Home bakers who measure out their own portions
If you regularly bake oat bread, muffins or other recipes with oats, a pack of porridge oats lets you measure out the amount you need each time. Check whether the recipe calls for fine or jumbo oats.
Which type of oats is right for you?
Bakers who want a quick, ready-measured portion
If you only use oats occasionally in a simple recipe, individual sachets can save you the effort of measuring. Just compare the amount in each sachet with the quantity your recipe calls for.
Home bakers who need to bake strictly gluten-free
The word ‘oats’ on its own isn’t enough. Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and use a recipe designed for gluten-free baking.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the recipe: the type of oats and baking method it calls for will determine which products are suitable. Then think about how you want to measure and store your oats.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring and storing your own portions | Check the pack size, best-before date and storage instructions. | If I bake on different days, I want to be able to measure out the amount my recipe needs each time and store the rest properly. For around 25% of consumers, this flexibility comes first. |
| Flake size and bread texture | Check whether the recipe specifies fine oats, jumbo oats or oat flour, and whether it’s designed for yeasted bread. | When baking bread-style recipes, I want the type of oats to suit the intended texture. Simply using oats instead of all the wheat flour doesn’t give me that assurance. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this when choosing a recipe. |
| Portion convenience | Compare the amount in each sachet with what the recipe calls for, and read the ingredients for the product you choose. | When I only bake with oats occasionally, I want to be able to grab a useful amount quickly. For around 17% of consumers, this convenience is the main consideration. |
| Gluten-free options | Check the gluten-free label and the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If I bake strictly gluten-free, the oat product needs to meet that requirement, and I also need a suitable recipe. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming instant oats can replace regular bread flour
According to the Voedingscentrum, gluten helps give bread its lightness and structure. Replacing all the wheat flour with an oat product can therefore produce a different result from the one intended by a recipe for yeasted wheat bread.
Choose a recipe that uses oats as its main ingredient, or add porridge oats only in the way specified in your bread recipe.
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Assuming all porridge oats are gluten-free
Regular oat products may carry warnings for wheat, barley or rye. The name of the grain alone won’t tell you whether a pack is suitable for strictly gluten-free baking.
Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients and allergen information too.
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Leaving an opened bag unsealed
A bag left open after baking does less to protect its contents from things in your cupboard. The Voedingscentrum advises storing food in sealed containers.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the bag securely after use, or transfer the oats to a clean, airtight container.
Brands and shops to explore
A brand name doesn’t tell you which type of oats is in the pack. Compare the label on the specific product with your recipe and any gluten-free requirements.
Quaker
Quaker offers both regular porridge oats and Oats Express Naturel in individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists its 600 g pack of regular porridge oats as 100% wholegrain oats; Oats Express Naturel comes in individual portions.
- The regular porridge oats may contain barley and wheat. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the Oats Express Naturel product you choose.
Brinta
Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt is a wheat product, not an instant oats option.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains wholemeal wheat flour and salt. This may be relevant if a recipe specifically calls for Brinta.
- Don’t use this variety as a substitute when a recipe calls for oats or when the bake needs to be gluten-free.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare the ingredients in regular porridge oats and individual instant oats products.
- The product information for Elovena Natural describes it as gluten-free instant porridge oats in individual portions.
- Check the current packaging when you buy, as product information and ranges can change.
Jumbo
A shop with product information on fine and jumbo oats, among other products.
- Jumbo distinguishes between fine and jumbo oats, so you can compare the type with what your recipe calls for.
- According to the product information, the fine wholegrain porridge oats may contain barley, rye and wheat. If you’re baking strictly gluten-free, don’t assume they’re suitable based on the name alone.
Lidl
A shop worth considering if you’re looking for jumbo oats for a recipe.
- Lidl describes a 500 g pack of jumbo oats.
- Check the ingredients, allergen information and availability of the pack you choose in store.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge Fijne Volkoren Havermout is worth considering when your recipe calls for fine porridge oats.
- ALDI describes this variety as fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergen information.
Oat products at Joybuy
These products offer packaged oats for recipes that call for them. Compare the type and amount of oats specified with your recipe. A portion pack and a pack you measure from yourself suit different needs.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
A pack that lets you measure out the amount of oats you need for a suitable baking recipe.
Pack size: 450 g. Check the packaging for flake size, allergen information, best-before date and storage instructions.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A pack of porridge oats for recipes where you measure out the amount you need yourself.
Pack size: 600 g. Check that the flake size suits your recipe. If you need a gluten-free product, also read the current allergen information on the packaging.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
Worth considering if you want to use a pre-measured amount of oats in a recipe.
Pack size: 324 g. Check the amount per portion and whether the product type suits your recipe. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use instant oats as a one-to-one replacement for wheat flour in yeasted bread?
Not unless you’re using a recipe designed for that substitution. Wageningen University & Research explains how gluten proteins contribute to the strength and structure of dough. If you want oats as the main ingredient, choose a suitable oat bread recipe rather than simply replacing all the wheat flour in an existing yeasted bread recipe.
How should I store porridge oats or instant oats between baking sessions?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging, and seal opened packs securely. Jumbo recommends doing this for its porridge oats; the Voedingscentrum advises using sealed containers to protect food while it’s being stored.
Are regular porridge oats suitable if I bake strictly gluten-free?
Don’t assume they are. Regular oat packs may carry warnings for wheat, barley or rye. For strictly gluten-free baking, check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the current ingredients and allergen information.