Everyday pancake shoppers
Ready-made Scotch pancakes fit a breakfast, snack or dessert where a conventional pancake matters more than a sourdough label.
Who is each format for?
Sourdough-flavour seekers
Consider a sourdough crumpet if you want something to toast, or a rye-sourdough blini if you need a small savoury base. Neither has the same format as a Scotch pancake.
Shoppers checking allergens
Read the current ingredients and allergen declaration for the exact pack. The pancake and sourdough-style examples discussed here include products containing wheat or rye, while some also contain egg and milk.
What should you check?
Decide which bakery format you will use before comparing pack quantities, ingredients and preparation instructions.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Eating occasion | Distinguish ready-made Scotch pancakes from crumpets intended for toasting and miniature savoury blinis. | I want pancakes for breakfast or dessert, rather than a toasted crumpet or a canapé base. |
| Pack format | Check the item count and serving size: the listed Scotch pancakes and Waitrose sourdough crumpets come in six-packs, while M&S Cocktail Blinis contain 16 small pieces. | Will the pack provide the type and number of servings I actually plan to use? |
| Ingredients | Read the current allergen declaration. The Food Standards Agency identifies wheat and rye as cereals containing gluten; also check for egg and milk where relevant. | I need to check the exact product, not assume that a sourdough label tells me which allergens it contains. |
| Preparation and storage | Check whether the product needs toasting, pan-frying or no cooking, then follow its own storage and defrosting instructions. | Some mornings I need something ready to serve; on others, I can use a toaster or pan. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating sourdough as a direct pancake substitute
Waitrose sourdough crumpets are for toasting, while M&S rye-sourdough blinis are miniature savoury pancakes for small toppings. Those uses differ from a serving of Scotch pancakes.
Choose the eating occasion first, then select the bakery format that fits it.
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Comparing packs without checking the pieces
A six-pack of pancakes, a six-pack of crumpets and 16 cocktail blinis do not provide interchangeable servings.
Check the count, size and intended use before deciding how many packs you need.
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Reading “sourdough” as an allergen claim
Sourdough describes the product style, not the absence of wheat, rye or other allergens. The Food Standards Agency classifies wheat and rye as cereals containing gluten.
Read the current pack’s ingredients and allergen declaration, including any relevant egg or milk information.
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Assuming bakery products store alike
Freezing and defrosting instructions differ between products, which matters if you will not use the whole pack at once.
Follow the dates, freezing directions and any no-refreezing instruction on the exact pack.
Relevant brand ranges
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists a six-pack of its own-label Scotch Pancakes, a conventional ready-made pancake option.
- The listed format is a six-pack of Scotch pancakes.
- A conventional Scotch pancake does not provide the sourdough format described for the crumpets and blinis here.
Waitrose
Waitrose & Partners lists both Essential Scotch Pancakes and six sourdough crumpets, allowing a choice between pancake and toasted-crumpet formats.
- The sourdough crumpets are identified as a six-pack made for toasting.
- Crumpets are not a like-for-like Scotch pancake substitute.
M&S
M&S has conventional pancake products as well as 16 Cocktail Blinis described as miniature savoury pancakes with rye sourdough.
- The blinis offer a sourdough pancake-style format for small savoury servings.
- Cocktail blinis serve a different purpose from a plate of Scotch pancakes.
Joybuy pancake options
These options cover savoury Chinese-style pancakes, a filled Japanese pancake snack and a crisp egg-yolk snack. They are not the Scotch pancakes, sourdough crumpets or rye-sourdough blinis discussed above.
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Sanquan Spring Onion Flavour Pancake 320g
A savoury spring-onion pancake for a meal or snack, rather than a sweet Scotch pancake or a sourdough product. Check the pack’s cooking and allergen instructions.
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Sanquan Scallion Pancake with Pepper Salt Flavour 320g
A savoury scallion and pepper-salt pancake for a meal or snack. It is neither a sweet Scotch pancake nor a sourdough product; check the current pack for cooking directions and allergens.
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San Quan Original Flavour Pancake 320g
A plain Chinese-style pancake that can serve as a meal base. Its format differs from a sweet Scotch pancake, and it is not described as sourdough; follow the current pack’s preparation instructions.
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Marukyo Tsubuan Dorayaki Original Flavour, 6 Pieces, 320g
These Japanese-style pancakes have a sweet adzuki bean filling and suit a snack or dessert. They are filled rather than plain pancakes for adding toppings, and are not described as sourdough.
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Mi Lao Tou Egg Yolk Pancake Original Flavour 120g
A crisp, biscuit-like egg-yolk snack despite its pancake name. Choose it for snacking, not as a soft pancake for a meal or toppings; it is not described as sourdough.
Questions about pancakes and sourdough
Should I choose sourdough instead of Scotch pancakes?
Choose Scotch pancakes when you want conventional ready-made pancakes. Choose sourdough crumpets if a toasted item suits the meal, or rye-sourdough cocktail blinis if you need small savoury bases; the three formats are not interchangeable.
Can I serve sourdough crumpets as pancakes?
You can choose them for the same breakfast occasion, but expect a different format. Waitrose describes its sourdough crumpets as a product for toasting, not as ready-made Scotch pancakes.
Does sourdough mean a product is gluten-free?
No. Sourdough wording does not establish that a product is gluten-free. The Food Standards Agency identifies wheat and rye as cereals containing gluten, so check the exact pack’s ingredients and allergen declaration.
What should I check before freezing pancakes or crumpets?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack, including when to freeze it, how to defrost it and whether it can be refrozen. Ocado lists its Scotch Pancakes as suitable for freezing, but that does not establish the instructions for another product.
Is the retailer’s ingredient listing enough for an allergen check?
Check the current pack label as well. Ingredients and allergen information can change, and the exact product’s declaration is the relevant one when choosing between pancakes, crumpets and blinis.