I tested ready-made pancakes to save you from a Shrove Tuesday disaster – supermarket winner feeds family for pennies
FRYING pans at the ready!
It’s Shrove Tuesday tomorrow and time for the mouth-watering annual flipping feast to take place.
We scoff more than 100million pancakes each year on the milestone date, which marks the last day before Lent and the 40 days leading up to Easter.
Whether you like your crepes thin and filled with chocolate, savoury with cheese or just plain with a twist of lemon, there is a treat for every taste.
And if you can’t be bothered to make your own batter or you are in need of an emergency plate filler, there are plenty of convenient, ready-made packs on sale.
Here, Laura Stott tosses up a pre-made supermarket selection and rates each out of five.
Sweet Pancakes (8) – £2.85, tesco.com
THESE French-inspired crepe-style pancakes look scrumptious with their lovely mottled batter and sweet, delicious aroma.
Pre-flipped on a hot plate for that griddled ”food truck” look, they need to be kept in the fridge until you scoff them.
But do ensure you warm them properly.
I heated them in a pan, but they can also be microwaved.
Not too thick, these tasted lovely.
As the packet says, they are sweet – so more of a brekkie treat for those who like a sugary fix.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet Pancakes (6) – £2.40, sainsburys.co.uk
SAINSBURY’S give you fewer pre-made pancakes in this packet than some other stores, making them potentially more expensive than other options.
But while you may not get as many, they are tasty.
The batter is smooth, making them even in consistency, thin and delicate in the continental style.
Heat these in the oven, microwave or a frying pan. I went for the latter, which took just a minute on each side.
Quick, tasty and perfect with fruit or a dollop of jam, or scoff them straight.
It’s just a pity there were not more to go round.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet Pancakes (6) – £2, Morrisons
ANOTHER super-quick, pre-made option which can be ready in a flash.
These only need 35 seconds in the microwave, so are ideal for a speedy snack, even if it isn’t Shrove Tuesday.
They are a little bland so need livening up with your favourite filling.
If you don’t have a sweet tooth, they are ideal paired with cream cheese or, if you are feeling posh, try some smoked salmon.
I found myself eating these more like wraps as an alternative lunch option.
Some did break during the cooking, though.
Rating: 3/5
Sweet Pancakes (8) – £2.70, Asda
THE lovely lace effect on the outside of these sweet treats makes them look incredibly appetising.
And they have a really nice texture, which is not too chewy or thick.
I liked that you get eight in a packet, so there are lots to go round, and these can be eaten warm or cold straight from the fridge – making them even more convenient in a pancake crisis.
Heated up, they were tasty, and rather on the sweet side but super- moreish.
Perfect with a twist of lemon to sharpen them up.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet Pancakes (6) – £2.75, M&S
HAILING from the pancake motherland of Holland, these are probably about as authentic a batter as you can get without mixing and tossing your own.
A little pricier, but you get lots for your money.
While there are only six flippers in the pack, they are noticeably larger and thicker than most of the other ready-made options.
A gorgeous golden colour, once heated these were perfect with savoury fillings.
I added spinach and cheddar for a not very traditional but delicious plate.
Rating: 4/5
OaYeah! Pancakes (6) – £2.40, sainsburys.co.uk
IDEAL for pancake lovers with dietary restrictions such as vegans, those avoiding dairy or anyone wanting to try something different on Shrove Tuesday.
This pre-made pack contains oat milk instead of the traditional option and is low in sugar too.
The result is a nuttier offering which tastes satisfyingly wholesome.
American-style so they are thicker and fluffier, the ingredients mean they are on the pricey side, but are perfect for anyone who can’t enjoy a regular mix.
The pancake equivalent of a slice of brown bread.
Rating: 3/5
Rowan Hill Giant Buttermilk Pancakes (4) – 99p, Lidl
THE packet says giant and, as far as American-style buttermilk pancakes go, it’s not wrong.
This style of sweet snack is traditionally more muffin-sized, but these ones from Lidl are massive – almost akin to normal frying pan flippers, making them a decent ready-made candidate for tomorrow’s festivities.
Thicker and more saccharine, these can be enjoyed breakfast-style with fruit and jam, honey or syrup.
They will fill you up, but won’t go far if you want to scoff more than one.
It is such a shame there are only four in a pack.
Rating: 3/5
Ma Raeburn’s Sweet Pancakes (8) – £2.30, Iceland
ICELAND’S bargain offering was the cheapest of all the eight-pack pre-made pancakes I tried, as well as the biggest – and there is no compromise on taste.
Almost dinner plate-sized and thick enough to be very filling, these were fluffy and substantial for a crepe-style treat.
So they are ideal as the basis for a meal or just ensuring you serve up a breakfast fit for a king.
Heat from the fridge in a pan, microwave or oven, then try adding ice cream.
Perfect for saving pennies this pancake day.
Rating: 5/5
Here's nine interesting facts about Pancake Day
The most flips anyone has ever done with a single pancake is 349 in two minutes
In France, people make a wish before flipping their pancakes, and do so while holding a coin in the other hand
On average, Brits eat two pancakes each on Shrove Tuesday… but we all know someone who eats at least THREE times more
The Guinness World Record for the most pancakes served in eight hours is 34,818
The highest pancake toss was 329cm high
On Pancake Day in Lithuania they consume pancakes and donuts
In Finland they eat green pea soup and pastry. In Iceland they eat salted meat and peas
Pancake Day races are common across Britain in towns and villages. The race is followed by a church service
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day is a moveable feast it can fall anywhere between February 3 to March 9