The fibre-conscious host
You want to make pancakes for St Nicholas’ Eve and choose a mix based on the wholemeal grains and fibre listed, not just the look of the packaging.
Who is this mix for?
The home cook making pancakes for a group
You want to know in advance how many pancakes the manufacturer says one pack will make and which ingredients you’ll need to add to the batter.
A household with allergy or plant-based requirements
You want to check the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions against the needs of the guests joining you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and your guests’ needs. Then work out how many packs and additional ingredients you’ll need by checking the stated yield and preparation instructions.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Grains and fibre | Check which wholemeal flours are used. Only compare fibre per 100 g if the nutritional values are based on the same preparation method. | I want to see which grains go into the batter and how the fibre is listed; for around 42% of consumers, the ingredients are the most important factor. |
| Yield and preparation | Check the stated number of pancakes or portions and what the packaging says you need to add to the batter. | If lots of people are eating, I want to have enough batter and all the necessary ingredients at home; around 33% of consumers prioritise the quantity. |
| Allergens and plant-based options | Read the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, and check which ingredients the preparation method calls for. | I want to choose a mix and preparation method that suit my guests’ requirements; this is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘wholemeal’ at face value
According to World Cancer Research Fund, products such as pancakes don’t have to be made with entirely wholemeal flour. So the front of the pack doesn’t tell you everything about the grains used.
Read the ingredients list and check for any percentages of wholemeal flour. Only compare fibre values when it’s clear they’re based on the same preparation method.
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Assuming the mix makes a complete batter
Products vary in what you need to add yourself. This also means the ingredients in the finished pancake depend on what you choose to add.
Check the preparation instructions and add any extras you need to your shopping list before deciding how many packs to buy.
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Assuming plant-based preparation makes a mix suitable for people with allergies
A plant-based preparation option doesn’t mean the dry mix is free from wheat, gluten or other listed allergens.
Check the current pack for both what the product contains and what it may contain. Also consider the ingredients you add yourself.
Brands compared
Koopmans
Koopmans lists wholemeal oat flour, wholemeal wheat flour and buckwheat flour in its wholemeal pancake mix. The brand says the mix makes 13 to 15 pancakes.
- The stated flour types and percentages make it easy to check the grain composition.
- The mix contains oats and wheat and may contain egg, milk, rye and barley. You’ll need to add milk and eggs yourself.
Albert Heijn
AH wholemeal pancake mix comes in a 300 g pack. Albert Heijn says it makes around 10 pancakes and also gives instructions for preparing it with a plant-based drink and apple sauce or egg replacer.
- The product information includes a specific option for making the batter plant-based.
- The dry mix contains wheat and gluten and may contain eggs, barley, oats and rye. Preparing it with plant-based ingredients doesn’t change the allergen information.
Jumbo
For its 400 g wholemeal pancake mix, Jumbo lists the proportions of wholemeal wheat, oat and buckwheat flour. The product information says it makes around 14 portions.
- The percentages of each flour help you compare the grain base.
- The mix contains gluten, oats and wheat and may contain barley, egg and milk. Don’t directly compare the fibre value for the prepared product with one for the dry mix.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘wholemeal’ mean all the flour in a pancake mix is wholemeal?
No, you can’t assume that. According to World Cancer Research Fund, the term can also be used for products such as pancakes when less than all the flour is wholemeal. So check the ingredients list, any stated percentages and the fibre value on the packaging.
Are Koopmans, Jumbo and AH wholemeal mixes suitable for people with a wheat or gluten allergy?
Don’t assume they are: the product information for these mixes lists wheat and/or gluten. If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, check the current label on the specific pack, including statements about the possible presence of other allergens.
Can I make AH wholemeal pancake mix using plant-based ingredients?
Yes. Albert Heijn gives an option using a plant-based drink and apple sauce or egg replacer. The dry mix does contain wheat and gluten and may contain eggs; preparing it with plant-based ingredients doesn’t change this allergen information.
What should I do if the online product information differs from the pack?
Use the information on the current packaging to make your purchasing decision, and check the ingredients and allergen details there. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says manufacturers must clearly and legibly state the contents of prepacked foods.