If you’re after noticeably thicker pancakes, choose an American pancake mix if you want to make them yourself, or ready-made thick pancakes if warming them up better suits your morning. Traditional pancake mix is designed to make a thin batter that spreads across the base of the pan; also check each product to see which ingredients you need to add and what the label says.
If you’re after a smaller, thicker pancake rather than a large, thin one, look for American pancake mix or a ready-made product described as thick pancakes. For example, Lidl describes its Pancakes natural as thick.
Want to make pancakes from scratch on a weekday without measuring out lots of ingredients? Compare what you need to add to the mix. Albert Heijn says that you only need to add water to the Koopmans Compleet version, while the classic Koopmans Origineel mix requires milk and eggs.
If fibre, ingredients or allergens matter to your choice, compare the nutritional information and ingredients list for the specific products. Also check the preparation instructions: a wholemeal mix won’t automatically give you the thick shape of an American pancake.
First decide whether the thick pancake shape matters more to you than a classic, thin pancake. Then choose between making them yourself and warming them up. Once you’ve decided, compare the extra ingredients needed, portion sizes and labels.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Thick pancake shape | Look for an explicit mention of American pancakes or thick pancakes; also check the preparation instructions. | I want a compact, thick pancake rather than the thin result you get from a traditional mix. For around 31% of consumers, that shape comes first. |
| Minimal preparation | Check whether you need to add water, milk or eggs, or whether the product only needs warming up. | On a weekday, I want as few steps as possible before breakfast is ready. Preparation time is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers too. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare nutritional values on the same basis and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | If I’m keeping an eye on fibre or specific ingredients, I want to know what’s in the product before I buy it. For around 23% of consumers, checking the label matters most. |
| Yield per pack | Check whether the stated yield refers to pancakes or portions, and which additional ingredients you’ll need. | I want to work out whether one pack will be enough for the breakfasts I have planned. The number of portions is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
According to the preparation instructions, batter made with traditional pancake mix spreads thinly across the base of the pan. That doesn’t mean the mix will give you the thick pancake shape you’re after.
Look for an explicit description such as American pancakes or thick pancakes, and read the preparation instructions before buying.
The stated number tells you little about the shape or size of the pancakes. What you need to add also varies from one mix to another.
Check the stated number of portions alongside the preparation instructions and the ingredients you’ll need.
With a dry mix, you make and cook the batter yourself; ready-made pancakes are warmed up according to the pack instructions. This choice determines how much work breakfast takes.
First decide whether you want to cook or warm them up, then compare products within the type you’ve chosen.
Ingredients and statements such as ‘may contain’ can vary between mixes. An earlier product description is no substitute for the label on the pack you’re buying.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information every time you buy, especially if you need to avoid particular ingredients.
Koopmans has several pancake mixes, including Origineel and Compleet. The difference in preparation is particularly relevant if you want to make pancakes yourself on a weekday.
The American Pancakes Origineel mix is worth considering if you want to make thicker pancakes yourself.
Among its own-brand mixes, you can compare a wholemeal version with other mixes if nutritional information is important to your choice.
Jumbo offers traditional pancake mixes and also lists American pancake mix. Compare the product types before choosing a version.
Albona is ALDI’s own brand, which lists a 400 g multigrain baking mix for pancakes.
Lidl lists Belbake mixes in Original and multigrain versions.
No. With the traditional mixes reviewed, the instructions say the batter spreads thinly across the base of the pan. For the shape you’re after, look for an American pancake mix or a ready-made product explicitly described as thick pancakes.
Ready-made pancakes don’t require you to prepare batter, but they do need to be warmed up according to the pack instructions. If you want to make them yourself, a complete mix can reduce the need to measure ingredients: according to Albert Heijn, you only need to add water to the Koopmans Compleet version reviewed.
Compare values on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product, and read the ingredients list too. Albert Heijn states that its prepared wholemeal mix contains 2,9 g of fibre per 100 g; only compare this value with an alternative measured on the same basis.
Check the current label every time you buy, including the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements. Don’t rely on the name of a mix or an older online product description.
No. Prepare the batter according to the cooking instructions on the pack. The product information for the Koopmans mixes reviewed states that the batter isn’t intended to be eaten raw.
