What to buy for a pancake party

A pancake party needs more than flour, milk and a hotplate. This shopping list covers the ingredients, toppings, serving ware and cooking equipment needed to let guests make pancakes at the table. Plan separate batter for vegan and gluten-free guests, and confirm dietary requirements before shopping. The quantities below are starting points; adjust them after you have a final guest count and allow extra for popular toppings.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 45
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 45
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 30

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Whiskqty 6
Ladlesqty 8
Spatulasqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Sauce bowlsqty 10
Tongsqty 8

Equipment

Electric hotplatesqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 5
Power stripsqty 4
Hot platesqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Buntingqty 4
Balloonsqty 40
Name badgesqty 50
Table signsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Wheat flour - 8 kilograms
- Gluten-free flour - 1 kilogram
- Semi-skimmed milk - 16 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Vegan egg replacer - 500 grams
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Vanilla sugar - 10 sachets
- Baking powder - 2 cans
- Salt - 1 pack
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Bacon - 2 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 500 grams
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Apples - 3 kilograms
- Bananas - 2 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Blueberries - 1 kilogram
- Raisins - 750 gram
- Whipped cream - 3 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Powdered sugar - 1 kilogram
- Syrup - 4 bottles
- Honey - 2 jars
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Strawberry sauce - 2 bottles
- Apple syrup - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Hazelnut spread - 2 jars
- Cherry compote - 3 jars
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk for frothing - 4 liter
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan for 2–3 pancakes per guest if pancakes are the main meal, or 1–2 each for a shorter brunch. Buy 10–15% extra batter ingredients so you can cover spills, broken pancakes and second helpings.
For toppings, allow about 150–200 g of mixed fruit, sauces and other toppings per guest. Put sauces in bowls and provide tongs or serving spoons so guests do not share knives or reach across the cooking stations.
Separate vegan and gluten-free ingredients before the event and label both batters clearly. Keep their mixing bowls, ladles and spatulas separate if guests have allergies or severe intolerances.
Set up one electric hotplate or cooking station for every 4–6 guests. Check the venue’s power supply at least 7 days ahead, then pack extension cords and power strips that can safely reach each table.
Chill drinks for at least 4 hours before guests arrive, and provide roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour. Do not forget coffee cups, a coffee maker, kettles and extra glasses if coffee and tea are part of the plan.

Frequently asked questions

How much pancake batter do I need per person?: Plan on about 200–250 ml of batter per person when pancakes are the main meal. For 20 guests, that means roughly 4–5 litres, plus 10–15% extra for seconds and mistakes.
How many toppings should I buy for a pancake party?: Allow 150–200 g of mixed toppings per guest, including fruit, sauces and spreads. For 20 guests, buy about 3–4 kg in total and include at least one option for each confirmed dietary requirement.
How many hotplates do I need for a pancake party?: Use one electric hotplate or cooking station for every 4–6 guests. A party for 20 people therefore needs about 4–5 stations, subject to the venue’s available power and table layout.
When should I buy ingredients for a pancake party?: Buy dry ingredients, tableware and decorations 2–3 days beforehand. Purchase refrigerated products and fresh toppings no earlier than 24 hours before the party, then check chilled items again on the event day.

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