Which option is right for you?

Festival-goers short on time

You want to make a warm portion of porridge without weighing it out, and you can use a pan or microwave.

Campers packing for several mornings

You’re looking for enough fine oat flakes for several portions, are happy to measure them out yourself and have a way to keep the opened pack dry.

Shoppers with specific allergen requirements

You need a pack whose current ingredients and allergen information meet your requirements. According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oats aren’t necessarily suitable for people with coeliac disease.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out what cooking facilities are available at your festival. Then compare the type of grain, how much you’ll be taking and the label on the exact product.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholegrain oats and ingredients Read the wholegrain claim and ingredients list on the exact product. Check any added ingredients separately. If I specifically want wholegrain oats, I need to be able to see which grain is in the pack. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Preparing a hot breakfast Check what equipment and liquid the product requires. Albert Heijn says Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes 2 minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan. Before a day at a festival, I want to be able to make a hot portion quickly, but only if the necessary facilities are available. This is the first consideration for around 25% of consumers.
Quantity and packaging Compare the pack size with the number of mornings you need it for, and check whether you can keep loose flakes dry and sealed after opening. For several mornings, I want to take enough without having to find a new portion each time. Around 25% of consumers prioritise having enough in stock.
Portions and allergens Check how the portions are divided up and read the current allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, check whether the exact product is explicitly stated to be suitable. I want to know in advance whether the portions will work for me and whether the pack meets my allergen requirements. This check is decisive for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a breakfast made with oats is automatically wholegrain porridge

    The type of grain used and the wholegrain claim determine whether a product matches your choice of oats. According to Albert Heijn, Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt contains wholemeal wheat flour, so it isn’t the same as Brinta Havermout.

    Read both the product name and the ingredients list before treating two packs as interchangeable.

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products may be contaminated with gluten. The term ‘porridge oats’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease.

    Before buying, check the current packaging for an explicit suitability statement that meets your requirements.

Brands compared

Quaker

As well as loose porridge oats, Quaker offers Oats Express portion sachets for making a hot breakfast.

  • According to the product information, the Naturel version contains 12 sachets and takes 2 minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan.
  • Check the label for allergens: this version may contain traces of soya, barley and wheat.

Brinta

Brinta offers fine oat flakes, as well as a separate wholegrain breakfast cereal made with wheat.

  • According to the product information, Brinta Havermout is made from oat flakes. The fine flakes are designed for quick preparation.
  • Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt contains wheat, so it isn’t a substitute if you’re specifically looking for porridge oats.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s own-brand range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oat flakes in a choice of pack sizes.

  • Fine wholegrain oat flakes are available in packs including 500 g and 1 kg.
  • When you buy, check the packaging of your chosen version for ingredients and allergens.

GOLDEN BRIDGE

ALDI’s own brand includes coarse wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.

  • The coarse flakes offer an alternative to the fine porridge oats in this comparison.
  • Check the pack itself if you need to confirm the ingredients or allergens in this version.

CROWNFIELD

This Lidl range includes 500 g of organic porridge oats.

  • The product description and pack size give you a clear starting point for comparison.
  • Check the pack for the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens of the product you choose.

Porridge products for a festival breakfast

These Quaker products are options if you want to make a hot portion of porridge at a festival. Before choosing, check what cooking facilities are available and whether the ingredients and packaging suit your needs.

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

For anyone who wants to make a hot portion of porridge without weighing it out, provided a microwave or saucepan is available.

The product information lists 12 individual portions of wholegrain porridge oats and a preparation time of 2 minutes. Check the current label for allergens, including possible traces of soya, wheat and barley.

View at Joybuy
Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

For anyone considering making a hot oat-based meal with hot water and wanting to check the ingredients first.

The pack contains 302 g. Check the ingredients for soya, and look at the label to see how the product is divided into portions if that matters to you.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary porridge oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Ordinary porridge oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Voedingscentrum points out that oat products may be contaminated with gluten, so check the label on the exact product for an explicit suitability statement.

How can I tell whether I’m buying wholegrain porridge oats?

Check both the wholegrain claim and the type of grain listed in the ingredients. A wholegrain breakfast made with wheat, such as Brinta Volkoren Graanontbijt according to Albert Heijn’s product information, isn’t porridge oats.

Can I heat instant porridge oats without cooking facilities?

To make a hot portion, you’ll need the equipment listed on the pack. According to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel requires a microwave or saucepan, so check before you leave whether you’ll have access to one.

What should I check on a pre-packed oat product?

At the very least, read the product name, ingredients, allergen and nutritional information, and storage and preparation instructions. European food labelling rules set out what information must appear on pre-packed foods. Check the current label for the version you’re taking with you.