Which pack is right for you?

If you want to make a warm bowl quickly

If you don’t want to weigh anything out on a Sunday, pre-measured portions are handy. Jumbo lists Quaker Oats Express Natural as containing 12 individual sachets, with a preparation time of 2 minutes.

If you also use oats in recipes

A plain pack lets you measure out the amount you need for porridge or a recipe. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses oats in a savoury dish and recommends rolled oats when you want more texture.

If you need a gluten-free oat product

Regular porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. For oat products, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking for the official Crossed Grain symbol; also check the current allergen information on the pack.

What should you look for?

Before choosing a pack, decide what matters most for your Sunday: making a bowl quickly, using oats in different ways or choosing a suitable gluten-free product. Then check the pack size and preparation instructions.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Speed and pre-measured portions Look for individual portions and check the preparation instructions; Quaker Oats Express Natural lists 12 sachets and a preparation time of 2 minutes. If I want to make a warm bowl quickly on a Sunday, I don’t want to weigh out the oats first. Convenience is the top priority for around 44% of consumers when making this choice.
Use and pack size Compare the pack size with how often you plan to use the oats, and check the recipe for the texture it requires in a savoury dish. I want to be able to use the same pack for a recipe without having lots left over. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Gluten-free and allergen information If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the current ingredients and allergen information. If I need to eat gluten-free, I need to be able to tell whether this particular oat product is suitable. This check is the most important factor for around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming regular oats are automatically gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. So the product name ‘porridge oats’ doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack and read the current allergen information.

  • Choosing a large pack when you only need a few portions

    Pack sizes vary considerably: Albert Heijn lists 25 portions in its 1 kg pack, while Brinta lists around 11 portions in 450 g.

    Before choosing a size, think about how many portions you expect to use and whether you’ll use the oats in other recipes too.

  • Assuming instant oats can be used in any recipe

    Being quick to prepare as porridge doesn’t tell you how instant oats will work in a particular savoury dish. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends rolled oats when you want more texture.

    For a Sunday roast, follow the recipe’s instructions on the type and amount of oats to use.

  • Assuming a ‘tin’ is a metal storage container

    Jumbo describes the 600 g Quaker Porridge Oats pack as a cardboard sleeve with a plastic inner pack.

    If a metal tin is important for storage or presentation, check the packaging material before you buy.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Jumbo lists 324 g of Oats Express Natural in individual portions, as well as a 600 g pack of regular porridge oats.

  • The Express version contains 12 individual sachets; according to Jumbo, the 600 g version is made from 100% wholegrain oats.
  • The regular products we reviewed list oats and may contain other cereals. Don’t treat them as gluten-free without checking the label carefully.

Brinta

Albert Heijn lists a 450 g pack containing 100% rolled oats.

  • The product information lists around 11 portions of 40 g and says they can be prepared in a microwave or pan.
  • The product may contain wheat and rye; check the label if you need to avoid gluten.

AH

Albert Heijn lists wholegrain porridge oats with fine flakes in a 1 kg pack.

  • The product information lists 25 portions of 40 g and says they can be used for overnight oats, in the microwave or in a pan.
  • If you’re buying for occasional use by one person, this larger pack requires some thought; also check the allergen information on the pack.

Elovena

Albert Heijn describes Natural instant oatmeal as gluten-free and lists five portions of 40 g.

  • The individual portions make it easy to see how much to use each time.
  • If you have coeliac disease, you still need to check the current label and look for the official Crossed Grain symbol; the pack contains 200 g in total.

Golden Bridge

ALDI Netherlands lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.

  • This size sits between the smaller portion packs mentioned and the 1 kg pack.
  • Check the pack you’re buying for its ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions.

Joybuy products for quick preparation

These two packs are suited to making a warm bowl quickly. If you want to use oats in a Sunday roast, choose a product that matches your recipe’s instructions; don’t assume that the texture will be the same as regular rolled oats just because the preparation time is short.

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Ideal for a quick warm bowl when you don’t want to measure out the oats yourself.

The product information lists 12 individual portions and a preparation time of 2 minutes.

Check the current label if soya or cereals containing gluten are a concern for you.

View at Joybuy
Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

A pack for anyone who wants to make a warm bowl quickly.

The product description gives a preparation time of 2 minutes. Check the preparation instructions and see whether the pack contains individual portions if you don’t want to weigh the oats out.

According to the product information, this version contains soya and lists cereals containing gluten; check the current label before use.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are regular porridge oats automatically gluten-free?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. For people with coeliac disease, it recommends checking oat products for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.

How do I compare the portions in different packs?

Check the serving size for the specific product rather than looking only at the pack weight. Albert Heijn lists around 11 portions in 450 g for Brinta and 25 portions in 1 kg for AH fine rolled oats; Jumbo lists 12 pre-measured portions in 324 g for Quaker Oats Express Natural.

Can I use instant oats in a savoury Sunday dish?

It depends on the recipe and the texture you want. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses oats in a savoury dish and recommends rolled oats when you want more texture; for a Sunday roast, follow the recipe’s instructions on the type and amount of oats to use.

What allergen information should I check on porridge oats?

Read the current ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the pack you’re buying. Depending on the version, the Quaker and Brinta product information we reviewed mentions soya, wheat, barley or rye.