Home bakers who like to keep a supply in the cupboard
You regularly use oats in muffins, pancakes or bars and want a pack size that suits the quantities in your recipes. Jumbo and ALDI list loose wholegrain oats in a range of pack sizes.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bakers who also make small portions of porridge
You use oats for more than just baking and sometimes want to make a quick single portion too. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as containing twelve portions, with a preparation time of two minutes.
Bakers who need to choose gluten-free products
You can’t choose an ordinary pack of oats based on the product name alone. For people with coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol, so check the packaging of the product you plan to use.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the type of oats your recipe calls for. Then consider which pack suits the way you use them, and check the label separately if you need a gluten-free option.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack size | Compare the net weight and check whether you’re buying loose oats or individual portions. | I bake with oats regularly and don’t want to open a new pack for every recipe. Having the right amount in stock is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Oat texture | Check whether the recipe calls for fine oats, jumbo oats or oat flour; Jumbo also explains how to grind oats finely for pancakes. | I want the oats to remain visible in bars, while another recipe may call for finely ground oats. The texture required is the first consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Convenient portions | Check the number of portions and preparation instructions if you also use the oats to make porridge. | As well as baking, I sometimes want to make a quick portion of porridge. Convenience matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free labelling | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and if you have coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. | If I need to eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I can’t assume that ordinary oats are suitable. Checking the label is the main priority for around 25% of consumers making this choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming instant oats work in every baking recipe
The word ‘instant’ doesn’t tell you whether a recipe calls for fine oats, jumbo oats or oat flour. You could end up buying a different type from the one specified in the recipe.
Read the recipe and compare its instructions with the product name. If it calls for oat flour, check whether you can grind the oats yourself; Jumbo describes using ground oats in pancakes.
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Assuming ordinary oats are automatically gluten-free
A mention of oats on the packaging doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Jumbo lists gluten and possible traces of barley, rye and wheat for its fine wholegrain oats.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. For oat products, the Voedingscentrum distinguishes between those suitable for coeliac disease and those that are not based on this symbol.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oats in 500 g and 1 kg packs, among other options. This gives you a practical choice of pack size for recipes that call for fine oats.
- The listed ingredients for the fine variety are wholegrain oats.
- The product information lists gluten and possible traces of barley, rye and wheat, so don’t consider this ordinary variety a gluten-free option.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
Golden Bridge, available at ALDI, includes both fine and jumbo wholegrain oats. Choose the type of oats to suit your recipe, rather than choosing by brand alone.
- Fine wholegrain oats are listed in a 500 g pack.
- If you need a gluten-free option, check the labelling on the specific pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists fine and jumbo wholegrain oats as separate products. This makes it easy to look for the type of oats your recipe calls for.
- Fine and jumbo oats are listed as separate products.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional and allergen information may change, so check the label when you buy.
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is an option if you also want to make porridge using pre-measured portions of oats. This is separate from the type of oats a baking recipe calls for.
- Albert Heijn lists twelve portions, which can be prepared in two minutes in the microwave or in a saucepan.
- Before baking, check that the type of product matches your recipe.
Brinta
Jumbo lists Brinta Oats in a 450 g pack. Use the product type shown as a starting point when comparing it with a recipe.
- The product listing specifies a 450 g pack.
- Check the packaging of the variety you buy for its ingredients, allergens and type of oats.
Crownfield (Lidl)
Lidl lists Crownfield Organic Oat Flakes, as well as a separate product containing jumbo oat flakes. Check which product suits your recipe.
- The product listings let you choose between organic oat flakes and jumbo flakes.
- Don’t assume one product has the same type of oats or other features as the other based on its listing.
Joybuy products
Matching products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need instant oats for oat muffins or pancakes?
No, not if the recipe calls for loose rolled oats. Check which type of oats the recipe specifies. Jumbo also explains that you can grind oats finely for pancakes if you need a flour-like texture.
When are sachets handy?
Sachets are especially practical if you also want to make porridge using pre-measured portions of oats. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as containing twelve portions, with a preparation time of two minutes. For baking, check separately that the type of product suits your recipe.
Are ordinary oats automatically gluten-free?
No, ordinary oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. For oat products, the Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol if you have coeliac disease. Check the labelling on the packaging of the product you plan to use.
What allergen information should I check before baking?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, especially if you’re baking for someone with an allergy or need to make a gluten-free choice. For example, Jumbo lists gluten and possible traces of barley, rye and wheat for its fine wholegrain oats. Albert Heijn warns that online product information may change.