Sourdough fan who can plan ahead
If sourdough is the reason you want to make pancakes, using a starter is the right approach. Jumbo’s starter recipe takes 3 to 6 days to get going, so bear that in mind before you plan to cook.
Which approach is right for you?
Solo cook looking to cut down on batter and washing-up
A shaker bottle could be ideal if you’d rather not use a separate mixing bowl. Before you mix, check how many pancakes the bottle makes: Albert Heijn says that the Koopmans Schudfles Origineel makes 4 to 6 pancakes.
Solo cook choosing by type of flour
You want to compare the ingredients in a wholemeal mix and don’t mind weighing out part of a larger pack. Also check which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself according to the preparation instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
Making your own with a sourdough starter
Choose this if: sourdough is a must and you’re happy to make or maintain a starter in advance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to plan ahead; Jumbo’s recipe takes 3 to 6 days to get a new starter ready.
Regular shaker-bottle mix
Choose this if: you want to avoid using a separate mixing bowl and sourdough isn’t essential.
Bear in mind: the yield per bottle and the instructions for using the mixed batter.
Regular dry mix in a pack
Choose this if: you want to weigh out a smaller amount of dry mix yourself.
Bear in mind: storing the leftover dry mix and measuring out the ingredients you need to add.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough | Look for an explicit mention of sourdough or sourdough starter in the product description and ingredients list. If you’re making your own, you’ll also need time to prepare the starter. | If I’m baking specifically for the sourdough, I don’t want to mistake a regular mix for one. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Yield and convenience | Compare the number of pancakes per pack and check whether the mixed batter needs to be used straight away. | For a single meal, I want to keep washing-up to a minimum, but I also want to know what to do with a larger quantity of batter. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portion control and convenience. |
| Types of flour and allergens | Check the grains, wholemeal percentage and allergen information on the current label, and see which additional ingredients are needed. | When the ingredients determine my choice, I want to know what goes into both the dry mix and the finished pancakes. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking a regular mix for a sourdough mix
A regular mix containing a raising agent isn’t automatically a sourdough mix. So even if the pack is the right size, it may still not meet your main requirement.
Check that the current product information explicitly mentions sourdough or sourdough starter. If it’s a must-have and there’s no such mention, don’t rely on the preparation instructions or the name of a grain variety alone.
-
Assuming a shaker bottle makes one portion
Albert Heijn says that the Koopmans Schudfles Origineel makes 4 to 6 pancakes. PLUS says that its bottle mix, once mixed with milk, should be used straight away.
Decide how many pancakes you want to make before mixing. If you make more than you’ll eat straight away, check the storage advice for cooked pancakes.
-
Judging by the name when it comes to flour types and added ingredients
A label such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘complete’ doesn’t tell you which ingredients you still need to add. PLUS states that its wholemeal mix contains 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour; the ingredients list for PLUS Complete includes whey powder and egg powder, among other things.
Check the dry mix’s ingredients and allergen information alongside the preparation instructions. That way, you can assess what will go into the finished pancakes.
Brands to consider
These examples will help you compare regular pack formats. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular mix contains sourdough.
Koopmans
Koopmans offers a shaker bottle and a wholemeal pancake mix, among other products. Compare the yield if you’re cooking for one.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 175 g Schudfles Origineel makes 4 to 6 pancakes, and you add 400 ml of milk.
- Koopmans says that a pack of Pannenkoeken Volkoren makes 13 to 15 pancakes, so it isn’t automatically a single portion.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells a regular pancake mix and also publishes a separate recipe for sourdough starter.
- Jumbo says that its 400 g Mix voor Pannenkoeken Naturel makes around 12 portions per pack.
- Jumbo’s starter recipe doesn’t turn its regular mix into a sourdough product. If sourdough is a must for you, check the mix itself.
PLUS
At PLUS, you can compare a bottle mix with dry mixes in packs, including a wholemeal option.
- According to PLUS, its 200 g naturel bottle mix requires 400 ml of milk.
- PLUS says that batter mixed with milk in this bottle should be used straight away. So check how many pancakes you want to make before filling the bottle.
Joybuy products for regular pancake preparation
This shaker bottle is an option if you want to make regular pancakes without using a separate mixing bowl. If sourdough is essential for you, check the current product description and ingredients list first.
No image available
Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
This shaker bottle is handy if you’re cooking for one and don’t want to use a separate mixing bowl. Before buying, check the current label for the yield and any ingredients you’ll need to add.
Contents: 210 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is a regular pancake mix also a sourdough mix?
No. A regular pancake mix isn’t automatically a sourdough mix. If this is your main buying requirement, check the current product description and ingredients list for an explicit mention of sourdough or sourdough starter.
Will a shaker bottle make exactly enough for one meal?
Not necessarily: Albert Heijn says that the Koopmans Schudfles Origineel makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check the stated yield for each bottle; PLUS says that batter mixed with milk in its naturel bottle mix should be used straight away.
Can I store leftover cooked pancakes?
Yes. The Voedingscentrum says that cooked pancakes can be kept in the fridge for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Check the storage advice if you make more than you’ll eat straight away.
How should I store an opened pack of dry pancake mix?
Store the dry mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also check the instructions on the pack before using the rest later.
Where can I check allergens and which ingredients I need to add?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the dry mix, as well as the preparation instructions. A complete mix may already contain ingredients such as milk and egg powder, while other mixes need extra ingredients to make the batter.