Home baker looking to control the texture
You want to add wholegrain oats to bread and are choosing between fine and jumbo oats based on how visible you want the oat pieces to be. Check which type your recipe calls for.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Baker who wants to check the ingredients
You’re looking for wholegrain oats to use in bread and want to check the pack for the ingredients and nutritional information for your chosen variety.
Baker who needs to prepare gluten-free food
You can’t assume ordinary oats are gluten-free based on the name alone. Check for an explicit gluten-free label and prevent cross-contamination while baking.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what role the oats play in your bread recipe. The texture you want, the ingredients and whether you need to bake gluten-free will determine what to check on the pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flake size | Check whether the pack says fine or jumbo oats, and whether that type is specified in your recipe. | If I don’t want the oat pieces to be too visible, I look for fine oats; for clearly visible flakes, I look for a jumbo variety. Around 44% of consumers prioritise the texture they want in their bread. |
| Wholegrain ingredients | Look for wholegrain oats on the ingredients list and compare the other ingredients if needed. | When I add oats to my bread, I want to know whether my chosen variety is actually made from wholegrain oats. For around 33% of consumers, the ingredients are the main consideration. |
| Gluten-free baking | Check for an explicit gluten-free label and choose a suitable gluten-free bread recipe. | If gluten needs to be avoided, I need oats clearly labelled gluten-free and must prevent cross-contamination while baking. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when baking bread with oats
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Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. A wholegrain label therefore says nothing about whether a product is gluten-free.
For gluten-free baking, choose oats explicitly labelled gluten-free and prevent cross-contamination from ingredients, work surfaces and baking equipment.
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Replacing bread flour with oats without adapting the recipe
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, gluten helps dough rise and gives it structure. Simply replacing bread flour with oats won’t automatically preserve these properties.
Use a bread recipe that specifically includes your chosen type of oats. For gluten-free bread, choose a recipe designed entirely around gluten-free ingredients.
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Going by the word ‘wholegrain’ alone
Fine and jumbo oats have different starting textures, while a wholegrain label alone doesn’t tell you about other ingredients or allergens.
Check the current packaging for the type of oats, ingredients and allergens. If you need to bake gluten-free, check for a gluten-free label separately.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists fine and jumbo wholegrain oats as separate products and also offers a wholegrain variety explicitly labelled gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient in its fine variety.
- Check the type of oats, ingredients and allergens on each pack; the standard and gluten-free varieties are not interchangeable.
Quaker
Quaker describes Oatmeal Original as a variety made with wholegrain oats.
- According to Quaker, Oatmeal Original is made from 100% wholegrain oats.
- The product information says this standard variety may contain barley and wheat; don’t treat it as gluten-free.
Zonnatura
The Zonnatura variety described is made from fine wholegrain oats grown organically.
- The ingredients list includes wholegrain oats.
- Check the current allergen information on the pack before choosing this variety for a specific recipe.
Oat products on Joybuy
These Quaker oat products may suit you if you want to add oats to a bread recipe. Before buying, check that the ingredients, type of oats and allergen information work for your recipe.
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Quaker oats, 600 g
For a bread recipe that uses oats as an ingredient. Check that the type of oats suits the recipe, and read the allergen information before considering this variety for gluten-free baking.
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Quaker oats, 375 g
For anyone wanting to use oats in a recipe that specifically calls for them. Match the type of oats to the recipe, and if you’re baking gluten-free, always check the pack for a gluten-free label and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ordinary oats to bake bread?
Yes, oats can be an ingredient in bread if the recipe says to use them. Use the type of oats specified, and don’t simply replace bread flour with the same amount of oats.
Which should I choose for bread: fine or jumbo wholegrain oats?
Choose the type specified in your recipe. Fine oats are a good starting point if you want less coarse oat pieces; jumbo oats suit you if you want to use larger flakes. The result also depends on the recipe.
Are ordinary wholegrain oats suitable for gluten-free bread?
Not based on the wholegrain label alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. For gluten-free bread, use oats explicitly labelled gluten-free, check the other ingredients too, and prevent cross-contamination while baking.