Home bakers who want to grind oats finely
The Medisports pepernoten recipe uses oat flour or finely ground porridge oats. If you buy flakes, their texture determines how much more grinding you’ll need to do.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bakers who want to use one pack
For one or a few batches, compare the pack size with the 175 g of oats used per Medisports recipe to see how much you’ll have left over.
Bakers who need a strictly gluten-free option
If you have coeliac disease, oats as the main ingredient aren’t enough to determine whether a product is suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol; also check the latest allergen information on the pack.
What should you look for?
Start with the texture your recipe calls for, then choose a suitable pack size. Before using the oats, check the allergen information if it’s relevant to your baking.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and dough consistency | Look for oat flour or fine flakes. If you choose jumbo oats, check that you can grind them finely enough yourself. | I want to make the dough with the finely ground oats the recipe calls for, without spending too long grinding them. Around 50% of consumers put texture first. |
| Pack size and using up leftovers | Compare the pack size with the 175 g of oats used per Medisports recipe, and think about how you’ll use any leftovers. | For a small baking session, I don’t want to open a large pack and leave most of it unused. Pack size is the main concern for around 40% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the latest label. If you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | If the pepernoten need to be strictly gluten-free, I need to look beyond the word ‘oats’. Suitability is the main concern for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying jumbo oats when you can’t grind them
The Medisports recipe calls for oat flour or finely ground porridge oats. Jumbo oats are a different product type, so you’ll need to grind them before use.
Choose oat flour or fine flakes if you want to keep extra preparation to a minimum. Jumbo oats are a good option if you can grind them finely yourself.
Grinding oats yourself takes time and requires a suitable blender or food processor.
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Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free
If you have coeliac disease, ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that they may be contaminated with gluten-containing cereals.
For a strictly gluten-free option, check the latest label and the official Crossed Grain symbol.
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Choosing a pack without thinking about leftovers
At 175 g of oats per recipe, two batches will leave you with 25 g from a 375 g pack, but 150 g from a 500 g pack.
Work out how many batches you want to bake, and choose a larger pack if you have a use for the leftover oats too.
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Assuming individual sachets are the same as a pack of fine flakes
Quaker describes Express Naturel as twelve portions for quick preparation. For a recipe that calls for 175 g of finely ground oats, you’ll need to open several sachets and may still need to grind the oats.
Before baking, check the pack size and texture. Choose individual portions when the separate packaging suits the way you plan to use them.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Jumbo describes Brinta Havermout 450 g as porridge oats with extra-fine flakes.
- The extra-fine flakes are worth considering if you want to grind the oats further for pepernoten dough.
- The listed allergen information includes oats and possible traces of rye and wheat, so don’t treat this product as a gluten-free option.
Quaker
Quaker porridge oats are available in 375 g and 600 g packs. Quaker describes Express Naturel as twelve individual portions.
- The different pack sizes let you choose according to how many batches you plan to bake.
- For Express Naturel, check that the portion size and texture suit a recipe that calls for finely ground oats.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists fine wholegrain oat flakes in a 500 g pack, with wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient.
- The fine flakes give you a good starting point for grinding the oats further for this recipe.
- Check the allergen information on the current pack if gluten or other cereals are a concern.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists separate 500 g packs of fine and jumbo wholegrain porridge oats.
- You can choose between fine flakes and jumbo oats to grind yourself.
- Jumbo states that both of these varieties may contain barley, rye and wheat.
Golden Bridge
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack, as well as a jumbo variety.
- The fine variety is a useful option if you’re looking for a small baking supply with the right texture.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the variety you choose.
Crownfield
Lidl lists Crownfield organic oat flakes as a store product.
- Oat flakes are an option if you’re happy to grind them finely yourself for the pepernoten recipe.
- In store, check the pack size, texture, ingredients and allergen information.
Porridge oats at Joybuy
These two pack sizes are suitable for making a few batches with oats. Check whether you’ll need to grind the flakes more finely for your recipe; a pack of porridge oats isn’t the same as ready-made oat flour.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
A pack for anyone who wants to use fine flakes as the base for pepernoten dough. It contains 450 g; at 175 g per recipe, you’ll have 100 g left after two batches.
Check whether the flakes need to be ground more finely for your recipe. Don’t assume ordinary porridge oats are gluten-free. If you need a strictly gluten-free option, check the latest label and certification.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
A 500 g pack for anyone who wants oats for several batches. At 175 g per recipe, you’ll have 150 g left after two batches.
Before buying, check the ingredients on the pack: the product title says Whole Wheat, while the available description mentions fine oat flakes. Also check whether the flakes need grinding and read the allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use porridge oats instead of oat flour for pepernoten?
Yes, if you grind the flakes finely for a recipe that calls for finely ground porridge oats. The Medisports recipe uses 175 g of oat flour or finely ground porridge oats. Jumbo oats need more grinding than fine flakes.
Which pack size is right for one or two batches?
Based on the 175 g of oats used per Medisports recipe, a 375 g pack is enough for two full batches, with 25 g left over. You’ll have 100 g left from a 450 g pack and 150 g from a 500 g pack after two batches. Choose according to how you plan to use the leftover oats.
Are ordinary porridge oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that people with coeliac disease should only use oat products carrying the official Crossed Grain symbol. Check the symbol and allergen information on the current pack.
How should I store porridge oats after baking?
Seal the opened pack well and store it in a cool, dry, dark place, as advised in the product information for the porridge oats mentioned by Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Follow the instructions on your own pack if they differ.