Bakers looking to avoid added sugar
You want to decide for yourself whether to add sweetening ingredients to your bread. In that case, the ingredients list on natural porridge oats matters more than a flavour name on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bakers making small batches
You want to quickly measure out some oats for your dough. Individual portions can be handy for this; for larger quantities, you can weigh out fine oats yourself.
Households baking strictly gluten-free
If your bread needs to be strictly gluten-free, seeing the word ‘oats’ on the pack isn’t enough. Check for a gluten-free label and take steps to avoid cross-contamination while baking.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and nutritional information, then decide whether portions or loose oats are better suited to your recipe. If your bread needs to be strictly gluten-free, check for a gluten-free label separately.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and for the amount you use. Quaker Netherlands lists only wholegrain oats as an ingredient for Oats Express Natural, with 1 g of sugars per 100 g; the Banana and Cinnamon varieties list sugar as an ingredient and contain 19 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to control the sweetness of my bread, I don’t want to add sugar from a flavour mix. An estimated 44% of consumers put this check first. |
| Portions or loose oats | Compare the portion size with the amount in your recipe. Try a different form of oats with a small amount of dough first; the result for bread texture or moisture absorption may not be the same. | For a small loaf, I want to be able to measure out the oats quickly, while for a larger quantity I’d rather weigh out the oats myself. An estimated 33% of consumers say ease of measuring is their main consideration. |
| Gluten-free label | Check whether the pack says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol. Also read the allergen information and avoid cross-contamination while baking. | If my bread needs to be strictly gluten-free, that requirement comes before my preference for flavour or portions. An estimated 23% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Using a flavoured variety instead of natural oats
According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Banana and Cinnamon contain sugar as an ingredient and each have 19 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Oats Express Natural. This difference matters when you add the oats to your bread dough.
Choose natural porridge oats if you want to control the sweetness yourself. If you do use a flavoured variety, remember to include the sugars in the amount you use in your recipe.
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Assuming all oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with grains containing gluten during processing. So a regular pack of oats isn’t automatically suitable for strictly gluten-free baking.
For strictly gluten-free bread, check for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid cross-contamination from other ingredients and kitchen utensils.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Worth considering if you want to compare natural instant porridge oats with individually packaged flavoured varieties.
- According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Natural contains only wholegrain oats and has 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- For Oats Express Banana and Cinnamon, Quaker lists sugar as an ingredient and 19 g of sugars per 100 g. Bear this in mind if you use a flavoured variety in bread.
Brinta
Worth considering if you want to weigh out loose, fine oats rather than use instant portions.
- Brinta lists 100% oats for its Porridge Oats and describes them as extra fine.
- The product information at Albert Heijn warns that Brinta Porridge Oats may contain traces of wheat and rye. Don’t treat this product as gluten-free unless the pack carries the appropriate label.
Jumbo huismerk
Worth considering if you want to compare fine wholegrain oats with portion packs and oats specifically labelled gluten-free.
- Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oats in its porridge oats range.
- A description of oats as fine doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for a gluten-free diet. Check the label on the pack of the product you choose.
Instant porridge oats at Joybuy
This pack of Quaker Express Oatmeal is worth considering if you’re thinking of using instant porridge oats as an ingredient in bread. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack with the requirements of your recipe.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Consider this pack if you’re looking for porridge oats for a bread recipe and want to check the ingredients yourself. The pack contains 324 g; if you’re replacing another form of oats, try a small amount of dough first.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean that porridge oats contain no sugars?
No, the product may still contain sugars. Quaker Netherlands says Oats Express Natural has no added sugar, but it does contain 1 g of sugars per 100 g. So check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information.
Can I use banana- or cinnamon-flavoured instant oats in bread with little added sugar?
The Quaker varieties we looked at aren’t interchangeable with a natural oat base if you want to avoid added sugar from the oats. Quaker Netherlands lists sugar as an ingredient in Oats Express Banana and Cinnamon, which contain 19 g of sugars per 100 g. Use them only if their ingredients suit your recipe.
Can I use regular fine oats instead of instant porridge oats?
Yes, you can consider fine oats as an ingredient in your bread recipe, but don’t assume they’ll give exactly the same result in every dough. Weigh out the amount and try the swap with a small amount of dough first, so you can assess the texture of your own recipe.
Are regular oats suitable if I’m baking strictly gluten-free bread?
Not necessarily: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with grains containing gluten during processing. For strictly gluten-free bread, choose oats labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid cross-contamination while baking.