Who are these options for?

Commuter short on breakfast time

Wants to make a warm portion on a working day without measuring out the oats first. A plain single-serve sachet could be a good fit, provided the ingredients and sugar content also suit their preferences.

Shopper looking to avoid added sugars

Wants to know what else is in the product besides oats, so compares the ingredients list with the nutritional information, including ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

Porridge eater who likes to portion their own

Doesn’t mind measuring out fine oats and choosing their own milk, water, yoghurt or toppings instead of using a pre-measured sachet.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the ingredients and sugar content of the exact variant. Then consider whether a pre-measured portion would save you enough preparation time on working days.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Added sugars Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean that a product contains no sugars at all. I want to put together a plain breakfast without added sweeteners and compare the sugar content of different products; this check is a top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Preparation time Check the instructions for the exact variant and whether you need to measure it yourself. Quaker Nederland states that Oats Express Naturel takes two minutes to prepare. When I’m short on time on a working day, I want to know how many steps it takes to make a warm portion. Speed is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Portion size Check how much is in a single-serve sachet, or measure out the amount yourself if you’re buying loose fine oats. I want to decide for myself how much porridge and how many toppings to use, even if that means measuring them out; this freedom matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information on the current packaging. If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. If I need to avoid gluten or other ingredients strictly, the exact variant must meet those requirements. This check is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Relying only on the wording on the front of the pack

    ‘No added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’ don’t mean the same thing. The Voedingscentrum points out that a product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars.

    Read both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table per 100 g.

  • Assuming a sachet is the same as loose porridge oats

    A sachet is pre-measured; with a pack of fine oats, you decide how much to use. This affects how much preparation your breakfast needs.

    Choose between the two formats only after checking the portion size and preparation instructions.

  • Assuming plain oats are suitable for coeliac disease

    According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten. A short ingredients list therefore doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check the current packaging for the exact variant for the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information.

  • Assuming pictured serving suggestions are included

    Fruit or nuts shown in a picture may not be included in the pack. The ingredients in a flavoured variant may also differ from those in plain porridge oats.

    Use the ingredients list and nutritional information for your chosen variant to check what you’re buying and what you might want to add yourself.

Brands to consider

Among these brands and own-label ranges, the porridge oat variants reviewed differ mainly in their packaging, oat flake shape and how much you need to measure out yourself.

Quaker

Oats Express Naturel is a plain variant in single-serve sachets for preparing hot.

  • Quaker Nederland states that Oats Express Naturel contains wholegrain oats, has no added sugars and takes two minutes to prepare.
  • Check the allergen information on the exact pack; plain doesn’t automatically mean suitable for coeliac disease.

Albert Heijn

AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken is a loose oat base that you measure and prepare yourself.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variant has one ingredient and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • It isn’t a pre-measured instant sachet. Check the allergen information on the pack too.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s porridge oat range includes regular oats, single-serve sachets and cups.

  • These different pack formats make it easy to compare preparation methods and portioning convenience.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions for each product you choose; they aren’t the same across the whole range.

Golden Bridge

ALDI lists fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats from this own-label range as loose oats.

  • You can choose between fine and coarse oats and measure out the amount yourself.
  • Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the current pack for the variant you choose.

Porridge oats at Joybuy

This Quaker Express Oatmeal is one option to consider if you’re looking for porridge oats for weekday mornings. Before choosing it, check the ingredients, sugar content and preparation instructions for this exact variant.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

For anyone looking for a porridge option for working days who wants to check the ingredients in their chosen variant.

Pack size: 324 g. Check the current packaging for sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens before comparing this variant with other products.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does instant porridge with no added sugars contain no sugars at all?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, it may still contain naturally occurring sugars. So as well as checking the claim, read the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

How do I compare two porridge oat products with different portion sizes?

Compare their nutritional values per 100 g, then look at the amount you’ll actually use. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g; also check the ingredients and preparation instructions for both variants.

Can fine porridge oats make a quick weekday breakfast too?

Yes, if measuring and preparing them yourself works for you. Albert Heijn states that AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken takes about one minute to cook gently once it has come back to the boil; always follow the instructions on the pack you’re using.

Are regular porridge oats automatically suitable for coeliac disease?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, check whether the pack for the exact variant displays the official Crossed Grain symbol.