If you’re baking pepernoten for someone with coeliac disease, choose oats with an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging; the word ‘oats’ alone isn’t enough. Plain gluten-free oats give you control over the recipe’s ingredients. Gluten-free instant oats are an option if you like the convenience of pre-portioned sachets, but check that any added ingredients and the texture of the oats suit your recipe.
You’re baking pepernoten for someone with coeliac disease. That’s why you check that the oat product is labelled gluten-free and make sure the ingredients and baking equipment don’t come into contact with gluten crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the importance of preventing cross-contamination when baking gluten-free.
You’re looking for a gluten-free instant option in pre-portioned sachets, but want to know whether the ingredients and texture of the oats will work in your pepernoten recipe.
You want to use a larger pack of plain oats so you can measure out the spices and other ingredients yourself, without overlooking the gluten-free label.
For strictly gluten-free baking, start by checking the label on the finished product. Then consider whether plain oats will suit your recipe or whether pre-portioned instant oats are a better fit for the amount you want to make.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ claim and warnings about cereals containing gluten. | If I’m baking for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on oats as an ingredient alone, and I also take care to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. Around 50% of consumers put this reassurance first. |
| Control over the recipe | Check the ingredients and see whether the recipe calls for whole, fine or ground oats. | I want to choose the spices, salt and texture of my pepernoten myself, so a plain gluten-free base suits my baking plans. Around 30% of consumers put this level of control first. |
| Portions and convenience | Check the amount in each sachet and whether an instant option contains any ingredients you’ll need to account for in the recipe. | For a small batch, I find pre-measured portions handy, as long as the product also meets my gluten-free requirements. Around 20% of consumers put portion convenience first. |
Oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production and processing. So, if your pepernoten must be strictly gluten-free, ordinary porridge oats without a gluten-free label aren’t an equivalent choice.
Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible.
Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat (gluten). So, the name or main ingredient doesn’t make this product suitable for strictly gluten-free baking.
Also read the allergen information and warnings for the specific variant you’re buying.
An instant product may contain different ingredients. Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain oats and salt in Elovena Natural; this matters if you want to control the amount of salt in your pepernoten recipe yourself.
Compare the ingredients and the texture of the oats with what your recipe calls for before switching products.
Even if your oats are labelled gluten-free, they can still come into contact with gluten crumbs or gluten-containing flour while you’re baking. That’s why the Dutch Coeliac Society stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
Use clean baking equipment and a clean work surface. Also check the other ingredients in the recipe, including flour, baking powder, spice mixes and decorations.
AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Oats are worth considering if you’re looking for a plain baking base rather than instant oats.
Elovena Natural is labelled gluten-free and offers an instant option if you want to work with pre-measured portions.
The Lekker Vrij van Gluten range includes an oat product that may be useful as a point of reference.
Oats Express Naturel shows why you should check allergen information for each familiar instant oat product individually.
A gluten-free range is not the same as every pack of oats being labelled gluten-free.
No. Oats as an ingredient don’t tell you whether they may have come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production. If your pepernoten must be strictly gluten-free, choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging and prevent cross-contamination while baking.
No, don’t use this particular variant. Quaker Netherlands states that Oats Express Naturel may contain barley and wheat (gluten). Always check the label and warnings on the packaging when choosing an alternative.
Choose plain gluten-free oats if you want to control the ingredients and texture of your pepernoten recipe yourself; check whether the recipe calls for whole or ground oats. Gluten-free instant oats are an option if you want pre-measured portions, but read the ingredients: for example, Albert Heijn also lists salt in Elovena Natural.
Yes. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that you also need to prevent contact with gluten in the kitchen. Use clean equipment and a clean work surface, and check the other ingredients before you start baking.
