If you want to make your own Easter lunch
A simple wholegrain base gives you the freedom to make hot porridge, overnight oats or baked treats with your own toppings, and choose what else to add.
Which option is right for you?
If you’re making something warm just before serving
Fine flakes with clear cooking instructions are handy when you need to prepare porridge alongside the other lunch dishes.
If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease
For this guest, you’ll need a suitably labelled oat product and to prepare it in a way that prevents cross-contamination from ingredients and kitchen utensils, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, find out whether any of your guests need porridge oats bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol. For the other dishes, compare the ingredients, cooking instructions and quantity you’ll need for your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and ingredients | Check whether the ingredients list contains only wholegrain oats or includes other ingredients too. | If I want to offer different toppings, I prefer to choose what goes with the oats myself. Around 40% of consumers prioritise having control over the base. |
| Preparation time | Check the instructions for the portion you’re making, including the amount of liquid and any standing time. | When I’m serving several dishes at once, I want to know whether a bowl of hot porridge will fit into the schedule. Quick preparation matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity for your group | Compare the pack size with the number of portions you want to make. | When I’m catering for several people, I want to have enough porridge oats without having to guess the amount per portion. Pack size is the first thing around 20% of consumers consider. |
| Suitability for coeliac disease | Check the packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol, and make sure utensils and toppings are free from cross-contamination, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. | If a guest has coeliac disease, I can’t rely on the word ‘oats’ alone. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this specific suitability. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every pack of oats is suitable for someone with coeliac disease
According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. Even regular porridge oats may list wheat, barley or rye in the allergen information.
For the guest in question, check the pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol and avoid cross-contamination during preparation and serving.
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ means ‘no other ingredients’
A product can contain wholegrain oat flakes and still be a blended mix. For example, the protein-enriched porridge oats from Albert Heijn mentioned here also contain soya protein, linseed and sunflower seeds.
Read the full ingredients and allergen lists if you’re looking for a simple base or need to cater for specific allergens.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Brinta describes its porridge oats as extra-fine oat flakes for making hot porridge.
- According to Brinta, the product mentioned contains 100% oat flakes and can be cooked in the microwave in two minutes, following the product instructions.
- The product information states that it may contain wheat and rye. Don’t use the regular version for a guest with coeliac disease without checking that it’s suitable.
Quaker
An option if you want a wholegrain oat base and prefer to choose the other ingredients yourself.
- The Quaker version listed by Albert Heijn has 100% wholegrain porridge oats as its ingredient.
- The same version may also contain barley and wheat, so check the pack if you have dietary requirements to consider.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes both a protein-enriched oat blend and a separate gluten-free wholegrain version.
- Albert Heijn states that its protein-enriched version contains 20 g of protein per 100 g, and that the gluten-free version is made in a gluten-free environment.
- The protein-enriched version contains ingredients including soya protein and seeds. Check the current packaging and the symbol required by your guest when assessing the gluten-free version.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other products, organic wholegrain porridge oats and fine wholegrain flakes.
- For the organic version mentioned, Jumbo lists only organic wholegrain porridge oats as an ingredient.
- An organic label doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Check the allergen information and the symbol on the pack.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI lists fine wholegrain porridge oats under the Golden Bridge brand in a 500 g pack.
- The description ‘fine wholegrain porridge oats’ can help you find the type of flakes you’re looking for.
- If you have specific dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergen information on the physical pack.
Porridge oat products at Joybuy
These products are options for a porridge dish that you can put together yourself for Easter lunch. Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions to make sure they’re suitable for your guests.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For a porridge dish that you want to put together yourself for Easter lunch. Check the cooking instructions and allergen information on the pack, especially if a guest has specific dietary requirements.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
For a porridge dish where you choose the other ingredients yourself. Check the pack for cooking instructions before you start, and review the ingredients and allergens for your guests.
Frequently asked questions
Are porridge oats always made with wholegrain oats only?
No. A blended porridge oat product can also contain wholegrain oats. The Voedingscentrum describes porridge oats as a wholegrain cereal product, but if it’s a mix, the ingredients list will show what else has been added.
Can I serve regular porridge oats to someone with coeliac disease?
Don’t assume they’re suitable just because they’re called porridge oats. The Voedingscentrum advises people with coeliac disease to choose an oat product bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. You should also prevent cross-contamination from kitchen utensils and toppings.
How do I make hot porridge just before Easter lunch?
Follow the quantities and steps on the packaging of the product you’re using. For example, Brinta gives microwave instructions for its extra-fine oat flakes: cook 40 g of porridge oats with 250 ml of milk for two minutes. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other flakes.