Who is this choice relevant to?

Stocking up for a BBQ weekend

You use oats for several breakfasts or baking, and want a pack you can keep using and store properly after the weekend.

Planning a quick breakfast

You want to make porridge quickly before a busy day or use oats in a recipe. In that case, the type of flakes matters more than choosing the biggest pack.

Choosing oats for a strict gluten-free diet

You need a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association also recommends looking for the Crossed Grain Trademark when checking labels. Ordinary oats with a warning about other cereals aren’t automatically a suitable alternative.

What should you look for when choosing?

Oats are most useful around a BBQ weekend for breakfast and baking. Work out how much you’ll actually use and can store, then check the type of flakes and, if you need to, the gluten-free labelling on the pack.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Pack size and supplies Check the net weight and think about how often you use oats. If I eat oats or bake with them after the BBQ weekend, I don’t want to have to buy another pack straight away. Having enough in stock is the top priority for roughly 36% of consumers.
Storage after opening Check the best-before date and store the oats in a well-sealed pack or storage container, in a cool, dry, dark place. A large pack only makes sense to me if I can seal it properly after opening, so the oats don’t go stale or soft. Around 29% of consumers give storage the highest priority.
Gluten-free labelling Check the current gluten-free labelling, any certification and the allergen information. If I follow a strict gluten-free diet, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For around 21% of consumers, clear gluten-free information is the first requirement.
Type of flakes and preparation Compare fine and coarse flakes, and read the preparation instructions for the dish you want to make. If breakfast needs to be ready quickly or I’m using oats in a recipe, I first choose the type of flakes that suits the task. Quick preparation or use in recipes is the top priority for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a large pack without somewhere suitable to store it

    Even when you’re stocking up, proper storage is important. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can go stale or soft if they aren’t stored properly.

    After opening, store oats in a cool, dry, dark place and keep them well sealed, for example in a suitable storage container.

  • Assuming all oats are gluten-free

    Ordinary oat products may carry warnings about other cereals containing gluten. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, you need to check the label carefully when choosing oats for a strict gluten-free diet.

    Check the current packaging for gluten-free labelling, any Crossed Grain Trademark and the allergen information.

  • Confusing BBQ supplies with food for the grill

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack, or used as an ingredient in dishes and baking. Stocking up on oats won’t replace the ingredients you need for your grilled dishes.

    Plan to use oats for breakfast or baking around your barbecue, and choose ingredients for grilled dishes separately.

Brands to compare

The packs listed here differ mainly in size, type of flakes and allergen information. Always check the label of the variant you choose when you buy.

Brinta

Brinta Oats, 450 g, is an option with extra-fine flakes if quick preparation is important to you.

  • Albert Heijn describes the flakes as extra fine and quick to prepare.
  • The product information states that the oats may contain wheat and rye, so don’t treat this variant as gluten-free.

Quaker

The Quaker Oats value pack reviewed contains 600 g, divided into 15 stated servings.

  • The product information describes this variant as 100% wholegrain oats.
  • According to the product information, this variant may contain wheat and barley.

Albert Heijn

AH Wholegrain Oats, Fine Flakes is a 500 g own-brand pack for anyone looking for fine flakes.

  • For this variant, Albert Heijn gives preparation instructions using 40 g of oats per 250 ml of water or milk.
  • The allergen information lists possible traces of barley, spelt, rye and wheat, so this variant isn’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells wholegrain oats in 500 g and 1 kg packs; the larger size is suited to regular use.

  • For the 1 kg variant, Jumbo lists 25 servings and 100% wholegrain oats.
  • The 1 kg variant doesn’t come in a tin. The product information lists possible traces of barley, rye and wheat.

Lidl

Lidl lists 500 g packs of coarse oat flakes for breakfast or as a snack.

  • The product description suggests serving them with milk, yoghurt or quark.
  • If ingredients or allergens are important to your purchase, check the information on the pack.

Aldi

The Golden Bridge range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oats.

  • The range information lists both types of flakes in 500 g packs.
  • Check the size of the pack you choose: the stated pack size differed between the range information and a product page title.

Oats at Joybuy

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a tin for a larger pack of oats?

No, a tin isn’t essential. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, keep opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place and well sealed. A storage container with a tight-fitting lid is one option.

How should I store opened oats?

Store opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place and keep them well sealed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives one year in a kitchen cupboard as the storage period for opened oats. Before using them, also check for a stale smell or soft texture.

Are ordinary oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Not automatically: ordinary oat products may contain other cereals that contain gluten. When choosing oats for a strict gluten-free diet, the Dutch Coeliac Association recommends checking the current label for gluten-free labelling and looking for the Crossed Grain Trademark.

Where can I find allergen information on a pack of oats?

Check the ingredients list and look out for any statements about possible traces of other cereals. The European Commission says that allergens in pre-packed foods must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list. It also includes oats among the cereals that are considered gluten-containing cereals for this labelling requirement.

How can I use oats during a BBQ weekend?

Oats are best suited to breakfast or as an ingredient in baking and other dishes, rather than as a substitute for food you put on the grill. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests eating them as a snack.