Barbecue planners stocking up
You want to use one pack for several dishes, so you’ll need to consider the quantity, type of flakes and how to store the pack after opening.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Vegetarian barbecue burger cooks
You’re looking for oats that work in a savoury recipe. The Voedingscentrum uses porridge oats with black beans and herbs in a burger recipe.
Shoppers looking for a quick option or a gluten-free choice
You want portions that are quick to prepare, or you need to choose a suitable oat product carefully if you have coeliac disease. According to the Voedingscentrum, the packaging needs to carry the official Crossed Grain certification mark.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mainly need the oats for a savoury recipe, repeated use or a quick breakfast. If you have coeliac disease, checking for the certification mark takes priority over these preferences.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is it mainly for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and stocking up | Choose a quantity you expect to use and can store in a well-sealed pack after opening. | I want to use porridge oats more than once during and after the preparations, without leaving an opened pack unused for too long. Around 33% of consumers prioritise stocking up. |
| Using them in a burger | Read the ingredients list and choose a type of flake that suits the quantity and method in your recipe. | For a savoury bean burger, I want the oats to work with the other ingredients. For around 27% of consumers, how well they work in the recipe is the main consideration. |
| Quick preparation | Compare the portion sizes and preparation instructions for the specific product. | If I need breakfast to be ready while I’m preparing for the barbecue, measured portions matter more to me than a large pack. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quick preparation. |
| Suitable for coeliac disease | Check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain certification mark, and read the allergen information too. | If I have coeliac disease, I need to be able to confirm that this particular pack is suitable. For around 20% of consumers, this dietary check comes first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming regular oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten. The word ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t mean an oat product is suitable for coeliac disease.
Check the pack you’re buying for the official Crossed Grain certification mark.
-
Choosing a flavoured or protein variety for a savoury burger
A flavoured or enhanced variety may contain ingredients or allergens that don’t suit your recipe. For example, Quaker lists milk powder and soya protein in its Pots Protein Naturel.
For a savoury recipe, start with the type of oats it calls for, then read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
-
Not storing an opened pack properly
Moisture and a poorly sealed pack can affect the quality of porridge oats while they’re being stored.
According to the Voedingscentrum, store an opened pack in a cool, dry, dark place and keep it well sealed.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats, including a 1 kg pack of fine flakes.
- The choice of flake types and pack sizes lets you find an option to suit your recipe and how much you plan to use.
- Check the current pack for the type of flakes and ingredients in each product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells its own 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats, as well as Quaker products.
- AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken lists wholegrain oat flakes as its ingredient.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging, as product information may change.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is ALDI’s porridge oats range, which includes a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain oats.
- The description ‘fine wholegrain porridge oats’ helps you choose the type of flakes you want.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before choosing these oats for a recipe or dietary need.
Lidl
Lidl sells a 500 g pack of coarse oat flakes.
- Coarse flakes give you a clear option for choosing a type to suit your recipe.
- Follow the preparation instructions and check the ingredients on the specific pack.
Quaker
Quaker sells plain porridge oats and Express products in single-portion packs.
- Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express naturel as containing 12 single-portion packs, which could suit a measured breakfast.
- Check the flavour, ingredients and preparation instructions for each variety before using it in a savoury recipe too.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is available at Jumbo, among other retailers, in a 450 g pack.
- The pack size is clearly stated, making it easier to plan how much porridge oats you’ll need.
- Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the specific variety.
Porridge oats and portions at Joybuy
This selection includes branded porridge oats in different pack sizes, as well as Express portions for a quick breakfast. If you’re looking for oats for a savoury burger, compare the ingredients of the specific variety. If you have coeliac disease, check the pack for the official Crossed Grain certification mark.
Image unavailable
Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
Worth considering if you want to use porridge oats for more than one dish. For a savoury recipe, read the ingredients on the pack.
Image unavailable
Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
A 500 g pack for anyone who wants to use porridge oats in several dishes. Check the label for the ingredients and preparation method for this variety.
Image unavailable
Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
The 600 g pack is suited to planned, repeated use. For a bean burger, check the recipe and label to see if this variety is suitable.
Image unavailable
Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
This 375 g pack is smaller than the 600 g Quaker pack shown here. Joybuy lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in the 375 g variety and states that the product may contain barley and wheat.
Image unavailable
Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For a quick breakfast while you’re getting ready: Joybuy describes this 324 g pack as containing 12 portions, each ready in 2 minutes according to the product information. Follow the instructions on the pack and check the ingredients if you want to use it in a savoury recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular porridge oats in a vegetarian barbecue burger?
Yes, if your recipe calls for porridge oats. The Voedingscentrum uses 3 tablespoons of porridge oats alongside beans and herbs in a black bean burger. Follow the quantities and method in your chosen recipe, and check the ingredients in the oats.
Which porridge oats should I choose if I have coeliac disease?
According to the Voedingscentrum, if you have coeliac disease, choose only an oat product with the official Crossed Grain certification mark on the packaging. Oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing, so check the mark on the pack you’re actually buying.
How should I store an opened pack of porridge oats?
Store opened porridge oats in a cool, dry, dark place and keep the pack well sealed. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing an opened pack in a kitchen cupboard for up to one year. Also check the instructions on the packaging and inspect the product before use.
Can protein and flavoured varieties also be used in a savoury burger?
Not necessarily: check the ingredients of the specific variety against your recipe. Quaker lists milk powder and soya protein among the ingredients in Pots Protein Naturel, and states that this variety may contain barley and wheat.