If you want to bake tonight
You want to get pancakes on the table without a lengthy preparation. Start by looking at an all-in-one mix or a ready-to-use batter mix, and check which ingredients you’ll still need to add.
Who is each approach suited to?
If you want to bake with sourdough
You’re specifically interested in baking with a starter and can set aside the time. This is a different option from using a standard pancake mix.
If ingredients and allergens matter to you
Your choice may depend on ingredients such as wheat, milk or egg, or on finding a specific gluten-free product. Check the current ingredients list and allergen information before choosing a mix.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to start cooking straight away or use a sourdough starter. Then compare the extra ingredients required, allergens and yield shown on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started quickly | Check what you need to add to the mix: water and cooking fat, or milk and eggs as well. | If I want to bake tonight without making an extra trip to the shops, the number of additional ingredients really matters. Around 33% of consumers prioritise getting started quickly. |
| Sourdough character | Look for an explicit mention of sourdough or a starter in the product or preparation information; the types of grain alone don’t tell you anything about this. | For me, working with a starter matters more than being able to bake straight away. Around 27% of consumers share this preference. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including for an all-in-one or gluten-free mix. | I need to be able to check whether the mix meets my requirements around gluten, milk or egg, for example. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Making enough pancakes | Compare the stated yield per pack and check which additional ingredients you’ll need. | If other people are eating too, I want to know whether one pack will make enough batter. Around 20% of consumers prioritise planning portions. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a multigrain mix is a sourdough mix
The presence of buckwheat, oats or rye in an ingredients list doesn’t confirm that a mix contains sourdough or a starter. The mix you choose may therefore not suit the baking process you had in mind.
Check whether the product information or preparation instructions explicitly mention sourdough or a starter.
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Assuming ‘all-in-one’ means free from milk or egg
The all-in-one mixes described here already contain milk and egg ingredients in the dry mix. So adding only water doesn’t make a mix free from those ingredients.
Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging rather than relying only on the preparation instructions.
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Overlooking the yield and extra ingredients required
Packs with different weights or preparation methods won’t necessarily make the same number of pancakes. For example, Koopmans states that Pannenkoeken Compleet makes around 8 to 10 pancakes, while Albert Heijn gives a yield of around 12 for AH Naturel.
Compare the stated yield with the number of people you’re serving, and check that you have any additional ingredients to hand.
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Tasting uncooked batter
According to the Voedingscentrum, raw flour and raw egg in batter can contain harmful bacteria. This is particularly important if you’re serving people who are more vulnerable.
Don’t taste raw batter, clean any utensils that have come into contact with it, and cook the pancakes thoroughly.
Brands to consider
Koopmans
Koopmans offers several pancake mixes, including original, all-in-one and gluten-free varieties. Ingredients and preparation methods vary by product.
- According to Koopmans, Pannenkoeken Origineel contains wheat, buckwheat and rye flour. For Pannenkoeken Compleet, you add water.
- The original and all-in-one mixes shouldn’t be considered sourdough mixes based on their names alone. Check the allergens for each variety too.
Albert Heijn (AH-huismerk)
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken naturel is an option if you’d like to add your own ingredients to the batter.
- Albert Heijn states that this mix makes around 12 pancakes; the standard preparation requires 3 eggs and 800 ml milk.
- The product information also mentions that allergens may be present. Check the packaging if this could affect your choice.
Jumbo (Jumbo-huismerk)
Jumbo Mix voor Pannenkoeken Naturel 400 g is a standard mix containing wheat, buckwheat and wholegrain oats.
- The listed ingredients make it possible to compare this plain mix with other mixes by the types of grain it contains.
- Those grains don’t confirm that it’s sourdough. Check the current allergen information on the packaging.
PLUS (PLUS-huismerk)
PLUS offers both plain mixes and an all-in-one pancake mix, with different additional ingredients required.
- According to PLUS, the 400 g all-in-one mix requires 700 ml water and cooking fat; the plain mix requires milk and eggs, among other things.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety separately. ‘All-in-one’ doesn’t mean a product is free from milk or egg.
Belbake (Lidl)
Belbake Pannenkoekenmix origineel is a standard mix for making pancakes at home.
- Lidl states that the 400 g pack makes around 12 pancakes.
- Check the label for ingredients, allergens and any specific dietary information.
Albona (ALDI)
ALDI describes its 400 g Albona pancake baking mix as a multigrain mix.
- If you’re looking for a multigrain mix, you can compare the grains listed on the packaging with those in other products.
- ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t mean ‘sourdough’. Check the label for ingredients and allergens too.
Pancake mixes at Joybuy
These mixes are for anyone considering a standard or quick-to-prepare pancake mix for a fakeaway night. If you specifically want to bake with sourdough, check that the product explicitly mentions a starter or sourdough.
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Koopmans Pancakes Complete 210 g
For making a smaller batch of pancakes with water as the only addition. Check the preparation instructions, yield and allergens on the packaging; the name ‘Complete’ doesn’t confirm that it’s sourdough.
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Xiaoyeqingzhu pannenkoekenmix met melksmaak 100 g
An option if you want to add water and an egg during preparation. Check the full preparation instructions, yield and allergens on the packaging; a milk flavour doesn’t in itself tell you anything about the ingredients.
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Koopmans Wholegrains Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone looking for a standard mix to which they can add milk and eggs. Compare the stated yield with the number of people you’re serving, and check the grains and allergens on the packaging; ‘Wholegrains’ doesn’t confirm that it’s sourdough.
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Koopmans Original Pancake Mix 400 g
For anyone wanting to add their own milk and eggs to a standard mix. Before you start cooking, check the quantities required, yield and allergens; the variety name ‘Original’ doesn’t indicate that it’s sourdough.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multigrain pancake mix also a sourdough mix?
No. Mentioning several types of grain doesn’t confirm that a mix is sourdough. Check whether the product information or preparation instructions actually mention sourdough or a starter.
Can I make a plain mix with plant-based ingredients?
That depends on the ingredients in the specific mix, not just on what you add yourself. Albert Heijn says AH Naturel can be prepared with plant-based ingredients; also check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. The Koopmans and PLUS all-in-one mixes described here already contain milk and egg ingredients.
What should I look for in a gluten-free pancake mix?
Check that the specific mix is clearly labelled gluten-free, and read the other ingredients and allergen information too. According to Koopmans, its gluten-free pancake mix meets the AOECS standard; this doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties from the brand.
Where can I find the allergens in a pancake mix?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling of 14 allergens; an online product title is no substitute for this information.
Can I taste raw pancake batter?
It’s best not to taste raw batter. According to the Voedingscentrum, raw flour and raw egg can contain harmful bacteria, so make sure the pancakes are cooked thoroughly.