If you’re looking for oats to make a vegan breakfast, start with the ingredients list: plain oat flakes let you add your own water or plant-based drink. Choose the pack size based on how often you eat porridge; pre-portioned sachets save you measuring, but check for added ingredients and allergens too. If you specifically want a tin, don’t go by the name alone: check the packaging material of the product you want to buy.
Want to use water or a plant-based drink and choose your own toppings? An ingredients list containing only oats makes it clear what’s in the porridge. Even with a basic product like this, check the current label.
If you eat porridge often, a larger pack may suit your needs. Compare the pack size with the space you have to store it in a cool, dry place, tightly sealed after opening.
Pre-measured sachets save you weighing or measuring. However, always check the ingredients list for portioned products: the Jumbo portion product reviewed contains sugar as well as oats, while Quaker Oats Express Naturel carries warnings about possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
First, choose a product that suits the way you make your plant-based breakfast. Then decide whether you’d prefer a pack for several breakfasts or pre-measured portions. If you want a tin, check the packaging material separately.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Read the full ingredients list and check for ingredients of animal origin. Decide whether you’ll use water or a plant-based drink. | If I’m putting together my own plant-based breakfast, I want to know what else is in the product besides oats. Around 42% of consumers put this ingredients check first. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack size with how often you eat porridge and the space you have to store it. If you specifically want a tin, check the packaging material. | If you eat porridge often, you’ll want a pack that suits your usage and the space in your cupboard. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portioning convenience | Check the number and size of the portions, the preparation instructions, and any added ingredients or allergen warnings. | If I don’t want to measure anything in the morning, fixed portions are the biggest difference for me. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing cereals during harvesting, transport or processing. The regular products mentioned carry warnings about the possible presence of these cereals.
If you need to eat strictly gluten-free, check that the oats are labelled as gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends choosing a product with the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
It depends on the product. The Jumbo portion product reviewed lists both wholegrain oat flakes and sugar, while its large basic pack lists only wholegrain oat flakes.
Check the ingredients list on portioned products each time, even if you already know the brand. With loose flakes, you can choose what to add yourself.
A serving suggestion doesn’t mean you can only make the porridge with milk. What you add is part of the ingredients in your finished bowl.
For a plant-based breakfast, use water or a plant-based drink, and check flavour mixes and toppings separately.
The fine wholegrain porridge oats reviewed come in a 500 g packet, ideal if you want to put together your own breakfast.
The products reviewed offer a choice between a 1 kg basic pack and individually wrapped portions.
The Quaker product information reviewed includes both regular porridge oats and portion packs of Oats Express Naturel.
In the product information reviewed, Brinta Havermout is a 450 g pack of extra-fine oat flakes.
These products offer a choice between Quaker Express portions and Brinta or Quaker porridge oats in different pack sizes. Check the ingredients list and packaging information for your chosen product to see whether it suits your plant-based breakfast and, if relevant, whether it comes in a tin.
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Consider this Express version if you’re looking for an alternative to a standard pack, and check the packaging for preparation instructions and ingredients.
Pack size: 324 g. Check the allergen information for this version if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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A pack for anyone who wants to make porridge with water or a plant-based drink.
Pack size: 450 g. The product information lists 100% oat flakes and mentions the possible presence of wheat and rye.
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This pack is a good fit if you want to measure out your own portions and make your porridge with plant-based ingredients.
Pack size: 600 g. Quaker lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient and warns of the possible presence of barley and wheat.
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A smaller pack if you don’t want to store as much as you would with the 600 g Quaker pack.
Pack size: 375 g. Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and preparation instructions for this version.
No. Check the ingredients for the specific product. Plain oat flakes containing only oats give you a base that you can make with water or a plant-based drink; flavoured varieties and portion products may contain other ingredients.
Not without checking the label. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, oats can come into contact with gluten-containing cereals during harvesting, transport and processing. For a strictly gluten-free diet, it recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain symbol where possible.
A large pack is a good choice if you eat porridge often, want to measure out your own portions and have space to store it tightly sealed after opening. Portion sachets save you measuring, but check the ingredients for each product: the Jumbo portion product reviewed also contains sugar.
Read the highlighted allergens and warnings on the pack you’re buying. The regular porridge oat products mentioned carry warnings about the possible presence of wheat, barley, rye or spelt; Quaker Oats Express Naturel also mentions the possible presence of soya.
