Stocking up on porridge oats
You want to plan several winter breakfasts in advance and decide for yourself what to add to your porridge. A 500 g, 600 g or 1 kg pack gives you a different quantity to store and measure out.
Who are these packs for?
People short on time in the morning
You don’t want to weigh out porridge oats every time. Individual portions are worth comparing, as long as the preparation instructions for your chosen product fit your morning routine.
Shoppers who need to check carefully for gluten
You can’t automatically assume that ordinary porridge oats are gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum advises people with coeliac disease to look for the official Crossed Grain trademark on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that the exact porridge oat product meets your essential ingredient and allergen requirements. Then compare how much you want to store with the convenience of individual portions and the freedom to add your own flavourings.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack size | Check the net weight, number of portions and storage advice. You’ll also need to make sure a large pack will fit in your cupboard once opened. | If I want to make porridge several times, I want to know how many bowls I can get from one pack. Around 37% of consumers prioritise planning their supplies. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the number of individual portions and the instructions for preparing the oats in a pan or microwave. | On busy mornings, I don’t want to have to weigh out porridge oats before making something warm; around 27% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. If you have coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum advises looking for the official Crossed Grain trademark. | If I can only eat oats under specific dietary conditions, I need to check the packaging carefully. This is the first priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Adding your own flavour | Compare the ingredients in plain porridge oats with those in a portion product, especially if you want to choose your own fruit, spices or other additions. | For my winter breakfast, I want to choose the flavour myself rather than go for a pre-mixed portion. This is the deciding factor for around 18% of consumers too. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘instant’ means a large pack for your cupboard
A box of individual portions and a large pack of porridge oats need to be stored and measured out differently. The number of portions alone doesn’t tell you how much space the pack will take up.
Before choosing a pack for your cupboard, check its net weight, the number of sachets and the preparation instructions.
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Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. So, simply seeing the word ‘oats’ isn’t enough for people with coeliac disease.
Check the exact packaging and look for the official Crossed Grain trademark.
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Treating plain porridge oats and portion products as the same
Ingredients can vary between products. For example, Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes and sugar in its Havermout Porties Original.
Read the ingredients list if you want to decide for yourself what to add to your hot porridge.
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Assuming a product comes in a tin or multipack from its name
A large pack doesn’t tell you whether the porridge oats come in a tin, bag or box. Nor does ‘multipack’ necessarily tell you how the individual packs are sealed.
Check the product photo, packaging description and storage instructions if the packaging format matters for your cupboard.
Brands compared
Quaker
Offers both plain porridge oats in a larger pack and Oats Express portions for individual preparation.
- Albert Heijn lists the Quaker Havermout voordeelverpakking at 600 g; according to Albert Heijn, the Oats Express Naturel pack contains 12 portions.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each product: two packs from the same brand aren’t necessarily interchangeable.
Brinta
An option if you’re looking for plain porridge oats with fine flakes rather than individual instant portions.
- Albert Heijn describes the flakes in Brinta Havermout as extra fine.
- Check the allergen information on your chosen pack if traces of other cereals are a concern for you.
Jumbo
Offers plain wholegrain porridge oats in a 1 kg pack, as well as a separate portion product.
- Jumbo lists its Havermout Fijne Vlokken Volkoren Voordeelverpakking at 1 kg and 25 portions.
- Havermout Porties Original also lists sugar as an ingredient, so compare the exact products if you’re looking for a plain option.
Albert Heijn
Offers plain fine oat flakes and a separately labelled gluten-free wholegrain option.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken in a 500 g pack with 13 portions; multipacks are also listed for the gluten-free version.
- Don’t treat the ordinary and gluten-free-labelled products as the same. If you have coeliac disease, check the label on the pack you buy.
Golden Bridge
An ALDI own-brand option to consider if you’re looking for a simple pack of plain porridge oats.
- ALDI Nederland lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions if these details will influence your choice.
Porridge oat products at Joybuy
These Quaker packs are options for making hot porridge in different quantities. Compare the preparation instructions and the actual packaging format if you’re specifically looking for individual portions or a tin.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
For anyone who wants to make hot porridge on a busy morning. Check the pack to see whether this product contains individual portions, how to prepare it and which allergens are listed.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g
For anyone who wants to make several bowls of hot porridge from one pack and choose how much to use each time. Check the storage instructions and allergen information; if you’re looking for a tin, check the packaging description.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 375 g
For anyone looking for a smaller pack of porridge oats than the 600 g version. Read the preparation instructions and check the packaging and allergen information before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Are plain porridge oats automatically gluten-free?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. For people with coeliac disease, it says the pack must carry the official Crossed Grain trademark.
Can I use a large pack of porridge oats in other winter recipes?
Yes, as long as the texture and preparation method suit your recipe. The Voedingscentrum also lists porridge oats as an ingredient for dishes and baking; check the preparation instructions for your specific pack.
How can I heat plain porridge oats quickly?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack for the amount of liquid and preparation in a pan or microwave. Fine flakes and individual portions may have different instructions, so don’t use the preparation method for another product.
Where can I find allergen information for porridge oats?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label of the exact pack, including any warnings about other cereals. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on food labels.