What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's oat beverage?

November 27, 2025 •

2 min read

Did you know the ingredients in Trader Joe's oat beverage differ significantly between its original and flavored varieties? The base of water and hydrolyzed oats is a constant, but a closer look reveals specific additions for each product, from thickeners and oils to added fortification.

Quick Summary

This article details the specific ingredients across different Trader Joe's oat beverage varieties, including the base, fortifying nutrients, oils, and added flavorings and stabilizers.

Key Points

Base Ingredients: All Trader Joe's oat beverages contain water and hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed oats, which provides natural sweetness and a creamy texture.
Added Sugars: The Original variety contains no added sugars, relying on the hydrolysis process for sweetness, while flavored versions like Maple and Pumpkin include cane sugar.
Stabilizers are Common: Gellan gum and xanthan gum are used in most varieties to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, uniform consistency.
Oils Vary by Flavor: Different versions use different oils; the Original uses sunflower oil, while the Unsweetened Vanilla can contain sunflower, canola, and/or palm oil.
Vitamin Fortification: Most varieties are fortified with vitamins and minerals like Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D2, and Vitamin B12, essential for a balanced diet.
Unsweetened Vanilla Specifics: This flavor uses partially hydrolyzed oats and a vegetable oil blend, resulting in zero grams of total and added sugar per serving.

A Closer Look at the Base Ingredients

All Trader Joe's oat beverages are made with water and oats. The oats undergo hydrolysis, a process using enzymes to break down starches, creating a creamy texture and releasing natural sugars for a slightly sweet flavor in the plain versions.

The Original Non-Dairy Oat Beverage

The shelf-stable Original Non-Dairy Oat Beverage includes water and hydrolyzed oats, sunflower oil, and is fortified with calcium carbonate, tricalcium phosphate, Vitamin A, Vitamin D2, Riboflavin (B2), and Vitamin B12. Gellan gum and xanthan gum are used as stabilizers, and it contains citric acid and sea salt.

Unsweetened Vanilla Non-Dairy Oat Beverage

The Unsweetened Vanilla variety contains an oat base from partially hydrolyzed oats with no added sugar. It also includes a vegetable oil blend (sunflower, canola, and/or palm), natural vanilla flavors, sunflower lecithin, vitamin fortification, gellan gum, xanthan gum, and citric acid.

Specialty and Seasonal Flavors

Trader Joe's also offers specialty flavors. The Maple Oat Beverage contains cane sugar, natural flavors, and sunflower oil. The Pumpkin Oat Beverage includes an oat base, cane sugar, canola oil, pumpkin puree, natural flavors, and annatto extract.

For a detailed comparison of ingredients across several Trader Joe's oat beverage varieties, including Original, Unsweetened Vanilla, Maple Flavor, and Pumpkin Flavor, please refer to the table provided on {Link: glueandglitter.com https://www.glueandglitter.com/trader-joes-oat-milk/}. The table outlines ingredients such as water/oat base, hydrolyzed oats, added sugar, oil, natural flavors, fortification blend, thickeners, emulsifiers, and additives.

Why Ingredient Variations Matter

Ingredient variations are important for consumers to consider based on their dietary needs. The Unsweetened Vanilla is suitable for those avoiding added sugar. Different oils are used across varieties, and fortification levels also differ, impacting those who rely on oat milk for specific vitamins like D and B12.

The Role of Stabilizers and Fortification

Stabilizers like gellan gum and xanthan gum are plant-based additives used to maintain consistency and prevent separation. Fortification includes nutrients such as calcium carbonate and tricalcium phosphate for calcium, Vitamin D2 for calcium absorption, and Riboflavin and Vitamin B12.

Conclusion

Trader Joe's oat beverage varieties are made with a base of water and hydrolyzed oats, with additional ingredients that vary by flavor to provide different textures, tastes, and nutritional profiles. These additions include specific oils, stabilizers, and vitamin fortification. Understanding these differences helps consumers choose the best option for their preferences and dietary requirements.

Visit the official product page for detailed information on the Non-Dairy Oat Beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, according to the Trader Joe's website, the Non-Dairy Oat Beverage is gluten-free. However, it is always best to check the specific product label for any cross-contamination warnings, as this can sometimes vary.

In the original variety, the sweetness comes from the natural sugars released from the oats during the hydrolysis process, where enzymes break down the starches.

The main differences are the sweetness level and the type of oats used. The unsweetened vanilla uses partially hydrolyzed oats, resulting in 0g of total sugar, and includes natural vanilla flavors. The original uses fully hydrolyzed oats, giving it a mildly sweet taste from natural oat sugars.

Yes, most varieties of Trader Joe's oat beverage contain a small amount of oil, such as sunflower or a blend including canola or palm, to help create a creamy texture.

Gellan gum and xanthan gum are added as stabilizers to improve the texture of the beverage, making it smoother and preventing the ingredients from separating over time.

Yes, many of the varieties are fortified with vitamins and minerals, including calcium, Vitamin D2, Vitamin A, Riboflavin (B2), and Vitamin B12.

For the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient list, you should always check the nutritional panel and ingredient list on the specific product packaging.