Families who bake together often
A regular pack of porridge oats lets you measure out the amount you need for each recipe. Children can help with scooping and mixing while you choose the other ingredients.
Which pack is best for you?
Families who like to keep oats in the cupboard
If you bake several times, consider the pack size and how much you’ll use for your planned recipes. A larger pack also needs a dry storage spot and should be sealed securely.
Families who want to measure quickly
Pre-measured sachets save you scooping when things get busy. Just check that the amount in each sachet matches what your baking recipe calls for.
What should you consider when choosing?
Start with the quantity and texture your recipes call for. Also check the ingredients on every pack and, if relevant to your household, the allergen information on the current label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack size | Compare the pack size with the amount of oats you’ll need for your planned recipes. | If we bake together often, I want enough oats in one pack without being tied to fixed portions. Stock levels would be the first consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flake texture and measuring | Check the ingredients and choose fine or jumbo oats to suit the texture you want for your recipe. | If you want to choose the quantity and flavour yourself, look for a plain base with the right flake texture. Having that freedom to follow a recipe would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Measuring and preparation | Check the amount in each sachet and whether the stated preparation method is intended for what you want to make. | If measuring is tricky when things are busy, fixed portions can help, even though a recipe may call for more or less than one sachet. This convenience would matter most to around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing and baking
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Assuming ‘instant’ is convenient for every baking recipe
An individual sachet contains a fixed amount, while muffins, crumble and biscuits may each call for a different quantity of oats.
Compare the amount in each sachet with the amount in your recipe. If you want to measure out whatever you need, look for a regular pack.
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Assuming regular oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease because they may be contaminated with gluten.
If you have coeliac disease, check that the official Crossed Grain symbol is on the pack and read the current label.
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Letting children taste raw dough or batter
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raw dough or batter may contain pathogens, including those from raw eggs or flour. Take extra care with young children.
Agree that tasting can only happen after baking, and wash your hands before and after handling dough or batter.
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Relying only on allergen information you checked earlier
A product’s ingredients and allergen information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label.
Check the current label when you buy the product, including any statements about ingredients it may contain.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers both a 600 g pack of regular porridge oats and Express individual sachets totalling 324 g.
- The regular variety we looked at states that it contains 100% wholegrain oats and makes 15 servings; Express contains 12 sachets of 27 g and states a preparation time of around 2 minutes.
- That preparation time doesn’t tell you how a baking recipe will turn out. If you have an allergy, check the information on the pack.
Brinta
Brinta Porridge Oats 450 g is a regular pack of extra-fine oat flakes.
- The variety we looked at states that it contains 100% oat flakes and makes 11 servings; its fine texture is worth considering if you don’t want jumbo oats.
- The label lists oats and possible traces of wheat and rye. Don’t assume this variety is suitable for coeliac disease without checking the label.
Albert Heijn
The AH variety we looked at is a regular 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- The product information lists wholegrain oat flakes with no added sugar or salt.
- Check the current label when you buy it, especially if the ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
Golden Bridge offers a regular 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- The fine flakes offer a different texture from jumbo oats.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before choosing this variety for a specific diet or allergy.
Lidl
The Lidl variety we looked at is a 500 g pack of jumbo oats for anyone specifically looking for a coarser texture.
- The product page says it is available in store.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before using the oats in a recipe.
Porridge oats and sachets on Joybuy
These products show the choice between regular porridge oats that you measure yourself and Express portions for less measuring. Match the pack size and, for individual sachets, the amount in each sachet to your baking recipe.
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Quaker Porridge Oats 600 g
A regular pack that lets you measure out the amount you need for different baking recipes.
The variety we looked at contains 600 g, states that it contains 100% wholegrain oats and makes 15 servings according to the product information.
Store the pack in a dry place and seal it securely. If you have coeliac disease, check the current label for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
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Brinta Porridge Oats 450 g
A regular pack for recipes where you want to measure out the amount yourself and prefer extra-fine oats to jumbo oats.
The variety we looked at contains 450 g, states that it contains 100% oat flakes and makes 11 servings according to the product information.
Check that there’s enough for your planned recipes. The label lists oats and possible traces of wheat and rye.
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Quaker Porridge Oats 375 g
A regular pack that lets you choose how much oats to use in each baking recipe.
The pack contains 375 g; compare this with the amounts in your planned recipes.
If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, read the current label before choosing this product.
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Quaker Express Porridge Oats 324 g
Individual sachets can save you measuring if the amount in each sachet suits your recipe.
The box contains 12 sachets of 27 g. The stated preparation time of around 2 minutes is for making porridge quickly, not for baking muffins or biscuits.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current label; the information for this variety mentions possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular porridge oats or instant oats better for baking with children?
Regular porridge oats give you more freedom to measure out the amount for each recipe. Instant sachets can be handy if pre-measured portions are important, as long as the amount in a sachet suits the recipe.
Can I use regular porridge oats if someone has coeliac disease?
Not without checking the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are only suitable for people with coeliac disease if the official Crossed Grain symbol is on the pack.
What should I look for on the label if I have an allergy?
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including details of what the product may contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label.
Can children taste the batter before it’s baked?
Don’t let children taste raw dough or batter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns about pathogens in raw eggs and flour, among other things; agree that tasting can only happen after baking.
How should I store an opened pack of porridge oats?
Store porridge oats in a dry place and seal the pack securely after use. Also follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.