If wholegrain ingredients are your main priority, choose a mix explicitly labelled as wholegrain, then check the ingredients and allergen information. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Koopmans each offer a wholegrain mix with a different composition. Also compare pack size, how many pancakes it makes and what you’ll need to add to the batter.
You want to make pancakes with a grain base that’s explicitly labelled as wholegrain. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products are made from the entire grain; the ingredients list can then help you distinguish between mixes.
You want to know how many pancakes a pack makes and which extra ingredients you’ll need to add to your shopping list. Pack weight and preparation instructions are more useful here than simply choosing between a supermarket own brand and a branded product.
You need to check whether wheat, oats, other gluten-containing grains or possible traces of egg and milk are suitable for your household. Check the preparation method too: the ingredients in the dry mix aren’t the same as those in the finished pancake.
Start with the factor that matters most to your household: the wholegrain base, planning your shop, or whether the ingredients and preparation method are suitable. Then compare the remaining mixes by pack size and recipe.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base | Look for an explicit wholegrain label and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. A name such as multigrain doesn’t mean the same thing. | I mainly want to know whether wholegrain is the basis of my pancake mix. For around 46% of consumers, choosing wholegrain is the most important consideration. |
| Pack size and ingredients to add | Compare the pack weight, stated yield and any milk, eggs or other ingredients you’ll need to add. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to do the shop in one go and plan how many pancakes I can make. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and preparation | Check both the allergens present and any possible traces. Separately, make sure the preparation method suits your needs. | In my household, I first need to check whether the mix and everything added to the batter are suitable. Around 27% of consumers put this check first. |
A wholegrain label doesn’t replace checking the allergen information. Product details from Koopmans, Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and oats; other allergens may also be relevant for these mixes.
Before buying, check the latest information on both allergens present and possible traces. If you need a gluten-free mix, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.
A pack of mix isn’t the whole recipe. The standard preparation for the mixes discussed may require milk, eggs and cooking fat, among other ingredients.
Check the preparation instructions against your shopping list and see how many pancakes you can make from the pack.
Nutritional information per 100 g of prepared product also depends on what the recipe says to add to the mix. This means values for different recipes aren’t necessarily directly comparable.
Check that the information is based on the same preparation method. If you want to assess the proportion of wholegrain, look at the ingredients list separately.
An online range doesn’t guarantee that a particular mix will be on the shelf when you do your shop.
Check the range at your local store if you’re looking for a particular brand or wholegrain variety.
These products give you some specific points to compare, including ingredients and preparation. The brand name alone won’t tell you which mix is right for you.
According to Koopmans, its Pannenkoeken Volkoren mix contains 60% wholegrain oat flour, 35% wholegrain wheat flour and 3.6% buckwheat flour.
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren is a 300 g pack containing wholegrain wheat flour. Albert Heijn says it makes around 10 pancakes.
Jumbo Mix voor Pannenkoeken Volkoren, 400 g, lists 75% wholegrain wheat flour, 20% wholegrain oat flour and 4.2% wholegrain buckwheat flour.
PLUS Pannenkoekmix volkoren, 400 g, lists 75% wholegrain wheat flour and 20% wholegrain oat flour. PLUS also lists a Koopmans wholegrain mix as a separate product.
This mix is an option if you’re looking for a pancake mix made with several types of grain for your shop. If you specifically want a wholegrain base, check the ingredients on the pack: the word Wholegrains in the product name doesn’t tell you exactly what it contains.
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Worth considering if you want a mix made with different types of grain and prefer to check the ingredients yourself.
The wheat flour listed isn’t labelled as wholegrain. If a wholegrain base is your main priority, check the proportion of wholemeal flour on the pack.
Also check the allergen information and preparation instructions to see which ingredients you’ll need to add.
No, the terms don’t mean the same thing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain products as being made from the entire grain. If you want a wholegrain mix, look for an explicit wholegrain label and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients.
Some mixes can be made this way with an adapted recipe. Albert Heijn describes a recipe for its wholegrain mix using a plant-based drink and apple purée or egg replacer. Check the ingredients in the mix itself too: this AH mix contains wheat gluten.
No, wholegrain doesn’t mean gluten-free. The Koopmans, Jumbo and PLUS wholegrain mixes discussed here list gluten-containing grains. If you need a gluten-free product, check for an explicit gluten-free label and the latest allergen information for the product you want to buy.
