Who is this choice relevant to?

Someone who follows a strict gluten-free diet because of coeliac disease

With oats, the wording on the pack is what matters. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing oats bearing the Crossed Grain mark where possible.

Anyone preparing a separate portion to serve with a rijsttafel

An instant portion is handy if you want to prepare it separately from the other dishes. You’ll still need a gluten-free pack, as well as clean utensils and a workspace free from cross-contamination.

Anyone mainly looking for quick porridge oats

If you don’t need a gluten-free product, convenience may guide your choice. However, regular quick-cook porridge oats aren’t interchangeable with a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether the portion is for someone with coeliac disease. Then compare the preparation method, how easy it is to serve as a separate component and the packaging. Oats won’t make the other dishes in a rijsttafel gluten-free.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free labelling Check the current pack for a gluten-free label, allergen information and any warnings. For oats, also look for the Crossed Grain mark. When I’m preparing a portion for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to mistake regular oats for gluten-free oats. Around 36% of consumers put verified suitability first.
Quick, separate preparation Compare portion sizes and preparation methods, and use clean equipment for the separate portion. When serving a meal with several dishes, I want to prepare a gluten-free portion separately without much fuss. For around 29% of consumers, convenience is the top priority.
Neutral base Check the ingredients if you want to choose the flavour yourself, and distinguish instant portions from regular gluten-free porridge oats. For a standalone breakfast, snack or ingredient, I want to decide what to add to the oats myself. This flexibility comes first for around 21% of consumers.
Packaging and availability Once the product meets the gluten-free requirement, check the pack size and current availability. When I need several portions, I want to know whether the pack suits my plans and is available. Around 14% of consumers give this the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming regular oats are the same as gluten-free oats

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production and processing. So the word ‘oats’ on its own doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    In that case, choose a product labelled gluten-free and, for oats, look for the Crossed Grain mark where possible.

  • Assuming quick preparation means a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet

    Quaker Oats Express Naturel is quick to prepare, but Jumbo lists gluten-containing cereals and the possible presence of, among other things, wheat and barley. For Brinta Havermout, Albert Heijn lists the possible presence of traces of wheat and rye.

    If you’re preparing a gluten-free portion, check the pack first and only then compare how convenient it is to prepare.

  • Preparing a gluten-free product alongside other dishes

    The Dutch Coeliac Society says cross-contamination can also occur during preparation. Crumbs, used spoons and worktops can all be a concern, even when the oats themselves are labelled gluten-free.

    Prepare the portion with clean equipment and keep it separate from ingredients and dishes that contain gluten.

  • Relying only on the product name on a shopping list

    A variety or pack you chose before doesn’t necessarily tell you whether the product you’re buying now is suitable. Availability can also change.

    When you buy, check the pack again and make sure a suitable gluten-free alternative is available.

Brands to consider

Elovena

An example of instant porridge oats explicitly sold as gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn describes Elovena Natural instant oatmeal as gluten-free and packed in five 40 g portions.
  • Check the current pack, even if you’ve bought this variety before.

AH Glutenvrij

An option if you’d rather use regular gluten-free porridge oats than instant portions.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij wholegrain porridge oats as produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • These are oat flakes, not individual instant sachets, so you’ll need to plan how to prepare them.

Leev Simply Free

A neutral gluten-free porridge oat base for anyone who doesn’t need an instant portion.

  • Albert Heijn lists 100% organic wholegrain gluten-free oats as an ingredient in Leev Simply Free porridge oats.
  • These regular porridge oats don’t offer the grab-and-go convenience of an instant sachet.

Quaker

Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a quick option, but it isn’t labelled gluten-free and isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

  • Jumbo describes Quaker Oats Express Naturel as porridge oats in individual portions.
  • Jumbo lists gluten-containing cereals and the possible presence of barley, gluten, soya and wheat. Quaker doesn’t guarantee that its products are completely gluten-free.

Brinta

Brinta Havermout is a quick-cook option, not a confirmed gluten-free substitute.

  • Albert Heijn describes this variety as extra-fine oat flakes.
  • The product information lists the possible presence of traces of wheat and rye. Don’t choose this variety as a gluten-free portion for someone with coeliac disease.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

An example of regular gluten-free porridge oats, although you’ll need to check current availability.

  • Jumbo describes its Havermout variety as gluten-free.
  • The product page said this variety was no longer part of the online range. Check current availability before you count on it.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are regular oats suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Not necessarily: oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product labelled gluten-free, preferably one bearing the Crossed Grain mark.

What does ‘gluten-free’ on the pack mean?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, this label means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Always check the current pack and the rest of the ingredient information when you buy.

Can I use Quaker Oats Express Naturel as gluten-free instant oats?

Not as a gluten-free portion for someone with coeliac disease. For this variety, Jumbo lists gluten-containing cereals and the possible presence of barley, gluten, soya and wheat. Quick preparation doesn’t change that information.

Are Brinta Havermout a quick gluten-free alternative?

Not for a strictly gluten-free portion. Albert Heijn lists the possible presence of traces of wheat and rye in Brinta Havermout, even though the oat flakes are extra fine and quick to prepare.

Do I only need to check the oats for an Indonesian rijsttafel?

No. If the meal is for someone with coeliac disease, check the ingredients in the other dishes too, and prevent cross-contamination at every stage of preparation. Use clean utensils for the gluten-free portion and keep it separate.