Are Oats Kosher for Passover?

Along with wheat, barley, rye and spelt, oats are one of the “five grains,” which can become chametz when brought into contact with water. On Passover, it is forbidden to eat or even own chametz.

Oatmeal (and most other oat products) is therefore not kosher for Passover. This is the case even if the oats were cooked very quickly and no “leavening” is visible to the naked eye.1 On the other hand, oats can be used for making kosher-for-Passover matzah. Oat matzah is an increasingly-popular option for people who cannot consume regular wheat matzah during the Seder.

Learn more about gluten-free matzah

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8 Comments

Mrs. Wolf Illinois November 1, 2021

I see that the Mishneh Torah says we may cook a grain in juice but not water, since the juice only softens and does not leaven. Would oatmeal prepared with apple juice be acceptable for Passover? If Chabad recommends oat matzoh, therefore there must be forms of oat that are not chametz? Also, is a product like almond milk considered a juice, as the Mishneh Torah uses the phrase “similar beverages” and lists even olive oil as a juice? Reply

Mendel Fogelman November 5, 2021

in response to Mrs. Wolf :

Although juice does not leaven, the Mishneh Torah points out there that this is only if the juice is completely by itself. However, if even the smallest amount of water is mixed in with it, it does have the ability to cause grain to leaven (and even quicker than with water by itself). Practically, the custom in the Ashkenazi community today is to refrain from using juice with grain altogether on Passover, due to this concern. See Halacha 5:2, and in the commentary there..

Almond milk is considered a juice in this context (although as pointed out this would still be problematic according to the Ashkenazic custom).

Regarding the Sefardic custom - one should seek guidance from a Halachic authority. Reply

Burt Van Nuys March 10, 2021

Is oat milk kosher for Passover? Reply

Chabad.org Staff March 18, 2021

in response to Burt:

Only if it has a kosher for Passover certification. Reply

Anonymous Houston April 11, 2020

Are raw oats mixed with plain yogurt considered kosher for Pesach? Reply

Chabad.org Staff April 13, 2020

in response to Anonymous:

Oats are grains that cannot be eaten on Passover, neither raw nor cooked. Reply

Shirlee April 13, 2022

in response to Chabad.org Staff:

Well, then I fail to understand how, as the article says, "oats can be used for making kosher-for-Passover matzah". Sounds like a cash grab by the matzo makers. I'm sorry, I know this sounds harsh and cynical, but maybe I will just never understand this. Reply

Chabad.org Staff April 15, 2022

in response to Shirlee:

I'm sorry if that message wasn't clear. Kosher for Passover matzah is made with wheat flour (and there is an oat flour version available too for those with allergies), this flour is watched from when it is still a kernel in the field, to ensure there is no contact with water and thus no risk of leavening. This is to fulfill the Biblical mandate of not eating and owning leavened foods during the 8 days of Pesach. I encourage you to watch this video where you can see the labor intensive and meticulous process yourself. Reply

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