Families stocking up on oats for Easter
Do you use oats for several breakfasts as well as baking biscuits? Then the pack size and whether you can store the remainder in a properly sealed container are both worth considering.
Who is this guide for?
Home cooks baking oat biscuits
When baking biscuits, it’s not just the quantity that matters. Check whether your recipe calls for fine or coarse flakes before choosing a large pack.
Shoppers looking for quick breakfasts too
If you’ll also use the same pack to make porridge during the week, the cooking instructions and texture of the flakes are practical things to consider alongside the pack size.
What should you look for?
First, work out how much you’ll use for breakfast and biscuits. Then choose the flake texture that suits your recipe, and think about how you’ll prepare and store the rest of the pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the breakfasts and baking sessions you have planned. Make sure you can seal the pack properly once it’s open. | If oats are going to be served several times, I want to have enough in the cupboard without leaving an opened pack unused for too long. About 44% of consumers put the quantity they need first. |
| Flake texture | Check whether the pack contains fine or coarse flakes, and which texture your biscuit recipe calls for. | For my biscuits, I want to use the flakes that suit the recipe. Flake texture comes first for about 33% of consumers. |
| Breakfast preparation | Read the instructions for cooking in a pan or microwave, and for serving cold if you’d like to alternate between these options. | On weekday mornings, I want to know how to make a quick breakfast from the same pack. About 23% of consumers give breakfast preparation top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Buying a large pack without a storage plan
A 1 kg pack is most practical if you’ll use the oats regularly and can seal the remainder properly after opening.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing oats in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. Choose a pack size that suits how much you use and the storage space you have available.
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Assuming all oats have the same allergen information
Product information can vary from pack to pack. For example, the Quaker and Brinta product pages state that their oats may also contain other cereals.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Don’t rely on the product name alone.
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Swapping fine and coarse flakes without checking
Brinta describes its flakes as extra fine, while Lidl sells coarse oat flakes. These descriptions matter if your biscuit recipe calls for a particular texture.
Follow the type of flakes specified in the recipe. If you’d like to use a different kind, try a small amount first.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain oats in a 1 kg value pack, as well as smaller 500 g packs of fine and coarse oats.
- The 1 kg pack is worth considering if you’re buying oats for several breakfasts and baking sessions.
- Check whether your recipe calls for fine or coarse flakes.
Quaker
Quaker has a 600 g pack of oats. Albert Heijn lists instructions for cooking in a pan or microwave, as well as serving them cold.
- The listed preparation methods are useful to compare if you’re mainly buying the pack for breakfast.
- According to the product information, the oats may contain wheat and barley. If you have allergies, check the current packaging.
Brinta
Brinta offers 450 g of oats with extra-fine flakes.
- Albert Heijn says this product can be prepared by simmering gently for about one minute or heating in the microwave for two minutes.
- This pack is smaller than the 1 kg options mentioned. Check whether extra-fine flakes are right for your biscuit recipe.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers 1 kg packs of fine wholegrain oats under its own brand.
- This pack size is worth considering if you’re buying oats for several occasions.
- Check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergens that matter to your household.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
ALDI offers 1 kg packs of Golden Bridge wholegrain oats in both fine and coarse varieties.
- You can choose the type of flakes to suit the breakfast or baking recipe you’re buying the pack for.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety when you buy it.
Lidl
Lidl offers coarse oat flakes in a 500 g pack.
- The coarse flakes are a specific option to consider if that’s what your recipe calls for.
- At 500 g, this is a smaller pack than the 1 kg options mentioned.
Oats at Joybuy
This 600 g pack is an option if you’re looking for oats for breakfast. For Easter biscuits, match the flake texture to your recipe and check whether this pack size will be enough for both.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
A pack of oats to consider for several breakfasts. The pack contains 600 g; before using them in biscuits, check what flake texture your recipe calls for.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 1 kg pack of oats always handy for Easter?
No. A 1 kg pack is a practical option if you’re planning several breakfasts or baking sessions and can store the remainder properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing oats in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container.
Should I choose fine or coarse oats for Easter biscuits?
Start by choosing the type of flakes specified in your recipe. Brinta describes its oats as extra fine, while Lidl offers coarse flakes. If you’d like to try a different type, use a small amount first.
Are ordinary oats automatically gluten-free?
No. Don’t assume they are just because the product is called oats. If anyone in your household needs to eat gluten-free, check the current packaging, including both the product claims and the allergen information.
What should I check on the label if I have an allergy?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re going to use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on pre-packed food labels. When buying for your household, always refer to the information on the current packaging.