• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Yummy Bowl
  • Browse by Category
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • One-Pot Meals
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Kid Friendly Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Pasta
    • Sandwiches & Wraps
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Cooking Tips and Ideas
    • Popular Recipes
  • Browse by Season
    • Fall
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Winter
  • Browse by Protein
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Fish
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Cooking 101
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
The Yummy Bowl » Cooking Tips and Ideas » Gluten Free Diet

Oats Debunked: Are Oats and Oat Flour Gluten Free?

Oct 9, 2023 · Last updated: May 4, 2024 by Julia · 1 Comment · this post may contain affiliate links

oats.

Whether oats are gluten-free or not depends on a few factors. Pure oats are naturally gluten-free although these can also become unsafe to consume if in contact with gluten-containing foods and ingredients. 

oats on a spoon.

Are oats gluten-free? Is oat flour gluten-free? To answer this, I will go in-depth about a variety of oats available and how to navigate potential cross-contamination by knowing which brands are safest to purchase from. 

Is Oat Flour Gluten Free?

Technically, yes. Since oat flour is a derivative of pure oats, it is gluten-free. This, however, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t contain other ingredients that may contain gluten. The product could also have been stored in a facility with other gluten-based products and ingredients. 

Make your own oat flour from home or purchase a certified gluten-free oat flour from the grocery store.  

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Yummy Bowl.

The Different Types Of Oats

Rolled Oats

Rolled oats are made from whole oat groats that have been dehusked, steamed, rolled flat, and then toasted. They are considered to be lightly processed. 

Steel-Cut Oats

Steel cut oats are made from whole oats that are chopped into 2-3 small pieces. They can be sold as is or further processed to be flattened. 

Whole-Grain Oats

Whole-grain oats are known as oat groats. They are simply grain kernels that have been cleaned with their inedible hulls removed. 

Instant Oats

Instant oats are also known as quick oats. They are pre-cooked, dried, rolled, and pressed. They are typically thinner than rolled oats and cook faster rolled oats or steel-cut oats. 

Are Gluten Free Oats Safe For Celiac Disease?

I highly recommend purchasing from brands that specifically market their oats as “certified gluten-free”. While these brands will add a premium cost to their products, they do so because they have to ensure strict processes within their manufacturing and storage facilities to ensure zero cross-contamination. These companies are regulated by law and can be sued for any infringements. 

According to FDA, certified gluten-free products must contain less than 20 ppm of gluten (parts per million). 

How To Tell Which Brands Of Oats Are Gluten-Free?

Brands specifically marketing to gluten-free buyers will add this to their packaging. That said, it’s best to stick with those advertising “certified gluten-free” for complete peace of mind!

Always do your research and don’t blindly rely on blog post roundups. Reputable brands will provide their information on their websites for you to check, and if they don’t, skip them!

Cross-Contamination-What You Need To Know

Gluten contamination can occur during the processing of oats as well as the packaging and storing of the oats. Here are three main ways in which cross-contamination can occur, making oats potentially unsafe to consume for those with food allergies.

Storage And Manufacturing

Some facilities and warehouses that store regular oats also store other types of foods (including wheat products) and ingredients that contain gluten. While certain operating and storage protocols may be in place in a manufacturing facility, there’s always a risk of cross-contamination where oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains and foods. 

If in doubt, read up on the websites of brands to understand how they store their oats and only purchase from those who are certified gluten-free, especially if you or a loved one are celiac patients. 

Boxed Breakfast Cereals

There are a variety of boxed breakfast cereals that contain a mixture of oats and other ingredients. While the oats themselves are gluten-free, they are in contact with other cereal ingredients which could include gluten-containing ingredients. 

Never assume that a boxed breakfast cereal is gluten-free merely because it contains oats. Check the list of ingredients on the packaging. Even colorants and food additives can contain gluten or trigger allergies. 

Added Recipe Ingredients To Avoid

When making treats or breakfast foods at home with oats and following recipes, scan the recipe for other ingredients called for to see whether these additional ingredients are gluten-based. 

If any of the ingredients contain gluten, either omit them (if it won’t affect the final product) or use an appropriate substitute. 

For example, if you make oat breakfast cookies and the recipe calls for all-purpose flour or wheat flour, use certified gluten-free flour instead, such as Bob's Red Mill or Schar. These small recipe adaptations will help you stay clear of unnecessary health complications from the presence of gluten. 

a stack of healthy oatmeal breakfast cookies
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Gluten Free Recipes Using Oats

  • Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies With Chocolate Chips
  • Healthy Gluten Free Almond Granola Recipe
  • Cranberry Overnight Oats

Recap

While pure oats are gluten-free, you now know that there are various factors that can easily change this, largely as a result of cross-contamination and additional ingredients added to packaged food products. 

Always read the food labels of packaged foods, select certified gluten-free oats where possible, and be mindful to store your oats in separate containers at home, away from other gluten-containing products and pantry ingredients that may contain gluten!

If you suspect that you have a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance, be sure to contact a health professional who can administer a blood test to determine whether you have a celiac autoimmune disorder or gluten sensitivity. 

Did You Like This Recipe?

Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

« 7 Best Gluten Free Oatmeal Alternatives
Buttery Lemon Garlic Green Beans  »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia | The Yummy Bowl

    October 14, 2023 at 1:17 pm

    What are your favorite gluten free oats/oat flour brands?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

the yummy bowl julia author

I'm Julia and welcome to The Yummy Bowl. I share easy and healthier recipes for busy people. Whether you're craving something deliciously healthy or a bit indulgent, you'll discover a variety of satisfying and comforting dishes here.

Readers Favorites

  • oatmeal cookies.
    No Sugar Added Healthy Breakfast Cookies (With Dried Fruit and Nuts)
  • a stack of banana oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips
    Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
  • slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs
    Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (Slow Cooker)
  • cabbage roll casserole with cheese.
    Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole (with Ground Beef)
  • marinated cucumber tomato onion salad.
    Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad (5 Minutes To Assemble)
  • roasted asparagus with cheese and tomatoes.
    Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan (And Tomatoes)

Connect With Me

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Footer

↑ back to top

About

Contact

Services

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms & Conditions

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

Youtube

Copyright © 2021 The Yummy Bowl