If you want a quick, warm bowl
On a busy morning, a sachet can make portioning easier. Quaker Netherlands says its Oats Express range takes two minutes to prepare. Check the instructions and ingredients for the variant you choose.
Who might these oat options suit?
If you want to choose your own flavour
Regular wholegrain flakes make a neutral base when you want to choose your own portion size and toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests using porridge oats as an ingredient in dishes and baking.
If you need to choose strictly gluten-free products
The word ‘oats’ does not mean a product is gluten-free. Check the packaging for an explicit gluten-free claim and the certification mark that matters for your choice. Jumbo describes a gluten-free oat product with the Crossed Grain certification mark.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’d prefer to measure your own portion or use a pre-portioned sachet. Then check the label for the wholegrain claim, ingredients and any allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and ingredients | Look for the wholegrain claim and, for flavoured varieties, compare the ingredients and sugar per 100 g. | If I’m putting together my own hot oat dish, I want to know which oats and toppings I’m using. Composition comes first for around 40% of consumers. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation time, amount of liquid needed and portion size on the packaging. | When I’m busy, I want to make a warm bowl without measuring out the oats. Portion convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free and allergens | If you need a strictly gluten-free option, check for an explicit claim. For other allergies, read the latest allergen information too. | If I need to choose strictly gluten-free products, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Checking the label is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming oats are automatically gluten-free
The product name alone doesn’t tell you whether an oat product is suitable for a strictly gluten-free diet.
Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging and check the relevant certification mark.
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Comparing only the number of sachets
The number of sachets doesn’t tell you how much oats each portion contains or the total amount in the pack.
Compare the net weight and portion size to see which pack best suits your needs.
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Thinking wholegrain oats make a complete meal
The ingredients and nutritional value of a dish also depend on what you add to the oats.
Check the oat label and choose the other ingredients to suit the meal you want to make.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers regular porridge oats and Oats Express sachets for a quick, warm bowl.
- Quaker Netherlands says Oats Express is 100% wholegrain and ready in two minutes.
- Albert Heijn lists 12 portions of 27 g for Oats Express Original and notes that it may contain soya, barley and wheat. Check the packaging for the variant you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks wholegrain oat flakes, among other products, as well as a separate gluten-free oat option.
- The range includes flakes for anyone who prefers to measure their own portions.
- A wholegrain claim and a gluten-free claim are different product characteristics. Check each pack separately.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands describes its jumbo oat flakes as a base for breakfast or a snack.
- The product information lists a 500 g pack.
- According to the product page, this item is only available in store.
Instant portions on Joybuy
This product suits anyone looking for a quick-to-prepare portion of oats. Before making it, check the instructions, wholegrain claim and allergen information on the packaging.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option if you’re looking for oats to make a quick, warm bowl and want pre-measured portions. Check the portion size, preparation method and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are instant oats always wholegrain?
The word ‘instant’ doesn’t tell you whether a product is wholegrain. Quaker Netherlands describes Oats Express as 100% wholegrain. Check the claim and ingredients for the specific variant you’re buying.
Can I choose regular porridge oats if I need to eat strictly gluten-free?
Don’t rely on the name ‘porridge oats’ alone. Check the packaging for an explicit gluten-free claim and the certification mark that matters for your choice, such as the Crossed Grain certification mark mentioned by Jumbo for one of its gluten-free oat products.
How do I prepare instant oats as a warm bowl?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your chosen variant. Albert Heijn says to heat Quaker Oats Express Original with 180 ml of milk for two minutes at 800 W, or cook it in a pan for two minutes. Other products may differ.
Are porridge oats a complete hot meal on their own?
Oats alone don’t determine the nutritional content of the whole meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also describes porridge oats as an ingredient in dishes, so consider both the oats and what you add to them.