Families having several Christmas breakfasts
If you’re making porridge for your family on several mornings, the key things to consider are how many portions the pack contains and whether you can store any leftovers somewhere dry.
Which pack size is right for you?
Smaller groups looking to avoid leftovers
If you’re only making breakfast once or a few times, choose a pack size to suit the number of people eating. According to the Voedingscentrum, opened dry oats can be stored in a kitchen cupboard for up to a year, so a large pack isn’t just for the festive season.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If you’re catering for guests with specific dietary requirements, checking the ingredients and allergen information should come before choosing a pack size. Standard oat products may carry warnings about other grains.
What should you consider when choosing?
For breakfasts around Christmas, first work out how many people you’ll be serving and how many times you’ll be making porridge. Then compare the portion information, the texture of the oats and the ingredients and allergen details on the pack you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Having enough | Compare the pack weight with the number of people and breakfasts; use the portion size on the product label to work out how much you’ll need. | If I’m making breakfast for my family on several mornings, I want to know whether one pack will be enough. Around 37% of consumers would put having enough stock first. |
| Avoiding unnecessary leftovers | Choose an amount that suits your plans and check how to store the opened dry product. | If we’re only having breakfast together once, I don’t want to buy more oats than I’ll use later. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise limiting unused stock. |
| Texture and preparation | Check whether the pack contains fine, coarse or express oats, and read the preparation instructions. | If guests expect a particular porridge texture or are eating at different times, I want to know how to prepare the product. The texture and preparation method would be the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check for an explicit gluten-free claim if needed. | If a guest has specific dietary requirements, I need to know what the packaging says before serving. This check would be the main buying concern for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a pack without working out how many breakfasts you need
The pack weight alone doesn’t tell you how many breakfasts you can make: the number of people and the portion per person also matter. Quaker recommends using 40 g of oats as a guide when preparing its family pack; Brinta lists eleven portions in its 450 g pack.
Add up the planned breakfasts and the number of people, then use the portion information on the product you want to buy.
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Assuming all oats are gluten-free
A claim such as wholegrain doesn’t mean a product is labelled gluten-free. Quaker says its standard oats may contain barley and wheat; Brinta warns that its product may contain traces of wheat and rye.
If a guest needs a gluten-free product, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and an explicit gluten-free claim.
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Storing prepared porridge like dry oats
Dry oats and prepared porridge have different storage advice. The Voedingscentrum says opened dry oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year, while unsweetened porridge made with whole milk can be kept in the fridge for 3–5 days.
Keep prepared porridge chilled and plan to use leftovers within the applicable storage period. Store dry oats separately in a tightly sealed container.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo lists fine and coarse wholegrain own-brand oats in 500 g packs, as well as a 1 kg pack of fine oats.
- The 1 kg pack offers a larger amount of loose oats for breakfasts on several occasions.
- Check the type of oats if you’re looking for coarse flakes: the 1 kg pack mentioned contains fine oats.
Quaker
Quaker offers standard oats and a family pack, as well as express and flavoured varieties.
- For its family pack, Quaker recommends using 40 g of oats per 250 ml of liquid.
- Quaker says its standard oats may contain barley and wheat. Check the label if this is relevant to your guests.
Brinta
Brinta Oats come in a 450 g pack of extra-fine oat flakes.
- Albert Heijn lists eleven 40 g portions in this pack, which can help when planning for a smaller group.
- The product information warns that it may contain traces of wheat and rye.
Golden Bridge
ALDI lists Golden Bridge as its own brand of fine and coarse wholegrain oats in 500 g packs.
- The separate fine and coarse varieties give you a choice of texture.
- Check the pack weight of your chosen variety if you want to work out how much you’ll need for several breakfasts.
Oat packs on Joybuy
These 600 g and 375 g Quaker packs are options if you want to match the amount of oats to a smaller group or a limited number of breakfasts.
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Quaker Oats 600 g
This pack may be suitable for several shared breakfasts if the total planned portions fit within the pack size.
The pack contains 600 g; Joybuy product information lists 15 portions. Check the current allergen information before buying: this product may contain wheat and barley.
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Quaker Oats 375 g
The 375 g pack may suit a small group or a few breakfasts; check the portion information on the label to see whether one pack will be enough.
Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergen information if you’re cooking for guests with specific dietary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much porridge should I make for a shared Christmas breakfast?
Use the portion size on your chosen pack and multiply it by the number of people and breakfasts. Quaker recommends 40 g of oats with 250 ml of milk or water as a guide for preparing its family pack; based on 40 g per portion, 1 kg makes around 25 portions. Brinta lists eleven portions in its 450 g pack.
When should I choose a smaller pack instead of 1 kg?
A smaller pack is a good fit for one or a few breakfasts if you don’t want to keep the rest for later meals. Compare the pack size with the portions you’ve planned; a larger pack may be more practical if you’ll use it repeatedly.
How should I store opened oats and leftover porridge?
Store dry oats and prepared porridge separately, following the advice for each product. The Voedingscentrum says opened dry oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year, while unsweetened porridge made with whole milk can be kept in the fridge for 3–5 days.
Can I serve standard oats to a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t rely on the product name alone: check the current ingredients and allergen information, and look for an explicit gluten-free claim on your chosen pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets requirements for the gluten-free claim; according to the product information, standard Quaker oats may contain barley and wheat, while Brinta warns that its product may contain traces of wheat and rye.