Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents looking for wholemeal

You’re specifically looking for a wholemeal mix for the party. For you, the term ‘multigrain’ is no substitute for checking the current label.

Parents cooking for a group

You want to work out how many packs you’ll need. The stated yield and the amount of milk and eggs required will help you plan ahead.

Parents catering for dietary requirements

You check in advance what the children can eat, and look at both the dry mix and the ingredients added during cooking.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether the mix meets your requirements for wholemeal. Then work out how much you’ll need and discuss allergies and other dietary requirements before you start cooking.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Wholemeal grain base Look for the term ‘wholemeal’ and check which grain flours are listed in the ingredients. I want to serve wholemeal pancakes, not just a mix containing different grains. For around 33% of consumers, a wholemeal base is the most important factor.
Yield per pack Compare the stated number of pancakes or portions with the number of children; these two figures aren’t necessarily the same. When a group is sitting down to eat, I want to know in advance whether I can make enough batter. Having enough pancakes is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Read the current label and also check the milk, eggs and any other ingredients you’ll be using. If children need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check this before serving. For around 20% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Preparation Check what you need to add and how much time you’ll need to prepare the batter and cook the pancakes. I want to be able to make the batter without having to source ingredients during the party. For around 20% of consumers, easy preparation matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    A mix containing several types of grain isn’t automatically wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product in the Netherlands may be labelled wholemeal when all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour.

    If you specifically want to make wholemeal pancakes, check the wording and ingredients on the pack you buy.

  • Looking only at the pack weight

    The weight doesn’t tell you how many pancakes a pack will make. Albert Heijn states that its 300 g wholemeal mix makes around 10 pancakes; Koopmans Wholemeal, in a 400 g pack, is stated to make 13–15 pancakes.

    Use the yield shown on the current pack to plan, and check which ingredients you’ll need to add.

  • Checking only the dry mix for allergens

    Standard recipes for various wholemeal mixes use milk and eggs. Warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the packaging may also be important for your guests.

    Ask about allergies and dietary requirements in advance. Read the label on the pack you buy, and take into account all the added ingredients and possible cross-contamination during cooking.

  • Letting children taste raw batter

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, raw batter can make you ill.

    Don’t let children taste the batter. Wash hands and kitchen utensils after contact with raw batter, and serve the pancakes only once they’re fully cooked.

Brands to consider

Koopmans

According to the product information, the 400 g Wholemeal Pancake Mix contains ingredients including wholemeal oat flour, wholemeal wheat flour and buckwheat flour.

  • The stated yield for this pack is around 13–15 pancakes.
  • The standard recipe requires 900 ml of milk and 4 eggs; check the allergens on the packaging.

Albert Heijn

The 300 g AH Wholemeal Pancake Mix lists wholemeal wheat flour as an ingredient.

  • The stated yield of around 10 pancakes gives you a basis for planning for a smaller group.
  • The mix contains wheat gluten; the standard recipe uses milk and eggs.

Jumbo

The 400 g Jumbo Wholemeal Pancake Mix lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.

  • Jumbo states that this pack makes around 14 portions.
  • The mix contains wheat and oats and, according to the product information, may contain barley, egg and milk.

PLUS

The 400 g PLUS Wholemeal Pancake Mix lists 75% wholemeal wheat flour and 20% wholemeal oat flour.

  • The listed ingredients help you choose a wholemeal mix.
  • The mix contains wheat and oats and may contain barley, egg and milk; check the current label.

Belbake

Lidl lists a 120 g Belbake Multigrain Pancake Mix.

  • An option to consider if you’re specifically looking for a multigrain mix.
  • Don’t assume that ‘multigrain’ means the mix has a wholemeal grain base; check the label to be sure.

Albona

ALDI lists a 400 g plain pancake mix under the Albona brand.

  • A baking mix to consider alongside options explicitly labelled wholemeal.
  • Only treat the plain mix as a wholemeal option if the current label confirms this and the ingredients support it.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘multigrain’ automatically mean ‘wholemeal’?

No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that the mix is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product in the Netherlands may be labelled wholemeal when all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour. Check the ingredients if this is a deciding factor for you.

Should I ask about allergies before a children’s party?

Yes, before you start cooking, ask whether any of the children have allergies or avoid certain foods. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends doing this for children’s parties. Then check the current label on the mix and the ingredients you’ll be adding: a wholemeal mix may contain gluten-containing grains, and the standard recipe may use milk and eggs.

Can children taste raw pancake batter?

Don’t let children taste raw batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw batter can make you ill; cook the pancakes thoroughly before serving them.

How do I work out how much mix I’ll need for the group?

Use the yield stated on the current pack as a starting point, then decide how many pancakes you want to make. Albert Heijn states that its 300 g wholemeal mix makes around 10 pancakes, while Koopmans states that its 400 g wholemeal mix makes 13–15. Also check how much milk and how many eggs you’ll need for the recipe you choose.