Households preparing several Christmas dishes
If you’re using oats for different breakfasts, desserts or bakes, choose a pack size that suits the number of portions you’re planning and that you’ll be able to use up after the festive season.
Who should take care when choosing?
Cooks who care about the texture of their oats
The texture you want can vary between porridge, biscuits and other dishes. Choose the right type of oats first, then work out how much you’ll need.
Hosts catering for dietary requirements
If a guest needs to eat gluten-free or is avoiding certain allergens, the current ingredients and allergy advice on the pack matter more than its size.
What should you look for when buying?
First, think about the dishes you’re making and who you’re cooking for. Then compare the type and size of pack, and consider the time between buying, preparing and serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and portions | Compare the weight in grams with your recipes and check whether the pack states how many portions it contains. | When I’m cooking for several occasions over Christmas, I want enough oats without ending up with a large amount left over. Around 30% of consumers prioritise having enough for several portions. |
| Oat texture | Check whether fine or coarser oats are right for the dish you’re making. If you’re trying a new recipe, test a small amount first if needed. | For porridge, I want to be able to choose a different texture from the one I use for baking. Around 30% of consumers prioritise how the recipe turns out. |
| Gluten-free labelling and allergens | Read the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen warnings on the current pack. | If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, I don’t want to assume a pack is suitable just because it says oats. Dietary requirements are a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparing ahead | Plan separately how you’ll store dry oats and when you’ll serve prepared porridge. | I like to shop ahead, but I don’t want to make prepared dishes too early. For around 20% of consumers, planning is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Automatically choosing the largest pack
A large pack won’t necessarily suit the number of dishes you’re making. Any dry oats left over will need space in your cupboard after Christmas too.
Add up how much you need for each recipe and consider whether you’ll use any leftovers later before choosing a pack size.
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Assuming standard oats are gluten-free
Standard products may carry warnings about cereals containing gluten. Quaker says its standard oats may contain barley and wheat; the Brinta oats reviewed also carry a warning about possible traces of wheat and rye.
Choose a product that suits your guest’s dietary needs, check the current label and avoid cross-contamination during preparation if that’s important for them.
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Storing dry oats and prepared porridge for the same length of time
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened dry oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year. For prepared, unsweetened porridge made with whole milk, it recommends 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
You can buy dry oats in advance if you like, but plan to make porridge close to the day you’ll serve it and make a note of when you prepared it.
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Judging a dessert by its oat base alone
The other ingredients and portion size also affect the nutritional value of the finished dish.
Look at the whole Christmas recipe, including any added sugar, cream, chocolate and toppings.
Brands to consider
These examples show the pack sizes and product features you can compare. Always check the specific variant you’re buying.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option if you want to buy a large pack of fine wholegrain oats.
- Jumbo Fine Wholegrain Oats Value Pack contains 1 kg; Jumbo states that it makes 25 portions.
- This standard product warns that it may contain barley, rye and wheat. Don’t assume it’s gluten-free without checking the label.
Quaker
A branded option that includes a 600 g value pack.
- The Quaker value pack listed by Albert Heijn contains 600 g.
- Quaker says its standard oats may contain barley and wheat. Check the information for the variant you choose.
Brinta
An option if you’re looking for extra-fine oats for porridge or a recipe.
- Brinta describes its 450 g oats as extra fine and quick to prepare.
- This product may contain traces of wheat and rye.
AH
A separately labelled gluten-free wholegrain option for anyone who needs this product feature.
- Albert Heijn says that AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Oats, 450 g, are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Check the current label for this variant too, and prepare it in a way that suits your guest’s dietary needs.
Golden Bridge
A smaller own-brand pack of fine wholegrain oats.
- ALDI lists Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Oats in a 500 g pack.
- If allergens or gluten-free labelling are important, read the information on the pack for this variant.
CROWNFIELD
An organic oat option in a smaller pack.
- Lidl lists CROWNFIELD Organic Oats, 500 g, as a product available in store.
- An organic label alone doesn’t mean a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet; check the label for that information.
Oats at Joybuy
These packs offer different quantities of oats for anyone planning Christmas dishes and meals for afterwards. Check the type of oats and current label before deciding which option suits your recipes and guests.
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Quaker Oats, 600 g
A 600 g pack is worth considering if you need oats for several dishes and this quantity fits your plans.
If you’re cooking for guests with dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
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Brinta Oats, 450 g
This 450 g pack suits recipes where you want to use Brinta’s extra-fine oats. Brinta describes these oats as quick to prepare.
This variant may contain traces of wheat and rye; check the current label if you have dietary requirements to consider.
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Quaker Oats, 375 g
A 375 g pack is better suited to a limited number of planned dishes than to stocking up for several recipes.
If you’re cooking for guests with dietary requirements, read the ingredients and allergen information on this pack.
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Zonnatura Organic Oats, 500 g
This 500 g pack is an option if you’re looking for organic oats and the quantity suits your recipes.
Check the portion size when planning, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack if you have dietary requirements to consider.
Frequently asked questions
When does a large pack of oats make sense for Christmas?
A large pack makes sense if you can use the amount you need for your dishes and store and use up any leftovers afterwards. Add together the quantities for each recipe before choosing between pack sizes.
Can I use standard oats for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume standard oats are gluten-free. Check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the current pack, and take your guest’s dietary requirements into account when preparing the food.
What allergen information should I check on the pack?
Read the ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the pack you’re buying. The Brinta oats reviewed may contain traces of wheat and rye; Quaker says its standard oats may contain barley and wheat.
How long can I keep oats and prepared porridge?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened dry oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year. For prepared, unsweetened porridge made with whole milk, it recommends 3 to 5 days in the fridge. So plan when you’ll prepare it separately from when you buy the dry oats.
Do oats alone determine the nutritional value of a Christmas dessert?
No. The way it’s prepared, the other ingredients and the portion size all matter too. If you want to assess the nutritional information, look at the whole recipe, including any sugar, cream, chocolate and toppings.