Home baker looking for one staple for several recipes
You want to use oats as flakes or grind them finely yourself, depending on the recipe. Voedingscentrum uses oats in biscuits, while Lidl shows how to grind the flakes finely in a cracker recipe.
Who are oats as a baking staple suitable for?
Store-cupboard planner
You want to store an opened pack properly between baking sessions. Voedingscentrum recommends keeping it in a cool, dry, dark place and sealing the pack tightly.
Baker with a gluten-free requirement
You check whether the specific oats are labelled as gluten-free. Regular varieties from Quaker and Jumbo state that they may contain other cereals containing gluten.
What should you look for when choosing?
Let the recipe determine which type of oats you need, then consider pack size, storage and any gluten-free requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and use | Check whether the pack contains fine or jumbo flakes, and whether the recipe calls for whole or finely ground oats. | For biscuits with visible flakes, I want a different texture than I would for a smoother batter. The desired texture in baked goods is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Storage and packaging | Choose a quantity that suits your baking plans, and make sure you can seal the pack properly once opened. | If I only bake occasionally, I want a pack I can store properly between uses. Around 33% of consumers put suitability for storage first. |
| Gluten-free requirement | Check the gluten-free labelling and allergen information on the specific pack, as well as the recipe’s other ingredients. | When my bake needs to be gluten-free, the suitability of every ingredient comes before the texture of the flakes. An estimated 22% of consumers are expected to prioritise this requirement. |
Common mistakes when buying and storing oats
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Assuming all oats are gluten-free
Quaker Original states that it may contain barley and wheat; Jumbo also lists rye for its jumbo wholegrain oat flakes. This means you can’t automatically use regular flakes in a gluten-free bake.
If you need a gluten-free option, choose a pack clearly labelled as gluten-free and check the recipe’s other ingredients too.
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Buying portion packs for large batches
Quaker Express is designed for quick preparation in individual portions. If a recipe calls for a lot of oats, loose flakes may be more convenient.
Check how much your recipe calls for and choose a pack size to match.
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Leaving an opened pack unsealed
An open pack offers less protection against moisture and pests.
Seal the pack tightly after use or transfer the oats to an airtight storage container. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place, as Voedingscentrum recommends.
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Replacing all the flour with ground oats without adapting the recipe
Grinding changes the form of the oats, but doesn’t automatically make them interchangeable with other flour. Lidl uses finely ground oats in a cracker recipe alongside other ingredients.
Follow the quantities in a recipe designed for oats rather than swapping them into any baking recipe on a one-to-one basis.
Brands to consider as a guide
Quaker
Offers regular wholegrain oats as well as Express portion packs.
- Quaker lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient in its Original variety.
- Quaker states that Original may contain barley and wheat; check the pack if you need a gluten-free option.
Albert Heijn
Offers a separate gluten-free wholegrain oat product.
- Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient in this variety and states that it is produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack when you buy it.
Jumbo
Offers fine and jumbo wholegrain oat flakes, including 500 g packs and 1 kg packs of fine flakes.
- Choosing between fine and jumbo flakes lets you match the texture to the recipe.
- Jumbo states that its jumbo wholegrain oat flakes may contain barley, rye and wheat.
Lidl
Offers jumbo oat flakes and a cracker recipe that uses finely ground oats.
- The recipe uses 100 g of finely ground oats and shows how flakes can be used in a baking recipe.
- Follow the quantities in your chosen recipe; finely ground oats don’t automatically replace every other type of flour.
ALDI
Offers Golden Bridge fine and jumbo wholegrain oats.
- The fine wholegrain variety is listed in a 500 g pack.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack if they’re relevant to your recipe.
Oats for home baking at Joybuy
These Quaker packs are options for recipes that call for oats; the Express variety offers individual portions if you prefer to measure that way. Check that the type of oats and ingredients in each pack suit your recipe.
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Quaker Oats 600 g
A pack for recipes that call for oats, when you want to have 600 g to hand. Check the pack for the flake size and allergen information if these are relevant to your bake.
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Quaker Oats 375 g
A smaller pack for anyone who wants to make a recipe with oats without buying 600 g. Check the pack to see which type of flakes and allergen information apply to this variety.
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Quaker Express Oats 324 g
The Express variety is an option if you want to use individual portions; loose flakes may be easier to weigh out for a larger batch. Check the ingredients and quantities on the pack before using the portions in a recipe.
Frequently asked questions
How long can you keep opened oats in the cupboard?
Voedingscentrum gives a storage life of one year for opened oats kept in a kitchen cupboard. Store the flakes in a cool, dry, dark place and seal them tightly; check the contents before using an older pack in a recipe.
Can you grind oats for baking?
Yes, you can grind them when a recipe calls for ground oats. Lidl uses 100 g of finely ground oats in a cracker recipe, but that doesn’t mean you can replace other flour in every cake or bread recipe without making adjustments.
Should you choose fine or jumbo flakes for biscuits?
Choose jumbo flakes if you want the oats to be visible; fine or ground flakes are a better choice if you want less noticeable texture. Follow the type of flakes and quantities in your chosen recipe for the intended dough.
Are regular oats suitable for gluten-free baking?
Not without checking the specific pack. Quaker states that Original may contain barley and wheat, while Jumbo lists possible traces of barley, rye and wheat for its jumbo wholegrain oat flakes. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a variety explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the recipe’s other ingredients too.