Who is this choice relevant to?

Bakers who like to add their own sweetener

You’re looking for a plain oat base for Christmas biscuits, so you can decide how much sweetener to use in the recipe. Even with instant oats, check the ingredients for the variety you choose.

Bakers who want to use fine oats

You want to mix oats into the biscuit dough easily, without having to grind coarse flakes first. Check whether the recipe calls for fine flakes or another type of oats: they aren’t necessarily interchangeable.

Bakers who need gluten-free ingredients

You need oats that are explicitly labelled gluten-free. The word ‘oats’ alone isn’t enough, so check the gluten-free statement and allergen information on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Added sugar Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for the variety you’ve chosen. If I want to control the sweetness of my Christmas biscuits, I look for oats with no sugar added. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Oat texture Check whether they’re instant oats or fine flakes, and whether that form is suitable for your biscuit recipe. If I don’t want coarse flakes in the dough and would rather not grind the oats first, I look for a fine oat base. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Gluten-free suitability Check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free statement and read the allergen information. For gluten-free Christmas baking, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. Around 10% of consumers say this is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, these are different claims: a product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Other ingredients in the biscuit recipe count too.

    Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g before choosing the oats and sweetener for your recipe.

  • Assuming all varieties from one brand are the same

    Quaker Netherlands lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g and no added sugars for Oats Express Original. The Cinnamon variety contains sugar as an ingredient and lists 19 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the specific flavour variety. If you use a flavoured mix, factor its ingredients into your recipe too.

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    The product information for Quaker Oats Express Original and Brinta Oatmeal lists the possible presence of cereals containing gluten. This means these standard varieties aren’t confirmed as suitable for gluten-free baking.

    If you need gluten-free oats, only choose a product whose current packaging explicitly confirms that it’s gluten-free, and check the allergen information.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Oats Express is available in Original and flavoured varieties. For Christmas biscuits that you’re sweetening yourself, the difference between the varieties matters more than the brand name.

  • According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Original is made from wholegrain oats, contains no added sugars and has 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The Cinnamon variety contains sugar as an ingredient and lists 19 g of sugars per 100 g. If you need a gluten-free option, check the allergen information for the variety you choose too.

Brinta

Brinta Oatmeal is a plain option if you’re looking for extra-fine oat flakes for your dough.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Oatmeal contains 100% oat flakes, described as extra fine.
  • The same product information lists possible traces of wheat and rye. Don’t treat this variety as confirmed gluten-free.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oatmeal as well as a separate gluten-free oat range. Check which specific variety is right for your recipe.

  • Jumbo describes Lekker Vrij van Gluten Oatmeal as oatmeal made with gluten-free oat flakes and displays a crossed-grain symbol.
  • Check the current availability and packaging of this gluten-free variety. Don’t assume the regular fine flakes have the same properties without checking the label.

Golden Bridge

The fine wholegrain oatmeal from this ALDI own-brand range is worth considering if you’re looking for fine flakes rather than instant portions.

  • ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain oatmeal.
  • Before using it, read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging, especially if you have a specific sugar or gluten-free requirement.

Oat products at Joybuy

These products offer two types of oats to consider for Christmas biscuits: instant oats and extra-fine oat flakes. Check the current packaging for both before choosing them for a sugar-conscious or gluten-free recipe.

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

An instant option if you want to decide how much sweetener to add to your Christmas biscuits. Check the ingredients and sugars per 100 g on the packaging; also check what type of oats it contains if the texture of your dough matters. If you need a gluten-free option, don’t assume it’s suitable unless this is explicitly stated.

View at Joybuy
Brinta Oatmeal 450 g

Brinta Oatmeal 450 g

A plain oat base if you want to add your own sweetener and are looking for extra-fine flakes for your Christmas biscuits. The product information lists 100% oat flakes and describes them as extra fine. Check the sugars per 100 g on the current packaging; the stated possible presence of wheat and rye means this isn’t a confirmed gluten-free option.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are instant oats with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, they may still contain naturally occurring sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’; for your biscuits, check both the ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

Which oats should I choose if I want to sweeten my Christmas biscuits myself?

Start with a plain variety whose ingredients list contains only oats, then decide what to add based on your recipe. Check flavoured varieties separately: Quaker Netherlands lists sugar as an ingredient in Oats Express Cinnamon, with 19 g of sugars per 100 g.

Can I use ordinary instant oats for gluten-free Christmas biscuits?

Only use an oat product whose current packaging explicitly identifies it as gluten-free and that meets your requirements. The standard Quaker and Brinta varieties reviewed list the possible presence of cereals containing gluten.

How should I store leftover oatmeal?

Store the oatmeal in a dry place and follow the instructions on the packaging. Reseal the pack carefully after measuring out what you need for your biscuits.