If you want to control the flavour of your Christmas baking, choose plain wholegrain oats with oats as the only ingredient. Instant varieties are worth considering if you also want to use them for a quick breakfast; check that any added ingredients and the texture suit your baking recipe. If your bake needs to be gluten-free, check the specific product’s gluten-free labelling, certification and up-to-date allergen information.
If you’re making biscuits, bars, muffins or a base with oats, a plain option gives you the freedom to choose the ingredients in your recipe. Voedingscentrum lists oats as an ingredient for baked goods; just check which form of oats your recipe calls for.
If you want to use the same oats for baking and breakfast, you could compare regular oats with instant portions. Pay extra attention to the ingredients in flavoured varieties: according to Quaker, Quaker Oats Express Cinnamon also contains sugar and natural flavourings.
Regular wholegrain oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. Voedingscentrum notes that oats may be contaminated with gluten and identifies the Crossed Grain trademark as an important indication; check the packaging of the specific product.
First, check what your baking recipe calls for and whether gluten-free is essential. Then compare the ingredients and choose a pack size that suits how often you use oats.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Plain base | Read the ingredients list and compare sugars per 100 g. Quaker lists only wholegrain oats as an ingredient in its Original variety; the Express Cinnamon variety also contains sugar and flavourings. | I want to decide for myself what goes into my biscuits or muffins. For around 31% of consumers, having control over the base is the priority. |
| Preparation and texture | Check whether your recipe calls for rolled or ground oats. If you’re choosing an instant product, check its ingredients and the form of the oats separately. | If I also want a quick breakfast during the festive season, I need to know whether my choice is convenient without losing sight of my baking recipe. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the gluten-free labelling, certification and allergen information on the current packaging. If you choose a variety with added ingredients, check those too. | If I need a gluten-free option, I must be able to assess the product before baking with it. This product information is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a net weight that suits your recipes and read the storage and best-before information on the packaging. | If I bake with oats several times, I want to have enough in the cupboard without forgetting about an opened pack. Around 15% of consumers prioritise quantity. |
A flavoured variety may already contain ingredients that change the balance of your recipe. Quaker says Oats Express Cinnamon contains sugar and natural flavourings as well as wholegrain oats.
Read the ingredients list before using an instant variety instead of regular oats, especially if you want to control the sweetness and flavour of your bake.
Voedingscentrum warns that oats may be contaminated with gluten. Some regular oat products also state that they may contain wheat or barley.
If you need a gluten-free option, check the labelling, certification and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
The range includes both plain oats and flavoured Express varieties, with different ingredients in each.
Jumbo’s fine wholegrain oat flakes are an example of regular oats for recipes that call for fine flakes.
AH offers several types of wholegrain oats, including a gluten-free-labelled variety and a separate protein variety.
ALDI lists Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Oats in a 500 g pack.
These products include a Quaker Express variety and two pack sizes of Quaker oats. For Christmas baking, don’t choose on name or pack size alone: check that the ingredients and form of the oats suit your recipe.
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Consider this Express variety if you’re also looking for oats for a quick breakfast. For Christmas baking, check that the ingredients and form of the oats suit your recipe; if you have allergies, read the current packaging.
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If you’re looking for a plain oat base for several bakes, the product information for this Quaker pack lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient. It may contain barley and wheat. Check which flake size or degree of milling your recipe calls for, and if you need a gluten-free option, check the packaging and certification.
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This pack size may suit you if you need oats for fewer bakes. Before use, check the ingredients, allergens and form of the oats on the packaging; the product name alone won’t tell you whether this variety is suitable for a particular recipe or a gluten-free diet.
Yes, oats can be used as an ingredient in baked goods, as Voedingscentrum explains. Just follow the form specified in your recipe: for example, a Lidl recipe first grinds the oats finely.
An instant variety can be convenient for a quick breakfast; Quaker says Oats Express Cinnamon takes two minutes to prepare. For baking, check separately that the ingredients and texture of the oats suit your recipe.
Don’t assume that regular oats are automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Voedingscentrum notes that oats may be contaminated with gluten and identifies oats bearing the official Crossed Grain trademark as an exception; also check the latest allergen information.
Store the oats according to the instructions on the packaging and seal the pack securely after use. Jumbo recommends storing its fine wholegrain oats in a cool, dry place; also check the best-before date on the product you buy.
