Home bakers who want to compare fibre
If you bake with oats regularly, compare the fibre per 100 g and read the ingredients list. That way, you can choose an oat base by checking the label, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bakers looking for a finer texture
For muffins, pancakes or banana bread, you may prefer to use less coarse flakes. Fine flakes are one option; adjust the amount of liquid and resting time to suit your recipe.
Home bakers who need to choose gluten-free
If you need a gluten-free product for your baking, don't assume that oats as an ingredient are enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that oats can be contaminated with gluten, so check the information on the exact pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need a gluten-free product. Then compare the fibre content and choose a flake texture that suits your recipe.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition information and read the ingredients list if you're looking for an unsweetened wholegrain oat base. | If I bake with oats often, I want to know how much fibre the base contains before putting my recipe together. For around 50% of consumers, this comparison comes first. |
| Flake texture | Check whether the product contains fine or coarse flakes, and whether your recipe calls for a particular texture. | If I don't want my bake to have noticeably coarse flakes, I want to be able to choose a finer oat base. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this texture. |
| Gluten-free information | If you need to choose a gluten-free product, check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol. | If I need to bake gluten-free, I don't want to rely on the word oats; I want to check the product information. For around 17% of consumers, this reassurance is the top priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Choosing sachets for a recipe that uses lots of oats
A muffin or flapjack recipe may call for several sachets. Pre-measured portions aren't necessarily convenient if you need to weigh out a specific amount.
Compare the amount in each sachet with what your recipe needs. If you bake regularly, also consider loose wholegrain flakes that you can measure out yourself.
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Assuming regular oats are suitable for gluten-free baking
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. So a product containing oats isn't automatically suitable if you need to bake gluten-free.
Check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol. Don't rely on the description of the grain alone.
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Assessing the oat base on its own
The nutritional value of your finished bake also depends on the other ingredients in the recipe, such as sugar and fats.
Compare the oat products separately, then look at the full recipe if you want to assess the nutritional value of your bake.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn's fine wholegrain oat flakes are an option if you're looking for loose flakes to use in baking recipes.
- For the variant reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g and suggests using it in muffins and banana bread, among other things.
- The product information lists oats and possible traces of barley, rye and wheat. Check the pack if you need to choose a gluten-free product.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain oat flakes, among other options, for recipes where you don't want to use coarse flakes.
- Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for its 500 g pack of fine wholegrain flakes.
- For the regular variant reviewed, Jumbo notes possible traces of barley, rye and wheat. Check the exact pack.
Quaker
Quaker offers both regular wholegrain porridge oats and Oats Express Naturel for anyone who wants pre-measured portions.
- The product information reviewed lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for both variants; Quaker suggests using its regular porridge oats in baked treats.
- A portion pack won't necessarily contain the amount you need or have the texture your recipe calls for. Also read the allergen information on the pack you choose.
Brinta
Brinta describes its porridge oats as extra-fine oat flakes, which is worth bearing in mind if you're looking for an alternative to coarse flakes.
- According to the product information, Brinta Porridge Oats are made from 100% oat flakes.
- The fibre value for a prepared serving with milk isn't directly comparable with values per 100 g of dry product. The product information also notes possible traces of wheat and rye.
GOLDEN BRIDGE
GOLDEN BRIDGE offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats; choose the texture to suit your recipe.
- ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- For a comparison of fibre, ingredients and allergens, read the nutrition information on the pack.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 500 g pack of oat flakes that you can compare with other oat options.
- The pack size makes it possible to check in advance whether there's enough for your recipe.
- Compare fibre, ingredients and allergens using the nutrition information on the exact pack.
Oat products on Joybuy
These products show three ways to choose oats for home baking: regular porridge oats, extra-fine flakes and an instant option. If you're trying a new baking recipe, check the amount and texture it calls for.
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Quaker Porridge Oats 600 g
A loose oat base if you'd like to weigh out the amount you need for your baking recipe.
According to Jumbo's product information, Quaker Porridge Oats 600 g contains 100% wholegrain oats and 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
If you need to choose a gluten-free product, check the exact pack; the product information notes possible traces of barley and wheat.
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Brinta Porridge Oats 450 g
Worth considering if you're looking for extra-fine oat flakes for a baking recipe.
Brinta describes these porridge oats as extra fine. When using them in a new recipe, first try them out to see whether the texture and amount of liquid work well.
If you need to choose a gluten-free product, check the exact pack; the product information notes possible traces of wheat and rye.
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Quaker Express Porridge Oats 324 g
An instant option to consider if you want to use pre-measured portions.
Before baking, check how many portions your recipe calls for and whether the contents will give you the texture you want.
If you need to choose a gluten-free product, read the information on the exact pack rather than assuming that oats as an ingredient are suitable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the fibre in porridge oats for a baking recipe?
Compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition information for the exact products. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list 10 g per 100 g for the fine wholegrain flakes reviewed; the regular Quaker porridge oats reviewed list 9 g per 100 g. Also assess the nutritional value of your finished bake by considering the other ingredients.
Can I use instant porridge oats instead of regular porridge oats for baking?
You can try them in a recipe, but don't assume you'll need the same amount or get the same texture. Check how much each portion contains and adjust the amount of liquid or the resting time if needed. Quaker, Albert Heijn and Jumbo suggest using their regular and fine flakes in baking; that doesn't mean every instant variant will give the same result.
Are regular porridge oats automatically suitable for gluten-free baking?
No. If you need to choose a gluten-free product, don't rely on oats as an ingredient alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. Check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol; the Dutch Coeliac Society provides information about the symbol.
What does the fibre content of oats tell me about my finished bake?
The fibre content of the oats describes that ingredient only, not the nutritional value of the finished bake. If you want to compare recipes, also consider the amounts used and the other ingredients, including sugars and fats.