Choose a wholemeal pancake mix for the barbecue based on its ingredients, the number of portions you need and how you plan to prepare the batter. The mixes from Koopmans, AH and Jumbo that we looked at contain gluten-containing grains; AH also offers a plant-based preparation option. You’ll need a suitable flat griddle or plancha for cooking, and batter containing raw egg must be cooked thoroughly, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
If you’re planning to make pancakes for several people at a barbecue, you can compare the ingredients and stated yield on each pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that wholegrain products contain more fibre than comparable white grain products; the nutritional value of the cooked pancake also depends on what you add.
If you’re cooking batter outdoors, you’ll need a suitable flat cooking surface rather than just an open grill. Weber describes cooking with a griddle over direct heat, while Jumbo recommends lowering the temperature if the pancakes start to stick or burn quickly.
If you’re preparing a plant-based version or avoiding certain allergens, you’ll need to check both the dry mix and the recipe. AH offers a plant-based preparation option, while the mixes from Koopmans, AH and Jumbo that we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. Check the current label, including any statements about the possible presence of allergens.
First, check that the ingredients and preparation method suit your household. Then compare the yield per pack and make sure your barbecue has a suitable flat cooking surface.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base | Check which types of flour the mix contains, and compare nutritional information on a like-for-like basis only, such as per 100 g of prepared product. | If I’m deliberately looking for a wholemeal alternative to a white mix, I want to know which grains I’ll actually be using. For around 36% of consumers, the grain base is their main concern when choosing. |
| Cooking on the barbecue | Check that a flat griddle or plancha will fit your barbecue and that you can adjust the heat. | I want to be able to flip the batter outdoors without it falling through the grill or burning quickly. Around 29% of consumers prioritise control over the cooking process. |
| Yield and preparation | Compare the stated number of pancakes or portions per pack, and check which ingredients you’ll need to add. | When cooking for a group, I want to plan in advance how much batter to make and what needs to be kept chilled. Around 21% of consumers say yield and preparation are their top priorities. |
| Allergens and preparation options | Read the current label, including any statements about the possible presence of allergens, and check the ingredients for the preparation option you choose. | If someone eating with us avoids certain ingredients, both the mix and the way it’s prepared need to suit them. For around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
The wholemeal mixes from Koopmans, AH and Jumbo that we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. So the term ‘wholemeal’ does not mean a mix is gluten-free.
Before buying, check the current label and any information about the possible presence of allergens if gluten or other ingredients need to be avoided.
Runny batter needs a flat, solid cooking surface. Weber uses a griddle in its barbecue recipe, while Jumbo recommends turning down the heat if pancakes start to stick or burn quickly.
Check that a flat griddle or plancha will fit your barbecue, and adjust the heat as needed while cooking.
You may need to arrange a suitable griddle or plancha separately.
If the batter contains raw egg, tasting it or using utensils that have been in contact with it can pose a food safety risk.
Don’t taste the batter raw, avoid contact between cooked food and raw egg, and cook the pancakes thoroughly, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
During a longer barbecue, milk, eggs, batter and chilled toppings can be left out of the fridge for longer than necessary.
Take out small quantities at a time and keep the rest chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends throwing food away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
The Pannenkoeken Volkoren mix we looked at is an option if you’re cooking for a larger group and want to compare the ingredients in the dry mix.
For the wholemeal mix we looked at, AH lists a 300 g pack with a yield of around 10 pancakes.
The wholemeal mix from Jumbo that we looked at is an option to compare if you’re planning to make around 14 portions.
No. Runny batter needs a flat, solid cooking surface. Weber describes cooking on a griddle over direct heat at 200 °C. Check that your griddle fits your barbecue, and adjust the heat if the pancakes are cooking too quickly.
No. Wholemeal does not mean gluten-free: the mixes from Koopmans, AH and Jumbo that we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. If you need to avoid gluten, always check the current label for the specific product.
It depends on the mix and the recipe. For the wholemeal mix we looked at, Albert Heijn gives an option using a plant-based drink and apple purée or an egg replacer. Also check the ingredients in those additions and the current label on the mix.
Don’t taste batter containing raw egg, and use clean utensils to avoid contact with cooked food. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends cooking dishes containing raw egg thoroughly.
Take perishable ingredients out of the fridge in small quantities during the barbecue, and keep the rest chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends throwing food away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
