to make batter or simply heat up pancakes. Then compare the yield and any ingredients you need to add within your chosen product type.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Making a big stack | Check the pack size, the stated yield and which ingredients you need to add. | If I’m cooking for several people, I want to know how many pancakes one pack makes and what else I need to have at home. Around 42% of consumers put this need first. |
| Minimal preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk or other ingredients, and whether you’ll be making batter or just heating the pancakes. | On a busy Sunday morning, I want to prepare as little as possible and keep washing-up to a minimum. Convenience is the top consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I need to be able to check the product before using it. Around 25% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Common mistakes
-
Forgetting what you need to add to a dry mix
A standard mix isn’t the same as ready-made batter. For example, PLUS lists milk, eggs and butter or oil as ingredients needed for its plain mix.
Read the preparation instructions before you shop, even if you’re choosing between two dry mixes.
-
Choosing a shaker bottle to make a big stack
A shaker bottle can mean less equipment to mix the batter in, but the Koopmans shaker bottle described by PLUS makes around 4 to 6 pancakes.
Check the yield per bottle and make sure it’s enough for the number of people you’re feeding.
-
Treating ready-made pancakes like a standard mix
Ready-made and frozen pancakes are already cooked. They need different preparation and have their own storage instructions.
Consider them as a separate convenience option and check the portion, ingredient and storage information.
-
Relying on the brand name to check for allergens
Ingredients and warnings about possible traces vary between products. A familiar brand name won’t tell you what’s listed on this particular pack.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product every time you buy it.
Brands to consider
ALBONA
ALDI’s own-brand range includes a 400 g plain pancake baking mix.
- A dry mix for anyone who wants to make their own batter.
- Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which allergens are listed.
PLUS
The PLUS own-brand range includes plain, wholemeal and complete pancake mixes.
- For its plain mix, PLUS lists the ingredients you need to add: milk, eggs and butter or oil.
- PLUS lists wheat and oats for this product; barley, egg and milk may also be present. Check the label on your pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a dry plain mix as well as ready-made pancakes, a different type of product.
- Jumbo states that its 400 g plain mix makes around 12 portions.
- Don’t assess the mix as though it had the same uses or storage instructions as ready-made pancakes.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes plain, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and spelt mixes.
- You can compare different types of mix within the same range.
- Check the preparation instructions and ingredients for the product you choose; the product names alone don’t make the differences clear.
Belbake
Lidl lists a Belbake Original Pancake Mix that makes around 12 pancakes.
- The stated yield helps you work out how many packs to buy.
- Lidl describes this product as available in-store only. Check the packaging there for ingredients and preparation instructions.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers standard and complete mixes, shaker bottles and ready-made frozen pancakes.
- Koopmans says its Origineel mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes. For Compleet, the brand states a yield of 8 to 10 pancakes when made with water.
- Origineel also requires milk, eggs and cooking fat. A shaker bottle or frozen product is a different choice in terms of preparation and portions.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes are for anyone who wants to make their own batter for Sunday breakfast. Compare the pack size and preparation method with the number of people you’re feeding. If you just want to heat up pancakes, ready-made ones are a different type of product.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
A multigrain mix for anyone who wants to make their own batter. Check the pack to see which ingredients you need to add and which grains and allergens are listed.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
For anyone making a bigger stack from scratch: Koopmans says Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes. You’ll also need milk, eggs and cooking fat. Read the pack for the preparation instructions and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
A complete mix for anyone who wants to prepare fewer separate ingredients. Check the preparation instructions, and if you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before choosing this product.
Image unavailable
Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
A shaker bottle for making batter without a separate mixing bowl. According to PLUS’s product information, you add 400 ml of milk and the bottle makes around 4 to 6 pancakes. Check whether that’s enough for breakfast.
Image unavailable
Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
A 100 g pack for making your own batter. Before buying, check the preparation instructions, the yield per pack and the ingredients label to decide whether this product is right for your breakfast.
Frequently asked questions
Is a frozen pancake the same as pancake mix?
No. A frozen pancake is already cooked and just needs heating; with a mix, you make the batter and cook the pancakes yourself. For ready-made pancakes, also check the portions and storage instructions.
What do I need to add to a standard pancake mix?
It depends on the product. PLUS says its plain mix requires 800 ml of semi-skimmed milk, 3 eggs and butter or oil. Complete mixes and shaker bottles have different instructions, so always read the pack you’re going to use.
How do I check for allergens in pancake mix?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack before choosing a product. PLUS lists wheat and oats in its plain mix, with possible traces of barley, egg and milk. Don’t assume another mix from the same brand has the same ingredients.
How should I store dry mix and ready-made pancakes?
Follow the storage instructions for each product. PLUS says to store its dry plain mix in a cool, dry place. According to Jumbo’s product listing, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Origineel Vriesvers must not be refrozen after thawing.