Bakers who want to control added sugar
You want to decide for yourself what sweetens your biscuit dough. Choose a plain oat base, and check the sweeteners in the other recipe ingredients, too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Home bakers who want to mix things quickly
You’re making a small batch of dough and looking for fine rolled oats or instant oats to suit the texture you want. Pre-measured portions can be useful here.
Bakers who need gluten-free oats
If you’re baking for someone with coeliac disease, you’ll need to check the oats separately. The Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol; check the other ingredients, too, and avoid cross-contamination while baking.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the ingredients in the oats and the full biscuit recipe. Then choose the type of oat flakes that suits your dough, and check any allergen requirements before deciding on the pack size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the oat product’s ingredients list and assess sweeteners in the recipe separately. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, preferably per 100 g of dry product. | If I want to decide how sweet my biscuits are, I’d rather choose a plain base than an oat product with a flavouring mix. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Dough texture | Look for descriptions such as fine, extra fine or instant, and follow the liquid-to-oat ratio in your recipe. Check that the dough is firm and not too sticky. | If I want a less coarse oat texture in my biscuits, I choose a type of oat flake that suits my recipe. Around 29% of consumers give dough texture top priority. |
| Gluten and allergens | If you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol. Also read the allergen information on every pack and check the other ingredients. | If I’m baking for someone with coeliac disease, I need to be sure which oat product I’m using and how to avoid cross-contamination. This is the main requirement for around 14% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the pack size and decide whether pre-measured portions or a pack that lets you measure out the amount yourself better suits the quantity you’re baking. | For small batches, I sometimes don’t want to weigh out oats every time; if I bake more often, I’d rather choose the amount myself. This convenience matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means biscuits will be low in sugar
That claim on the oats doesn’t describe the whole recipe. Fruit and other sweeteners also contribute to the sugar in your biscuits.
Choose your oat base by checking the ingredients, then consider what else you’re adding to the dough.
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Comparing a prepared portion with dry oatmeal
Nutritional values for oatmeal prepared with milk aren’t directly comparable with values for dry oat flakes.
Check the basis given in the nutrition table and, where possible, compare dry products per 100 g.
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Assuming ordinary oatmeal is automatically gluten-free
According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. An ingredients list that names only oat flakes doesn’t rule out this possibility.
If you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol and check your other baking ingredients and the utensils you use, too.
Brands and shops to consider
Quaker
Oats Express Naturel is an option if you want to use pre-measured portions of oats.
- Albert Heijn lists Oats Express Naturel as wholegrain oatmeal with no added sugars.
- The label states that it may contain soya, barley and wheat; check the pack again before buying.
Brinta
Oatmeal with extra-fine flakes if you want a finer oat base for your dough.
- The ingredients list on Albert Heijn’s website states that it contains 100% oat flakes.
- The product may contain wheat and rye. Nutritional values for a prepared portion with milk aren’t the same as those for dry oats.
Albert Heijn
A shop with a range of oat varieties and product information on brands including Quaker and Brinta.
- Ingredients and nutritional information on the product pages can help you compare oat bases.
- Product information can change, so check the current packaging for sugar and allergen details.
Jumbo
Fine wholegrain oat flakes in a 1 kg pack if you want to measure out the amount you need for baking.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes as the only ingredient in this variety.
- The allergen information lists oats and possible traces of barley, rye and wheat.
Lidl
A shop that sells, among other options, coarse oat flakes if you’d prefer a chunkier texture.
- Lidl lists the coarse flakes in a 500 g pack.
- Check the pack to make sure the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens suit your recipe.
Aldi / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge fine wholegrain oatmeal is a pack option if you want to measure out fine oats.
- ALDI lists this variety in a 500 g pack.
- Before choosing these oats for biscuits, check the current pack for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
Oat products on Joybuy
These oat products are suitable for making your own biscuit dough. Compare their ingredients and oat type with your recipe; the other ingredients you choose will determine how sweet the biscuits are.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
A fine oat base for deciding exactly what sweetens your biscuit dough. Joybuy’s product information lists 100% oat flakes and describes them as extra fine.
Only compare nutritional values after checking the label to see whether they apply to dry oats or a prepared portion. Check the allergen information if wheat or rye is relevant to you.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a pre-measured oat base for a small batch of biscuits. Check the ingredients on the pack and make sure the type of oats suits your recipe.
Check the basis used for the nutritional values before comparing sugar content. Also read the allergen information, including possible traces of soya, wheat and barley.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean my oat biscuits will be low in sugar?
No. The claim on an oat product doesn’t tell you how much sugar the whole biscuit contains. Check the fruit, honey, chocolate and other ingredients in your recipe, too.
Why does the sugar content of prepared Brinta seem different from that of dry oat flakes?
A prepared portion may contain milk, so its composition differs from that of dry oats. Check what the nutritional information applies to and, where possible, compare dry products per 100 g.
Can I use ordinary oatmeal for biscuits if I have coeliac disease?
Ordinary oatmeal isn’t automatically suitable. For coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol, as oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. Check the other ingredients, too, and avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.
What can I do if my oat biscuit dough is too sticky?
Aim for a firm dough that isn’t too sticky, and chill it if necessary before shaping the biscuits. The Voedingscentrum uses this texture as a guide in an oat biscuit recipe; add liquid gradually if you change the type of oats or sweetener.