If you’re cooking for a group
You want to make enough pancakes for several people and can add milk, eggs and cooking fat. Check how many pancakes the manufacturer says each pack makes and what else you’ll need.
Who are these options for?
If you want to use fewer separate ingredients
You don’t want to have to get milk and eggs ready for the batter as well as everything else for the parade. With a complete mix, you’ll generally need to add water; check what else you’ll need for cooking, too.
If you check ingredients and allergens carefully
Only choose once you’ve read the label on the specific product. For example, a gluten-free label doesn’t automatically mean the product is free from milk or eggs.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to make the batter yourself or simply heat up pancakes. If you’re cooking from scratch, choose between a standard and a complete mix, then check the ingredients and yield for each product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for everyone | Check the pack size, stated yield and any ingredients you still need to add. | I’m cooking for several guests, so I want to know how many packs I need and whether I already have milk and eggs at home. This is a priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Fewer separate ingredients | Check whether the mix calls for water, milk or eggs, and whether you’ll need butter or oil. | Around the time of the parade, I want to be able to cook without having to get lots of ingredients ready first. Simple preparation is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. | If I have a specific dietary requirement or allergy, I need to know exactly what this version contains; the product name alone isn’t enough. This is the first thing around 15% of consumers consider. |
| Just heat them up | Make sure you’re buying a dry mix or ready-made pancakes, and read the preparation instructions. | If there’s no time to make batter and cook pancakes, I want a product that just needs heating up. This is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a complete mix is allergen-free
The complete mixes we looked at contain ingredients including wheat, milk and eggs. Milk or eggs may also be a concern in a gluten-free version.
Read the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the pack of the exact version you’re buying.
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Treating frozen pancakes like a dry mix
According to ALDI product information, ready-made frozen pancakes just need heating up. With a dry mix, you first have to make the batter and cook the pancakes.
Choose the preparation method that best suits your plans, and check the instructions for the product you select.
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Relying on an ingredients list you checked before
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you’re cooking for someone with a specific allergy.
Check the latest product information and read the label on the pack before you start.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers several varieties, including Original, Complete, Multigrain, Wholemeal and Gluten-free. The ingredients you need to add vary by version.
- According to Koopmans, a pack of Original makes 11 to 13 pancakes; you add milk and eggs to make the batter.
- According to Koopmans, Complete needs water for the batter, but its ingredients include wheat, milk and eggs.
Albert Heijn
The AH own-brand range includes plain, complete, multigrain, wholemeal and spelt varieties.
- There are different recipes to choose from within the own-brand range.
- Check what ingredients you need to add to each version and what the current label says.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range of pancake mixes includes plain, complete, wholemeal and organic varieties.
- According to the product information, you add water to make the batter for Jumbo Complete.
- Jumbo Complete contains wheat, milk and eggs; for Naturel, check the ingredients you need to add and the allergens listed on that specific pack.
PLUS
PLUS has 400 g packs of its own-brand plain and complete mixes.
- According to PLUS, you add milk and eggs to Naturel, while Complete needs water for the batter.
- For the complete version, too, check the pack for any other ingredients you’ll need and the allergens listed.
Albona
Albona is an ALDI own brand. Its range includes a 400 g plain pancake baking mix.
- The plain version is a dry mix for anyone who wants to make the batter themselves.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack of the version you choose.
Belbake
Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Belbake Original Pancake Mix.
- Lidl says this pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the pack for the ingredients you need to add and the full ingredients and allergen information.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These are dry Koopmans mixes for making pancakes yourself. Compare the pack size and preparation method with the number of people you’re cooking for. Ready-made frozen pancakes aren’t included in this selection.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix, 400 g
A dry mix for making batter yourself when cooking for several people. Check the stated yield, ingredients you need to add and allergens on this 400 g pack.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix, 400 g
For anyone who wants to make pancakes themselves and can add milk and eggs. According to Koopmans, a pack of this original mix makes 11 to 13 pancakes; check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
This 210 g complete mix is a good option if you want to cook with fewer separate ingredients. Check how many pancakes the pack makes, what you need to add and whether the ingredients are suitable for anyone with allergies.
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Koopmans Shaker Pancakes, 175 g
The 175 g shaker pack could be a good fit for a smaller batch. Before the parade, check how many pancakes one pack makes, what you need to add and what the label says about allergens.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a standard mix instead of a complete mix?
A standard mix is a good choice if you want to make the batter yourself and can add the milk and eggs it requires. If you’d rather use fewer separate ingredients for the batter, look for a complete version and check what else you’ll need for cooking.
Does ‘complete’ mean I don’t need to add anything?
No. For the complete mixes described, you add water to make the batter, and you may still need butter or oil for cooking. Follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.
What should I check if I have allergies?
Read the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically mean a mix is also free from milk or eggs.
Are frozen pancakes the same as pancake mix?
No. You turn a dry mix into batter, then cook it to make pancakes. The ready-made frozen ALDI pancakes described just need heating up, so choose according to how much cooking you want to do.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
No, don’t taste the batter raw. The product information for Koopmans Original says the batter must be thoroughly heated.