If you want to use an existing sourdough starter or leftover starter, make your own batter; you’ll also need other ingredients and time to prepare it. A standard dry pancake mix is a good choice if you want to add the ingredients yourself, while a complete mix that only needs water or a shaker bottle is handy when you want to keep things simple just before your get-together. Whichever option you choose, check the current packaging for any additions needed and allergen information.
You already have a starter or some leftover starter and want to use it to make your own pancake batter, even if it takes more preparation. The recipe from My Food Blog shows you how to make pancakes with starter and additional ingredients.
You want to make batter shortly before serving, using as few separate ingredients as possible. A complete mix that only needs water or a shaker bottle may fit your plans better than a recipe using sourdough starter.
You’re buying for guests with specific allergy requirements, so you check both the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. According to product information from brands including Koopmans, even a mix that only needs water may contain milk or egg ingredients.
Start by asking yourself whether you actually want to use starter. The time you have before your get-together, your guests’ dietary requirements and the quantity you need will then help you choose the most practical option.
Choose this: if you already have starter or leftover starter and want to use it for your get-together.
Consider: My Food Blog’s recipe calls for other ingredients as well as starter, and involves some time in the kitchen.
Choose this: if you want to use a mix as your base and add the required ingredients yourself.
Consider: According to Koopmans, Koopmans Origineel requires ingredients including milk and eggs. The name of a standard mix doesn’t tell you whether it uses sourdough starter.
Choose this: if you want to make batter shortly before serving, with fewer extra ingredients to add.
Consider: check each product to see whether you need to add water or milk, and which allergens are already in the mix.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Using starter | Check whether the recipe calls for starter or leftover starter, and what other ingredients you’ll need. | If I already have starter, I want to use it for this get-together, even if I have to make the batter myself. Using starter is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Check whether the mix calls for water, milk or other additions, and when you need to use the batter. | I don’t want to have to get lots of ingredients ready just before serving. Quick preparation is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current packaging for both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information, even for a complete mix that only needs water. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the mix before I buy it. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| How much you need | Compare the stated yield per pack and plan when you’ll make the batter. | If I’m serving other snacks as well as pancakes, I want to make the right amount. Around 20% of consumers put planning portions first. |
A mention of a particular grain doesn’t mean a mix is made with sourdough starter. You could end up buying a standard mix when you wanted to use your starter.
If that matters to you, check that the product or recipe specifically mentions sourdough starter, sourdough or leftover starter.
According to product information from Koopmans and PLUS, complete mixes may contain milk or egg ingredients as well as wheat.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on every pack, especially if you’re making pancakes for several guests.
The product information for the PLUS Naturel bottle and Jumbo Complete shaker bottle says that prepared batter should be used straight away.
Make the batter when you’re ready to cook, or prepare smaller batches if guests are arriving at different times.
Mixing more batter than you can cook straight away may lead to waste.
The Voedingscentrum warns about the risks of raw egg and advises against eating raw batter, particularly for pregnant women, young children, older people and those with a weakened immune system.
Don’t taste the batter raw, keep raw egg away from ready-to-eat food, and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
These brands offer standard mixes, complete mixes and shaker bottles, which vary in what you need to add and how much batter they make. Compare the specific pack rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Offers varieties including Origineel, Compleet and a smaller Complete shaker bottle.
Its own-brand range includes a Naturel mix and a Complete shaker bottle, each with different preparation instructions.
Its own-brand range includes a Naturel bottle and a Complete box mix.
ALDI lists Naturel and multigrain pancake mixes under the Albona brand.
Lidl lists a 400 g original pancake mix.
These products include shaker bottles and dry pancake mixes for your get-together. If you specifically want to make pancakes with sourdough starter, choose a recipe that lists starter or leftover starter as an ingredient.
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A shaker bottle for anyone who wants a ready-made mix in a bottle for their get-together. Check the pack to see what you need to add, how many pancakes it makes and which allergens are listed.
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This Complete shaker bottle is handy for making a small batch just before serving. Albert Heijn says to add 350 ml of water to the 210 g Koopmans shaker bottle, which makes 4 to 6 pancakes. Check the current allergen information too.
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A dry mix to compare with the smaller shaker bottles if you’re looking for a 400 g pack. Read the preparation instructions to see what you need to add, and check the label if you want to take sourdough starter or specific allergens into account.
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This standard dry mix is a good choice if you want to add the ingredients yourself for your get-together. According to Koopmans, Origineel requires milk, eggs and butter, and one pack makes 11 to 13 pancakes. Check the current packaging for allergen information before serving your guests.
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A 100 g pack to consider if you’re looking at a different dry mix for your get-together. Before buying, check the preparation instructions, yield, ingredients and allergen information on the label.
No. The grains in a standard pancake mix don’t automatically make it a sourdough mix. If you want to use starter, choose a product or recipe that specifically lists sourdough starter or leftover starter as an ingredient.
A complete mix that only needs water can cut down on the number of extra ingredients. Check each pack to see how many pancakes it makes, whether you need water or milk, and which allergens the mix contains; shaker bottles don’t all have the same preparation instructions.
Follow the instructions on the specific pack. PLUS says to use batter from its Naturel bottle straight away, and Jumbo gives the same advice for its Complete shaker bottle. If guests are arriving at different times, it’s best to mix smaller batches.
Don’t taste batter containing raw egg. The Voedingscentrum highlights the risks of raw egg, particularly for pregnant women, young children, older people and those with a weakened immune system. Cook the pancakes thoroughly and keep raw egg away from ready-to-eat food.
