A Note on the Evaluation of Wheaten Breads Containing Oat Flour or Oat Flakes

The effect of inclusion of oat fractions on bread quality was evaluated. An oat flour inclusion of about 10% (as a partial replacement for the soft white flour) proved optimum for brown soda breads and enhanced crust colour and crumb softness. In yeasted white breads, an oat flake inclusion rate of 5% (in addition to the wheaten flour) was optimum and gave bread with an enhanced loaf volume and a softer, creamier crumb in the presence of added gluten. In the absence of added gluten, the addition of oat flakes caused crumb hardening and a reduction in loaf volume in yeasted white breads.