If you’re a new parent looking to make a quick, single serving of porridge without weighing anything, individual portion sachets could be just what you need. A cup can be handy if you’d rather not use a separate bowl, while fine oats from a larger pack let you decide how much to use. Whichever option you choose, check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens: ‘instant’ doesn’t automatically mean that hot water is all you need.
When your morning is interrupted by caring for your baby, it helps to know how much preparation a serving needs. Quaker gives a preparation time of 2 minutes for Oats Express; Albert Heijn describes Brinta Porridge’s extra-fine oats as quick to prepare. Also check what liquid and equipment your chosen version requires.
An individual sachet gives you a pre-measured amount. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Original in packs of 12 portions; Jumbo lists five 27 g sachets of Havermout Porties Original. Compare the amount in each sachet with how much you want to make.
With plain oats, you can choose your own portion size and toppings. For packaged products, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the exact version too; a flavoured variety may not have the same ingredients as the Original one.
First decide what matters most for your breakfast: quick preparation, a set portion or measuring it yourself. Then compare the instructions and label on the exact pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation time and whether you need a hob, microwave or other equipment. | If my breakfast might be interrupted at any moment, I want as few steps as possible before I can eat. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quick preparation. |
| A set portion | Compare the number of individual sachets and the weight of each portion. | When I’m cooking just for myself, I want to be able to grab one portion without weighing it. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a set portion. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the ingredients list, nutritional values and allergens for the exact variety. | I want to be able to see what’s in my breakfast, especially if I’m adding something to it. For around 21% of consumers, ingredients are the main concern. |
| Packaging and portion flexibility | Check whether the oats are individually wrapped or whether you measure out a portion from a larger pack. | I want to be able to adjust my portion and would rather not use a separate sachet for every breakfast. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
Preparation methods vary from product to product. For example, Jumbo’s instructions for Quaker Oats Express Original call for 180 ml of milk and cooking. That’s worth bearing in mind if you won’t have access to a hob when you plan to use it.
Read the instructions for the exact variety before choosing, and check which liquid and equipment you’ll need.
A label such as Original doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in another flavour, or what you’ll be eating after adding your own toppings. Allergens can also vary between products.
Check the ingredients list, nutritional information and allergens on the label for each variety.
A sachet saves you weighing ingredients, but fixes the amount you use each time. With a larger pack, you can measure out your own portion, but that does mean an extra step.
Choose based on what matters most during your busy moments: grabbing a ready-to-use portion or deciding how much to make yourself.
Oats Express Original is an option if you’re looking for individual portions of porridge. Albert Heijn lists a pack of 12 portions; Quaker gives a preparation time of 2 minutes for Oats Express.
Brinta Porridge is worth considering if you want fine oats and prefer to measure out your own portion. Albert Heijn describes the oats as extra fine and quick to prepare.
Jumbo lists both porridge in a larger pack and Havermout Porties Original, which comes in five 27 g sachets.
Upfront is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a porridge cup. Jumbo lists products including Oats Cup Apple Cinnamon and Oats Cup Chocolate, both 75 g.
These products are relevant if you’re looking for quick porridge. If you mainly want an individual portion without weighing it, check the packaging to see whether your chosen variety comes in individual sachets.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a quick breakfast for one. Before buying, check how many individual portions are in the pack, what liquid you’ll need and how to prepare it.
Pack weight: 324 g. If it’s relevant to you, check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the label.
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Worth considering if quick preparation is your priority. If you’d rather not weigh anything, check whether this variety comes in individual portions and how much each one contains.
Pack weight: 302 g. Follow the instructions on the exact pack for the liquid and preparation method you’ll need; check the allergen information too.
It depends on the variety. Jumbo’s instructions for Quaker Oats Express Original call for 180 ml of milk and cooking. Read the instructions on the sachet you’re planning to buy, especially if you can’t always use a hob.
No. The name doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s ingredients or the breakfast you make with it. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety, and take into account anything you add yourself.
Check the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods. For example, the product information for Brinta Porridge states that it may contain traces of wheat and rye.
