If your pepernoten recipe calls for oat flour or finely ground oats, fine oat flakes that you can grind if needed are a sensible choice. Instant portions are most useful if you also want to prepare oats quickly for breakfast. To compare fibre content, check the nutritional information per 100 g, and if you need to avoid gluten or soya, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
You want to add oats to your dough, so you check the nutritional information per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 4.4 g of fibre for a 40 g serving of porridge oats, although the amount can vary between products. The other ingredients in the recipe also affect the nutritional value of the baked pepernoten.
You’re looking for oats for your dough and a quick breakfast. A measured instant portion can be handy for breakfast, but you don’t need individually portioned packs for a recipe that calls for finely ground oats.
You need to take gluten, soya or possible traces of other cereals into account. Don’t rely on the product category alone: check the ingredients, allergen information and any gluten-free labelling on the pack you buy.
Start with the type of oats your recipe calls for. Then compare fibre content on the same nutritional basis and check that the ingredients suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre in the oat base | Compare fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table, and check which type of oats the product contains. | If I’m adding oats to the dough, I want to know how much fibre they contain before adding the other ingredients. This is a top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Type of oats for the dough | Check whether your recipe calls for oat flour or finely ground oats, and whether you’ll need to grind the flakes you choose. | I want to follow the recipe without discovering halfway through that I still need to grind my oats. Dough texture is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quick breakfasts | Check the preparation time and portion size if you also want to use the oats outside of baking. | As well as baking, I want to be able to prepare the oats quickly for breakfast and use measured portions. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid gluten or another allergen, I first need to know whether this particular product meets my requirements. This is the main concern when buying for around 8% of consumers. |
Instant oats are convenient for porridge, but Medisports’ recipe for oat pepernoten uses oat flour or finely ground oats.
Choose portions if you also want them for a quick breakfast. For baking, first check what type of oats the recipe calls for.
The standard products reviewed list cereals containing gluten and sometimes possible traces of other cereals. A protein version may also contain soya.
If you need to avoid gluten or another allergen, check the current packaging of the specific product, including the ingredients, allergen information and any gluten-free statement.
The nutritional value of the finished product depends on the whole recipe and portion size, not just the oats used.
Compare oat products per 100 g, and include all the ingredients when working out the nutritional value of your own recipe.
If a recipe calls for oat flour or finely ground oats, jumbo oats may need extra preparation.
Read the recipe before you buy and choose a suitable type, or allow time to grind the oats.
The oat types and labelling vary across the products reviewed from these brands. Compare the specific product that suits your recipe and any allergen requirements.
Offers both loose wholegrain oats and Oats Express portions for quick preparation.
The Havermout product reviewed contains extra-fine flakes, which may suit you if you want a finer starting point for your dough.
The range reviewed includes fine wholegrain flakes, a separate oat product labelled gluten-free and a protein version.
The own-brand range includes fine wholegrain oat flakes, available in different pack sizes.
The ALDI brand includes fine wholegrain oats for anyone looking for a finer type of oat.
These two Quaker Express products are most relevant if you’re considering oats for pepernoten dough and also want to use them for a quick breakfast. Before baking, check that the type of oats suits your recipe.
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An option if you’re looking for oats for your dough and also want a quick breakfast. Before using them in your recipe, compare the fibre per 100 g on the pack and check the allergen information if you need to avoid gluten or soya.
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An option if you also want to use the oats for a quick breakfast. Before baking, check that the type of oats suits your recipe. If you need to avoid soya or gluten, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
No, instant preparation isn’t necessary for a recipe that uses oat flour or finely ground oats. A Medisports recipe specifically calls for this finely ground form, so choose flakes you can grind if your recipe requires it.
No, the fibre content of pepernoten depends on the full recipe and the portion size. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 4.4 g of fibre for a 40 g serving of porridge oats, but this figure doesn’t describe the baked end product.
Don’t assume oats are gluten-free based on the product name alone. The standard products reviewed list cereals containing gluten or possible traces. Check that the current packaging of the specific product explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ and that it meets your requirements.
Store your oats according to the instructions on the packaging and seal the pack well after opening. The product instructions reviewed for AH and Quaker say to store them in a dry place.
