Households that often bake with oats
If you regularly make cakes, muffins or tart cases, you can use a larger pack of plain porridge oats and weigh out the amount you need for each recipe.
Which pack is right for you?
Bakers who also want measured portions
If you use oats for a quick bowl of porridge as well as for baking, sachets can be practical. Just check that the amount and product format suit your baking recipe.
Bakers who need gluten-free oats
If you need to eat gluten-free, ordinary porridge oats may not be suitable. The labelling on the pack and the allergen information are key when choosing.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the type of oats your recipe calls for. Then choose a pack size that suits how often you bake, and consider any dietary requirements separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Check the net weight and decide whether you’ll use the pack for the baking recipes you have planned. | If I bake often, I want to have enough oats in the cupboard without opening individual portions each time. Around 42% of consumers prioritise pack size. |
| Format and ingredients | Compare the type of oats specified in the recipe with the product description, and read the ingredients list. | If a recipe calls for fine oats or oat flour, I don’t want to assume that all porridge oats are the same. For around 33% of consumers, choosing a product that suits the recipe is the main priority. |
| Portion convenience | Check the number of sachets and the weight per sachet if you also want to use the oats outside of baking. | If I only bake occasionally and also make quick porridge, measured portions are handy. Around 17% of consumers prioritise portion convenience. |
| Gluten-free suitability | Read the current gluten-free labelling, ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack. | If I need gluten-free oats, I need to be able to tell from the pack whether the product is suitable. For around 8% of consumers, this check matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oats are suitable for a gluten-free diet
The Quaker pack reviewed states that it may contain barley and wheat; Brinta lists the possible presence of wheat and rye. Ordinary oats without appropriate gluten-free labelling are therefore not an obvious choice if you need to eat gluten-free.
Before buying, check the current pack for gluten-free labelling and allergen information, and look for any required certification if it applies to you.
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Using a flavoured breakfast product as a plain oat base
Extra ingredients may not match what a recipe calls for, especially if you’re adding your own flavourings and other ingredients.
Read the full ingredients list and choose a product made from oats alone when the recipe calls for plain porridge oats.
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Not checking the oat format against the recipe
Fine oats, regular porridge oats and ground oats are different product formats. The format alone doesn’t tell you how to convert quantities or guarantee a predictable result in every cake.
Check whether the recipe calls for porridge oats, fine oats or oat flour, and choose your product accordingly.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different pack sizes or types of oats. Always check the specific product and its label rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Quaker
Quaker offers both a 600 g pack of plain oats and Oats Express, with 12 portions of 27 g.
- The 600 g pack reviewed is labelled as 100% wholegrain porridge oats with no added sugars.
- The 600 g pack states that it may contain wheat and barley. Check this if you have a relevant allergy or need a gluten-free option.
Brinta
Brinta describes its oat flakes as extra fine, so check how this compares with the format your recipe calls for.
- The 450 g pack reviewed lists 100% oat flakes as its ingredient.
- According to the product information, this pack may contain wheat and rye.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 1 kg pack, which may suit you if you often weigh out quantities for baking.
- The 1 kg pack contains more oats in one bag than the portion packs discussed here.
- Before buying, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack’s label.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats in 500 g packs. The format matters, depending on what your recipe calls for.
- You can choose the fine or coarse option to suit the type of oats you need.
- Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the option you choose.
Elovena
Elovena Natural instant oatmeal is labelled gluten-free and comes in five 40 g portions.
- The gluten-free labelling and portion size are useful points to compare with your requirements and recipe.
- Check the current pack and the labelling you need before choosing this option for a gluten-free diet.
Porridge oat packs at Joybuy
These two Quaker packs are options if you want plain porridge oats to weigh out for baking. Check how much you need and whether the oat format suits your recipe; portion sachets aren’t shown here.
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Quaker porridge oats 600 g
For anyone who regularly weighs out oats for cakes or tarts. This pack contains 600 g; this variant is labelled as 100% wholegrain porridge oats and may contain wheat and barley. Check that the oat format suits your recipe, and read the current label if you have dietary requirements.
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Quaker porridge oats 375 g
For anyone looking for a 375 g pack of porridge oats to weigh out for baking. Compare the type of oats you need with your recipe, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use porridge oats in cakes or tarts?
Yes. The Voedingscentrum lists porridge oats as an ingredient in baked goods. Use the format specified in your recipe, and check the ingredients if you want a plain oat base.
Are instant oats better for cake batter?
Not necessarily: an instant format or portion sachet doesn’t, by itself, determine how your cake will turn out. Choose according to the type of oats your recipe calls for, and check the ingredients of an instant product too.
Can I use regular porridge oats if I need to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume they’re suitable without checking. Read the gluten-free labelling and allergen information on the current pack. The regular Quaker and Brinta variants discussed here may contain other cereals that contain gluten.
Which allergen information should I check before baking?
Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the specific pack, especially if wheat, barley or rye are relevant to you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
How should I store an opened pack of porridge oats?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. The Quaker pack reviewed recommends storing it in a cool, dry place; seal the pack securely after use.