I tested ready-made pancakes to save you from a Shrove Tuesday disaster
FLOW pans ready!
Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday and time for the delicious annual flipping feast.
We spot more than 100 million pancakes every year on the milestone date, which marks the last day before Lent and the 40 days leading up to Easter.
Whether you like it thin and filled with chocolate, savory with cheese or just plain with a hint of lemon, there is something delicious for every taste.
And if you don't feel like making your own batter or need an emergency plate filler, there are plenty of handy, ready-made kits available for purchase.
Here, Laura Stott lists out a ready-made range from the supermarket and rates each out of five.
read more on Shrove Tuesday
Sweet Crepes (8) – £2.85, tesco.com
9
THESE French-inspired crepe-style pancakes look delicious with their beautiful flecked batter and sweet, delicious scent.
They come pre-placed on a hot plate for a whimsical “food truck” look and should be refrigerated until you mock them up.
But make sure you warm them up thoroughly.
I heated them in a pan, but they can also be microwaved.
Not too thick, these tasted delicious.
As the packaging says, they are sweet – so more of a breakfast treat for those who like a sugary fix.
Rating: 4/5
9
SAINSBURY'S gives you fewer ready-made pancakes in this pack than some other stores, making them potentially more expensive than other options.
But while you may not get that many, they are tasty.
The batter is smooth, making them even in consistency, thin and delicate in continental style.
Heat this in the oven, microwave or a frying pan. I went for the latter, which only took a minute on each side.
Quick, tasty and perfect with fruit or a dollop of jam, or just plain.
It's just a shame there weren't more of them around.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet Pancakes (6) – £2, Morrisons
9
ANOTHER super-fast, ready-to-use option that can be ready in no time.
These only need 35 seconds in the microwave so are ideal for a quick snack, even if it's not Shrove Tuesday.
They are a bit bland, so you need to liven them up with your favorite filling.
If you don't have a sweet tooth, they are ideal paired with cream cheese or, if you're feeling fancy, try some smoked salmon.
I found myself eating these more like wraps as an alternative lunch option.
However, some broke during cooking.
Rating: 3/5
Sweet Crepes (8) – £2.70, Asda
9
THE beautiful lace effect on the outside of these sweet treats makes them look incredibly tasty.
And they have a very nice texture, which is not too chewy or thick.
I liked that you got eight in a pack, so there are plenty to use, and these can be eaten hot or cold straight from the fridge – making them even more handy in a pancake crisis.
They were tasty warmed up, and a bit on the sweet side, but super tasty.
Ideal with a hint of lemon to make them even sharper.
Rating: 4/5
Sweet Pancakes (6) – £2.75, M&S
9
Hailing from the pancake motherland of the Netherlands, this is probably about the most authentic batter you can get without mixing and tossing it yourself.
Slightly more expensive, but you get a lot for your money.
Although there are only six flippers in the package, they are noticeably larger and thicker than most other ready-made options.
A beautiful golden color, once heated these were perfect with savory fillings.
I added spinach and cheddar for a not very traditional but delicious plate.
Rating: 4/5
9
IDEAL for pancake lovers with dietary restrictions, such as vegans, those avoiding dairy or anyone who wants to try something different on Shrove Tuesday.
This ready-made package contains oat milk instead of the traditional option and is also low in sugar.
The result is a nuttier offering that tastes satisfyingly healthy.
American style, so thicker and fluffier, the ingredients make them on the pricey side, but they 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
9
The package says “gigantic,” and as far as American-style buttermilk pancakes go, that's not a bad thing.
This type of sweet snack is traditionally the size of a muffin, but these from Lidl are huge – almost comparable to normal frying pans, making them a good ready-made candidate for tomorrow's festivities.
These are thicker and more saccharine and can be enjoyed for breakfast with fruit and jam, honey or syrup.
They will fill you up, but won't go far if you want to mock more than one.
It's such a shame that there are only four in a pack.
Rating: 3/5
Ma Raeburn's Sweet Pancakes (8) – £2.30, Iceland
9
ICELAND's Bargain was the cheapest of all the eight-pack ready-made pancakes I tried, and also the largest – and there's no compromise on taste.
These were almost the size of a plate and thick enough to be very filling, they were fluffy and chewy for a crepe style treat.
They are therefore ideal as a basis for a meal or simply ensure that you put a breakfast fit for a king on the table.
Heat from the refrigerator in a pan, microwave or oven and then try adding ice.
Ideal to save money on this pancake day.
Rating: 5/5
Here are nine interesting facts about Pancake Day
The number of flips anyone has ever done with one pancake is 349 in two minutes
In France, people make a wish before flipping their pancakes, and do this 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 that amount
The Guinness World Record for most pancakes served in eight hours is 34,818
The highest pancake throw was 329 cm high
On Pancake Day in Lithuania they consume pancakes and donuts
In Finland they eat green pea soup and pastries. In Iceland they eat salted meat and peas
Pancake day races are common in towns and villages across Britain. The race is followed by a church service
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, is a moveable celebration and can fall anywhere between February 3 and March 9