First decide whether you want to make thin pancakes or thicker American pancakes for Valentine’s Day. Then check whether the mix is labelled wholemeal and which ingredients you need to add. AH, Jumbo and Koopmans offer wholemeal mixes for thin pancakes, with different grain combinations. AH also describes a plant-based preparation option, but choosing a plant-based recipe or a wholemeal mix doesn’t remove the need to check the allergens on the packaging.
You want to know which grains are in the mix for a special breakfast or dinner, without assuming that multigrain means the same as wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain cereal products as products made from the entire grain.
You’re looking for a method that lets you replace milk and eggs. Albert Heijn describes one such option for the AH wholemeal mix. If it matters to your choice, also check the allergen information.
You’re choosing between thin Dutch pancakes and thicker American pancakes. For a specific mix, also check the stated yield, what you need to add and whether it’s currently available.
Decide what kind of pancake you want, then check the label for the grain content, preparation instructions and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal ingredients | Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list. Compare stated grain percentages only between the mixes concerned. | I want to see which wholemeal grains are used as the base, rather than relying on a multigrain name. Around 39% of consumers put this check first. |
| Style and yield | Check whether the mix is intended for thin pancakes or thicker American pancakes, and how many the preparation instructions say it will make. | For a Valentine’s Day breakfast, I want a stack of thicker pancakes, while for dinner I’d rather make thin pancakes. For around 23% of consumers, the style they want is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check which ingredients you need to add, as well as the latest allergen and ‘may contain’ information. | If I want to replace milk and eggs or need to take allergens into account, the packaging tells me whether a mix is suitable for my needs. Around 23% of consumers put this check first. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack weight with the amount you want to make, and check which ingredients you’ll need to provide yourself. | I want enough batter for the occasion without choosing a larger pack than I need. Around 15% of consumers give the quantity they need the most weight. |
Multigrain tells you which types of grain a mix may contain; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal means the entire grain is used. The product name alone doesn’t tell you how the ingredients are made up.
Check the full product name and ingredients list on the latest packaging before choosing a mix as wholemeal.
The wholemeal mixes described by AH, Jumbo and Koopmans contain wheat and/or oats; some product information also mentions the possible presence of eggs, milk or other grains. Using a different preparation method doesn’t change the composition of the dry mix.
Check both the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ statement on the packaging, even if you replace milk or eggs when preparing the mix.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo give nutritional values for the prepared product. Koopmans shows values for both the unprepared and prepared mix. Values per 100 g of dry mix and per 100 g of prepared pancake don’t describe the same thing.
Compare nutrition information on the same basis, and remember to take added ingredients and toppings into account when planning the finished meal.
Albert Heijn describes an AH wholemeal pancake mix in a 300 g pack, making around 10 pancakes.
For its 400 g wholemeal pancake mix, Jumbo gives a breakdown of the grain content.
Koopmans describes its wholemeal pancake mix as making 13 to 15 pancakes.
PLUS lists its own 400 g wholemeal pancake mix.
No. The wholemeal mixes described by AH, Jumbo and Koopmans contain wheat and/or oats, so they aren’t gluten-free options. Always check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging to make sure a product is suitable for you.
For its AH wholemeal pancake mix, Albert Heijn describes an option using plant-based drink and apple sauce or an egg replacer. Follow the instructions for the mix you choose, and check the allergens in both the mix and any added ingredients separately.
Compare values per 100 g on the same basis: dry mix with dry mix, or prepared product with prepared product. Also check which ingredients the preparation instructions say to add, so you know what the stated values relate to.
No, the terms don’t mean the same thing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that wholemeal refers to the entire grain, so check the ingredients list to see which grains in a multigrain mix are actually wholemeal.
