For a student dinner, start by choosing a wholemeal pancake mix whose milk, eggs and any other additions fit your cooking plans. To compare fibre content, check the nutritional information per 100 g of prepared product. If you have allergies, also check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces.
You want to be able to see which grains are wholegrain in the ingredients list. Also compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone.
You want to know what you’ll need in addition to the mix. The preparation instructions for the wholemeal mixes mentioned call for milk and eggs, so check what you already have at home before choosing a pack.
You want to find out which allergens are in the mix or may be present, and whether the stated preparation method works with the ingredients you want to use. The term ‘wholemeal’ alone doesn’t tell you this.
For a student dinner, check both the mix and its preparation instructions: wholemeal ingredients, nutritional values and additional ingredients each answer a different question.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Additional ingredients | Check which ingredients you need to add yourself and the quantities required by the instructions. | If I want to keep extra shopping to a minimum, it matters whether I already have the ingredients for the batter; around 42% of consumers put what they need for dinner first. |
| Wholegrain cereals and fibre | Check which wholemeal flours are listed and compare fibre per 100 g of prepared product. | I want to be able to identify which grains are wholegrain and compare the fibre in the prepared pancakes; for around 33% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Allergens and preparation | Check the allergen information, warnings about traces and any instructions for a plant-based version. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to cook plant-based, I need to be able to use the mix with a suitable preparation method; for around 25% of consumers, this suitability comes first. |
The standard preparation instructions for the wholemeal mixes mentioned also call for milk and eggs. Other requirements vary by recipe.
Before choosing, read the full recipe on the pack and check which ingredients you already have at home. If you want to substitute anything, check whether the pack gives instructions for doing so.
The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which flours are wholemeal. For example, Albona is described as a multigrain mix, but that name alone doesn’t specify the wholemeal content.
If wholemeal is a must for you, read the ingredients list and check which grains are explicitly identified as wholegrain.
The wholemeal mixes mentioned contain wheat and/or oats. So the term ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean a mix is suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
Check whether a product is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and also read the ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if your choice depends on a specific formulation.
Check the latest product information and read the label on the pack before use.
These product ranges show you what information to compare on a label; the brand name alone doesn’t determine whether a mix is right for your dinner.
AH Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren comes in a 300 g pack, with wholemeal wheat flour as its main ingredient.
Jumbo Mix voor Pannenkoeken Volkoren comes in a 400 g pack.
PLUS Pannenkoekmix volkoren comes in a 400 g pack.
Koopmans Mix voor pannenkoeken volkoren comes in a 400 g pack and contains oat and wheat flour.
ALDI sells Albona as a 400 g multigrain pancake mix.
No. The wholemeal mixes from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Koopmans discussed here contain wheat and/or oats. If you need to avoid gluten, check whether a mix is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the rest of the allergen information.
Some mixes include a plant-based preparation option. For its wholemeal mix, Albert Heijn suggests using a plant-based drink with apple purée or an egg replacer; the standard instructions use milk and eggs. Check the instructions on the pack of the mix you choose.
It depends on the preparation instructions for the mix you choose. The standard methods mentioned use milk and eggs, and you may need butter or oil for frying. Check the quantities on the pack and see what you already have at home.
Read the ingredients list and check for any statement that allergens may be present. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, legally required allergens must be clearly identified on the label; for these mixes, pay particular attention to the information about wheat, oats, egg and milk.
