Sourdough bakers with time to prepare
You already have a starter or want to spend time making one. For you, the baking project itself matters more than the speed of a ready-made mix.
Which approach is right for you?
Makers of regular Advent treats
You want to bake on different days without measuring out lots of ingredients each time. A complete mix or shaker bottle is worth comparing, as long as the quantity suits your plans.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients carefully
Gluten, milk, egg or possible traces may matter to the person eating the treat. So check the label on the specific mix rather than relying on the type of pancake alone.
What should you look for?
First decide between preparing sourdough yourself and using a ready-made mix. Then compare the preparation, quantity and ingredients that matter to the people eating them.
Homemade sourdough
Choose this if: you already have a starter or want to make the preparation a baking project in its own right.
Bear in mind: Jumbo and Smulweb’s instructions say it takes 3 to 6 days to build a starter, so it’s not a last-minute option if you’re starting from scratch.
Classic dry mix
Choose this if: you’re planning a bigger baking session and want to add the milk, eggs and cooking fat yourself.
Bear in mind: Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. Think ahead about what you’ll do with any leftovers.
Complete mix or shaker bottle
Choose this if: you want to bake with fewer separate ingredients and the pack size suits your baking session.
Bear in mind: the fact that you only need to add water doesn’t tell you whether the mix contains milk or egg; check the ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough and preparation | Decide whether you already have a starter; if you’re buying a mix, check whether sourdough is actually listed as an ingredient. | If you want to make the preparation itself part of the baking project, you can set aside time for it. An estimated 33% of consumers prioritise the sourdough aspect. |
| Convenience when baking | Compare what you need to add yourself and whether the method suits a quick baking session. | If I’m making treats on several days, I don’t want to measure out separate ingredients every time. For around 27% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Portions and storage | Compare the stated yield with your plans and decide whether you can store or freeze any cooked pancakes. | When I’m making just a few treats at a time, I want to avoid having too much left over. An estimated 27% of consumers put getting the right quantity first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for gluten-containing cereals, milk, egg and possible traces; don’t rely on words such as sourdough or complete. | If someone eating with me needs to avoid certain ingredients, I check each pack individually. An estimated 13% of consumers give this check top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘complete’ means allergen-free
A mix that only needs water added may already contain milk or egg ingredients. The Koopmans complete pancake mix described by Albert Heijn contains wheat, whey powder and whole egg powder, among other ingredients.
Before buying, read both the ingredients list and the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
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Assuming sourdough is gluten-free
Sourdough doesn’t mean gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association lists wheat, spelt, rye and barley among the cereals that naturally contain gluten.
If you need to eat gluten-free, choose a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current label.
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Baking all your Advent treats well in advance
According to the Voedingscentrum, cooked pancakes keep for 2 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. Leftovers should be cooled quickly and must not be left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.
Plan baking sessions every few days or freeze portions in well-sealed containers.
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Choosing a pack without checking how much it makes
Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack. That may be more than you need for a few little treats at a time.
Compare the stated yield with the number of treats you’re planning, and decide in advance whether you want to freeze any leftovers.
Brands and retailers to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers both a classic dry pancake mix and a complete version which, according to the product information, only requires water.
- Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Origineel makes 11 to 13 pancakes per pack; you add milk and eggs, among other ingredients, when preparing it.
- The complete mix described by Albert Heijn contains wheat, milk and egg ingredients. Check the label on both versions if those ingredients matter to you.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes different types of pancake mix, including plain, multigrain and wholemeal.
- The range makes it easier to compare mixes by type and pack size.
- A category description doesn’t tell you which ingredients an individual mix contains; check the current product information for that.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other options, organic and complete pancake mixes, as well as mixes explicitly labelled gluten-free.
- According to Jumbo, its 200 g complete mix needs water, while its 400 g organic mix needs milk and eggs.
- A complete preparation method doesn’t mean the ingredients are suitable for everyone. Check the allergen information on the specific pack too.
PLUS
PLUS offers a plain mix and a complete pancake mix, each with a different preparation method.
- According to PLUS, its Naturel mix needs milk and eggs, while you add water to PLUS Compleet.
- PLUS lists wheat, milk and egg in the complete version; read the label if you need to take these ingredients into account.
Pancake mixes on Joybuy
These mixes are options if you’d rather make little Advent treats with a ready-made pancake mix than build a sourdough starter yourself. Compare the preparation method, yield and ingredients for each pack before choosing.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete, 210 g
This size is worth comparing with the number of treats you’re planning to make in a smaller baking session.
Pack size: 210 g. Check the preparation method and current label for wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu milk-flavoured pancake mix, 100 g
This size may suit a small baking session; check the pack to see how many pancakes it makes.
Pack size: 100 g. Check the preparation method to see what you need to add, and read the label if you need to avoid gluten.
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Koopmans Wholegrains pancake mix, 400 g
Consider this mix if you’re planning a bigger baking session; match the yield to the number of treats you need.
Pack size: 400 g. Check which ingredients you need to add during preparation, and read the current label if you have an allergy.
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Koopmans Original pancake mix, 400 g
If you’re planning a bigger baking session, you can compare this classic mix with smaller packs.
Pack size: 400 g. Bear in mind the ingredients you need to add yourself according to the preparation method, and plan how to store any leftovers.
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g'woon complete pancake mix, 200 g
Compare this pack with your plans for a small baking session, but check the yield and preparation method on the pack first.
Pack size: 200 g. The available ingredients information lists wheat, milk and egg ingredients, but the allergen information conflicts with this. If you have an allergy, don’t rely on that information without checking the current label.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose sourdough instead of pancake mix for Advent treats?
Choose homemade sourdough if you already have a starter or want to spend time building one. Jumbo and Smulweb’s starter instructions say this takes 3 to 6 days. If you want to bake regularly without that preparation, try a ready-made mix instead.
How long can I keep cooked pancakes for Advent treats?
According to the Voedingscentrum, cooked pancakes keep for 2 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. Cool leftovers quickly, store them in a well-sealed container and don’t leave them out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.
Are sourdough pancakes automatically gluten-free?
No. Sourdough on its own doesn’t mean a pancake is gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association lists wheat, spelt, rye and barley among the cereals that contain gluten; if you need to eat gluten-free, choose a mix explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current label.