They’re sweet, savoury and everything in between
The average Finn consumes nearly ten kilograms of oats each year. Oats’ incredible versatility makes them the ultimate culinary chameleon, equally at home in sweet treats and savoury dishes. Classic Finnish oat foods include porridge, hearty breads, biscuits, flaky pies and pancakes.
Refined oat products also offer sweet and savoury options to satisfy every taste. Finnish shop shelves are stocked with oat crisps, liquorice, pasta and meat-like oat protein products, among others. There are also numerous oat-based dairy alternatives such as oat drinks, ice cream and yoghurts, as well as cheese substitutes.
They bring comfort
Eating oats is inherently nostalgic. Starting your morning with oat porridge is a tradition passed down through generations. Breakfast porridge is comfort food at its finest, bringing familiarity to daily life and evoking childhood memories. The numbers back this up: the National Porridge Survey commissioned by Raisio Group in 2019 showed that nearly every other Finn eats porridge on weekday mornings.
Finns enjoy their morning porridge in countless ways, but nearly every approach shares two things: simplicity and letting the oats shine. To enjoy your porridge like a Finn, just add a pat of butter, a drizzle of milk or a handful of berries. Finnish tradition doesn’t believe in drowning porridge in sweetness – perfect balance comes from respecting the ingredient itself.
They’re healthy
In Finland, oats are usually eaten as wholegrain, meaning they contain all the nutrient-rich parts of the grain. Beta-glucan, the water-soluble dietary fibre found in oats, has been proven through research to lower cholesterol levels. Oats are high in fibre, which promotes intestinal health and supports beneficial gut bacteria.
Additionally, they are a good source of antioxidants and selenium, which plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy immune system and helping the body fight off infections – in short, a true superfood.
They are a source of constant innovation
Finland ranks as the world’s second-largest oat exporter (after Canada) and produces 13% of all European oats. The country is also a world leader in oat research and product development.
Meat substitutes and plant-based proteins are among the fastest-growing categories in the food industry, and Finnish companies like Raisio, Valio and Fazer have been at the forefront of this trend for several years.
In addition to creating entirely new products, Finnish oat innovators have also focused on developing gluten-free and allergen-friendly options, offering alternatives for people with various dietary restrictions and allergies.
They’re yummy
Every Finn learns to make these simple crispy oat cookies in secondary school home economics classes. You’ll need:
- 4 dl (1.7 cups) rolled oats
- 2 dl (0.85 cups) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar
- 2 tbsp wheat flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 100 g (3.5 oz) butter (melted and cooled)
- 2 eggs
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add butter and stir. Add eggs and mix until combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop the dough onto it in small spoonfuls (about 2/3 tbsp each). Place 9 – 12 per sheet, leaving plenty of room for spreading. Bake for 6 – 7 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely, the cookies will crisp up as they cool.
Text: Veera Kaukoniemi, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
Illustration: Hilla Ruuskanen
