Solo diner who likes to choose the flavour
You want a small base for a bowl with your own sweet or savoury additions. A variety containing only oats leaves you free to choose the other ingredients.
Who are portion-pack oats useful for?
A portion sachet saves you weighing out oats, but the ingredients and amount of dry oats determine how much freedom you have to customise your bowl.
Evening diner short on prep time
You don't want to weigh anything out and would rather choose a sachet with quick, clear instructions. According to Quaker's product information, the Oats Express sachets reviewed here take two minutes to prepare; check the pack to see what you'll need.
Shopper comparing protein content
You're looking at the protein content of the dry oats, not just the convenience of a portion sachet. With Quaker Oats Express Protein, you should also check the ingredients: this variety contains soya protein.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a plain base, a sweetened one or one with added soya protein. Then check whether a pre-measured sachet suits the amount you want for your evening bowl.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing your own flavour | Check whether the ingredients list only oats or includes sugar too. | If I'm adding my own sweet or savoury ingredients, I don't want the dry base to determine the sweetness already. Around 31% of consumers put control over flavour first. |
| Minimal preparation | Check the preparation time and what liquid, bowl and equipment you'll need. | After a busy evening, I want to make one portion without weighing out oats. For around 31% of consumers, simple preparation is the main consideration. |
| Protein in the dry portion | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion; if you're considering the Protein variety, check the soya ingredients too. | If I want to compare the protein content of the oat base specifically, I also need to know what has been added to that variety. Around 19% of consumers say this is their main priority. |
| Amount per bowl | Compare the dry contents of one sachet with the portion you would weigh out from a larger pack. | If I often make a bowl just for myself, I may want a different amount from the contents of one sachet. Flexible portioning is a priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘Original’ means an unsweetened base
According to Jumbo's product information, Havermout Porties Original contains sugar as well as wholegrain oat flakes. That means the sweetness of the dry portion is not entirely up to you.
Read the ingredients list rather than relying on the product name alone. If you want to choose all the flavourings yourself, look for a variety that lists oats as its only ingredient.
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Assuming one sachet is always the right amount
The plain Quaker and Jumbo portion sachets reviewed here each contain 27 g of dry oats. That may not be the amount you want for your evening bowl.
Check the contents of each sachet before choosing toppings or other parts of your evening meal. If you regularly want to adjust the amount of oats, you can weigh them out from a larger pack.
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Choosing a Protein variety without reading the ingredients
According to its product information, Quaker Oats Express Protein contains soya protein and soya lecithin. The word Protein doesn't tell you which ingredients provide the protein.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack. Don't choose a variety containing soya if you need to avoid it.
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Assuming every oat portion is suitable for coeliac disease
The Voedingscentrum points out that oat products can be contaminated with gluten during processing. So the words ‘oats’ or ‘wholegrain’ on their own are not enough.
For coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends choosing only oat products with the official Crossed Grain symbol. Check the pack for this certification.
Brands and product ranges compared
These examples show how portion sachets differ from oats that you weigh out yourself. The features below apply to the product ranges mentioned, not necessarily to every product from a brand.
Quaker
Oats Express Naturel and Oats Express Protein are individually packed portions of oats. Quaker also sells oats in larger packs that you weigh out yourself.
- According to the product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn, Oats Express Naturel contains twelve 27 g sachets, with wholegrain oats as the ingredient.
- The Protein variety reviewed contains soya protein and soya lecithin; check the allergen information if soya is relevant to you.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, Havermout Porties Original consists of five individual 27 g sachets.
- The dry portion is pre-measured, so you don't have to scoop out a portion from a larger pack yourself.
- The ingredients list states 90% wholegrain oat flakes and sugar. This is not a base made from oats alone.
Albert Heijn
AH Volkoren Havermout Proteïne combines oat flakes with ingredients including soya protein, linseed and sunflower seeds. The 350 g pack reviewed is not made up of individual portion sachets.
- You can decide how much dry oatmeal to weigh out for each bowl.
- If you want a ready-measured single serving, you'll need to portion this pack yourself. Check the soya ingredients on the label too.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is a larger pack of oat flakes, designed for you to portion yourself rather than use as individual sachets.
- According to Albert Heijn's product information, the oats reviewed consist of 100% oat flakes.
- You'll need to weigh out your own portion. The product information also states that the product may contain traces of wheat and rye.
Portion-pack oats on Joybuy
These two Quaker Express products are worth considering if you're looking for a pre-measured portion of oats for a fakeaway night on your own. Choose between a plain oat base and a variety with soya protein; check the pack for the latest preparation and allergen information for both.
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Quaker Express oats 324 g
For an evening bowl where you want to choose the flavour with your own ingredients.
According to the product information, this pack contains twelve individual portions, with wholegrain oats as the ingredient. Follow the pack instructions for the liquid required and how to prepare them.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For anyone who specifically wants to compare protein content in a pre-measured portion of oats.
The Protein variety contains soya protein and soya lecithin. Check the allergen information and follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 27 g sachet enough for a fakeaway night?
A 27 g sachet is a small base of dry oats; whether it's enough depends on what else you're having in the bowl or with your evening meal. The Quaker Naturel and Jumbo portion sachets reviewed each contain 27 g, while a larger pack lets you weigh out a different amount yourself.
Which portion lets me choose the sweetness myself?
A portion whose ingredients list only oats gives you the freedom to choose the sweetness with your own additions. According to Jumbo's product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains only wholegrain oats; Jumbo Havermout Porties Original also contains sugar.
Can I prepare Quaker portion sachets without a saucepan?
According to the product information reviewed, Quaker Oats Express Naturel and Protein can also be prepared in the microwave. You'll still need a suitable bowl and the stated amount of liquid; follow the latest instructions for your pack.
Are regular oat portions suitable for coeliac disease?
Not automatically: for coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum recommends choosing only oat products with the official Crossed Grain symbol, as oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. Check the pack for the symbol rather than relying on the product name.