(A warm guide to preparation, labeling, and food awareness in the Netherlands)
Key Takeaways
- Product: PLUS American-Style Pancakes, sold in Dutch supermarkets. Pack of four pancakes made with free-range eggs (bereid met vrije-uitloopeieren, translated from Dutch).
- Heating options printed on the label: microwave 30 seconds at 800 W (watts) or oven 3–4 minutes at 180 °C (degrees Celsius).
- Nutritional data: 119 kcal per pancake (40 g) or 296 kcal per 100 g.
- Texture note: microwaving is quickest but can create a softer bite; oven, toaster, or skillet reheating gives a light crispness.
- “Free-range eggs” describe a more animal-friendly production system rather than a nutritional upgrade.
Story & Details
A Familiar Sight in Dutch Supermarkets
The PLUS brand’s American-Style Pancakes appear in a small tray (kuipje) of four, ready to warm. The front of the package shows golden pancakes topped with berries and syrup—an instant breakfast image. It highlights their use of free-range eggs, signaling an ethical touch within a convenience product.
Quick Heating Choices
- Microwave (800 W, 30 s) – the fastest, but moisture may soften texture.
- Oven (180 °C, 3–4 min) – gives even warmth and drier edges.
- Toaster or Skillet (1–2 min) – restores crisp edges efficiently.
- Air Fryer – short bursts maintain fluff without over-drying.
Ingredients and Storage
From the PLUS official page: wheat flour, water, free-range egg, vegetable oils (rapeseed, coconut), sugar, milk powders, raising agents E500/E450, acid E330, salt, preservative E202, aroma, emulsifier E322.
Keep refrigerated at max 7 °C and use before the printed date.
Simple Serving Ideas
- Butter + maple syrup for a traditional touch.
- Raspberries + blueberries + syrup (as on the pack photo).
- Greek yogurt + nuts for a protein-friendly option.
- Banana + chocolate drizzle for dessert flavor.
What “Free-Range Eggs” Really Mean
“Free-range eggs” come from hens that can walk freely indoors and go outdoors during the day, unlike caged hens. They live in barns with natural light, perches, and litter for scratching.
European Egg Codes Explained
In the European Union, every egg bears a printed number:
- 0 – Organic: outdoor access and organic feed.
- 1 – Free-Range: outdoor access, non-organic feed.
- 2 – Barn: free movement indoors but no outdoor area.
- 3 – Caged: conventional indoor cages.
Code 1, used for these pancakes, means hens roam indoors and outdoors but are not under organic certification.
International Differences
Regulations vary. EU law specifies daytime outdoor access and a density limit of nine hens per m². In the United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines “free-range” simply as providing outdoor access, without fixed duration or space requirements.
What It Does—and Doesn’t—Promise
The label shows a welfare improvement, not guaranteed nutritional superiority. Some studies note slightly higher vitamin D or omega-3 content, yet differences remain small. For most consumers, the value is ethical: choosing eggs from hens that live more naturally.
Watch a short farm walk-through: Free Range Egg Production – Farm Walk-Through (YouTube)
Conclusions
PLUS American-Style Pancakes deliver convenience and a small gesture toward better sourcing. Heat them in the microwave when time is tight or in the oven for texture. The “free-range egg” note reflects responsible farming, not a drastic nutritional shift—but it connects breakfast comfort with a conscious choice.
Sources
- PLUS – American Pancakes 160 g (ingredients, storage, nutrition). https://www.plus.nl/product/plus-american-pancakes-kuipje-160-g-197820
- Simply Recipes – “How to Reheat Pancakes”. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/how-to-reheat-pancakes-5208908
- The Kitchn – “Best Way to Reheat Pancakes”. https://www.thekitchn.com/this-is-the-absolute-best-way-to-reheat-pancakes-23107670
- Southern Living – “How to Reheat Pancakes: Oven, Microwave & More”. https://www.southernliving.com/best-way-to-reheat-pancakes-8716674
- Wikipedia – “Free-Range Eggs”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-range_eggs
- Medical News Today – “What to Know About Free-Range Eggs”. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327423
- Eater – “What’s the Difference Between Cage-Free, Free-Range and Pasture-Raised Eggs?”. https://www.eater.com/2019/7/17/20696498/whats-the-difference-cage-free-free-range-pasture-raised-eggs
- YouTube – Free Range Egg Production – Farm Walk-Through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27qQp23HtkA
Appendix
About “American-Style Pancakes”
Thicker, smaller pancakes that rise with baking agents (E500 / E450). In Dutch grocery language, “American-style” distinguishes them from thin crêpes.
About “Magnetron”
Common Dutch word for microwave oven. Heating directions usually list both wattage and duration.
About “Kuipje”
Retail Dutch for a small plastic tray used to package ready-to-heat items.
Label Additives
- E500/E450 – raising agents (sodium carbonates and diphosphates).
- E202 – potassium sorbate, a preservative in EU food law.
- E322 – lecithins, emulsifiers (typically from soy or sunflower).
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 