Choose plain wholegrain oats if you want to measure out your own portions and are looking for a versatile cupboard staple. Fine flakes or pre-portioned sachets can speed up your morning routine. If you have coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing only oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol. Always check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions on the current pack.
If you don’t want to measure anything out in the morning, pre-portioned sachets are worth a look. If you’d rather make your own bowl from a single pack, check out fine flakes and the preparation time on the pack. Quaker and Brinta describe these types in their product information.
A larger pack of plain oats gives you the flexibility to measure out your own portions. Check that you can reseal the pack properly after opening and follow the storage advice. Albert Heijn recommends storing its fine flakes in a cool, dark and dry place.
If you have coeliac disease, a label saying ‘oats’ isn’t enough on its own. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing an oat product with the official Crossed Grain symbol. Also read the allergen information on the current pack.
If you have coeliac disease, check for the gluten-free symbol first. Then compare the preparation method, pack size and ingredients to find what suits your morning routine.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Read the preparation instructions and check whether you need to measure out a portion or can use one that’s already measured. | If I’m short on time in the morning, I want to make breakfast with as few steps as possible. Preparation time is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Storage and portioning | Check the pack size, best-before date and storage advice for after opening. | I want to use one pack for several breakfasts without storage becoming a hassle. Around 29% of consumers prioritise how suitable a product is for storing in the cupboard. |
| Ingredients and nutrition information | Compare the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g or per portion for each variety. | If I’m choosing a flavoured variety, I want to know what it contains besides oats and what the stated portion size is. For around 21% of consumers, ingredients are their main concern. |
| Gluten and allergens | If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the current allergen information. | If I’m buying oats because I have coeliac disease, I need to be able to check whether this particular pack is suitable. This is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Quaker lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Oats Express Naturel, while the cinnamon variety also contains sugar. So, a similar preparation method doesn’t mean the ingredients are the same.
Check the ingredients and nutrition information for each flavour separately.
Regular oat products can come into contact with cereals containing gluten. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing only oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Check the symbol and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying.
A pack for several breakfasts is only practical if you can follow the storage instructions after opening. For its fine oat flakes, Albert Heijn recommends resealing the pack securely and storing the product in a cool, dark and dry place.
Choose a pack size that’s easy to handle and check how to store the product after opening before you buy it.
Quaker offers plain oats as well as Oats Express portions for anyone who prefers pre-measured servings.
Brinta describes its extra-fine oat flakes as ideal for a quick-to-prepare warm bowl.
Albert Heijn offers plain fine wholegrain oats as well as a separate gluten-free variety.
Jumbo offers fine and coarse wholegrain oat flakes, as well as a separate gluten-free variety.
Lidl lists Crownfield Bio oat flakes as an in-store product.
Aldi lists Golden Bridge fine and coarse wholegrain oats as separate varieties.
These products show three ways to stock up on oats for a quick breakfast: an Express product, a Protein variety and a larger pack of oats. Check the preparation instructions and details on the current pack for each product.
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An Express product worth considering if you want to spend less time preparing breakfast.
Check the portion size, preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack. Don’t assume the ingredients are the same as in another Quaker variety.
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Another Express variety to consider if you’re looking for oats that are quick to prepare.
Compare the ingredients and allergens with the regular Express variety. Check the current pack for the liquid quantity and preparation instructions.
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A pack to consider if you want to measure out your own breakfast portions.
Check the type of grain and allergens on the ingredients list. If you’re short on time in the morning, also check the preparation instructions.
Yes, an unopened pack may still be usable after its best-before date: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the date relates to quality. Check the product’s appearance, smell and taste to assess it, and follow the storage instructions on the pack after opening.
Follow the storage advice for your chosen product and seal the pack securely after use. Albert Heijn recommends storing its fine oat flakes in a cool, dark and dry place. Check the label for storage instructions if you’re buying a different product.
Not necessarily. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing only oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol, as regular oat products can come into contact with gluten. Check the allergen information on the current pack too.
No, the ingredients vary by variety. Quaker lists wholegrain oats in Oats Express Naturel, while the cinnamon variety also contains sugar. So, check the ingredients and nutrition information for each flavour.
