For an afternoon coffee with older guests, a wholemeal or multigrain mix is a good option if they like the grain and its flavour. A complete mix is more practical if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients. If anyone has specific dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens before choosing. Also compare the preparation instructions and nutritional information on the pack: ‘complete’ does not mean allergen-free.
For older people or housemates who want to consider the type of grain and nutritional information when enjoying afternoon coffee. A wholemeal mix is one option if they also enjoy its fuller grain flavour.
For anyone treating a small group and who would rather not measure out milk and eggs separately. For the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes reviewed, water is all you need to add to the batter, although you still need to cook the pancakes.
For anyone catering to familiar tastes or specific dietary needs and allergens. Check the label for each variety, even if the product name says ‘complete’ or ‘gluten-free’.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Grain type and fibre | Check which grains are listed in the ingredients. Only compare fibre figures on the same basis, for example per 100 g of prepared product. | If I want to serve a wholemeal variety, its grain flavour also needs to suit the occasion. For around 37% of consumers, choosing a wholegrain profile is the main consideration. |
| Preparation | Check which liquids, eggs and cooking equipment you’ll need, and how many pancakes the pack makes. | When I’m baking for guests without much preparation, I want to measure out as few separate ingredients as possible. For around 27% of consumers, ease of preparation is the deciding factor. |
| Taste and texture | Match the variety shown on the pack, such as wholemeal or original, to what your guests enjoy eating. | For a fussy eater, I’d rather choose a familiar variety than a different grain flavour they might not enjoy. Around 18% of consumers put familiar flavours first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, and check what you’ll be adding to the batter yourself. | If a guest has specific dietary requirements, I need to know whether both the mix and the way it’s prepared are suitable. For around 18% of consumers, this is their first priority. |
Koopmans describes its wholemeal mix as having a fuller flavour and a slight bite. Whether your guests will enjoy it is a separate question from which type of grain you want to use.
Bear your guests’ taste preferences in mind. If you’re unsure, you could cook a small amount first.
The complete mixes reviewed are made with water, but according to the product information they contain wheat, milk and egg. The batter also needs to be mixed and cooked.
Before buying, check the allergen information and preparation instructions on the specific pack.
Koopmans offers wholemeal, complete and gluten-free pancake mixes, among others. Compare the varieties individually, as the preparation methods and ingredients differ.
The AH Wholemeal mix reviewed is an own-brand option for anyone wanting to compare the ingredients and preparation of a wholemeal mix.
The PLUS product information reviewed includes both a wholemeal mix and a complete mix, with different ingredients and preparation methods.
ALBONA is an ALDI own brand that offers, among other products, a multigrain pancake baking mix.
Belbake offers an original pancake mix for anyone looking for this type of variety.
These mixes offer options for different preferences at afternoon coffee: a complete mix, a grain-based variety, a mix labelled original and a small pack with a milky flavour. Compare the preparation instructions and label for each product with what your guests need.
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A complete mix to consider if you want to measure out fewer separate ingredients for a small coffee gathering.
Pack size: 210 g. Check the label for required additions and allergens.
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A grain-based variety to compare if your choice of mix isn’t just about convenience.
Pack size: 400 g. Check the label to see which grains it contains and which ingredients you need to add to the batter.
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A variety labelled Original to consider if your guests would prefer a familiar type of pancake mix.
Pack size: 400 g. Before cooking, check the additions and allergens for this variety.
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A 100 g pack to consider if you want to use a small amount of mix and are looking for a milk flavour.
The words High-Calcium in the product name don’t, by themselves, indicate a comparable amount of calcium. Check the nutritional information, preparation instructions and allergens on the pack.
No. The choice also depends on personal taste and any individual dietary arrangements. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information, but for afternoon coffee, choose something your guests will enjoy eating too.
For the Koopmans and PLUS complete mixes reviewed, you add water to make the batter. The Albert Heijn and PLUS wholemeal mixes reviewed require milk and eggs for standard preparation. For both types, follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and cook the pancakes.
Follow the instructions on the pack and don’t eat raw batter: Koopmans states that batter made with its complete mix must be thoroughly cooked. Store the dry mix according to the instructions on the pack.
Yes. Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific mix, and remember to check what you add yourself. According to Albert Heijn, the complete mix reviewed contains wheat, milk and egg; a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you which other ingredients a product contains.
