If you’re after creamy porridge, start by looking at fine oat flakes and how they’re prepared. Individually portioned instant oats are a better fit if measured portions and quick preparation are your priorities. Check the wholegrain claim, ingredients and allergen information for each variety. Fine flakes don’t guarantee a particular finished texture, and oats aren’t automatically suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Fine flakes are a good place to start if you want to make a less coarse porridge. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Oatmeal flakes are extra fine and quick to prepare. Judge how creamy they are once cooked.
A pre-measured portion can be handy if you don’t want to measure out oats yourself in the morning. Quaker Netherlands describes Oats Express as 100% wholegrain and ready in two minutes. Follow the pack instructions for the variety you choose.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes oatmeal as a wholegrain cereal product. Also compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety, and check the allergen information on the pack.
First choose the type of flakes and preparation method that suit the porridge you want. Then compare portions, ingredients and allergen information for the specific products.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Creamy texture | Look for fine or extra-fine flakes and check the preparation method using water or milk. Judge the porridge once it’s prepared. | If I prefer porridge to coarse flakes, the finished texture is my first concern; it comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quick preparation | Compare preparation times and check whether you need to measure out the oats yourself. Quaker Netherlands gives a preparation time of two minutes for Oats Express. | On a busy morning, I want to be able to make a portion without much measuring. Around 27% of consumers give quick preparation the highest priority. |
| Wholegrain base | Check the wholegrain claim and compare the ingredients and nutritional information for plain and flavoured varieties. | When I’m looking for a wholegrain base, I also want to know what else is in my oats; for around 27% of consumers, ingredients are the main reason for choosing. |
| Allergens | Read the current allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ warning. If you want a gluten-free option, look for a suitable claim on the pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the product name alone. Allergen checks matter most to around 13% of consumers. |
Individually portioned packs save you measuring, while loose flakes let you choose how much to use.
Choose portions if convenience matters to you; otherwise, compare loose fine flakes and their preparation methods too.
The ingredients in the variety you choose, along with anything you add to your porridge, help determine its overall nutritional value.
Read the ingredients list for the exact variety and compare the nutritional information before choosing any toppings or add-ins.
‘Extra fine’ describes the flakes, not how creamy every bowl of prepared porridge will be. The amount of liquid and the preparation method also make a difference.
Follow the preparation instructions and check whether the finished porridge has the texture you want.
An oat product may carry a warning about other cereals. The Dutch Coeliac Society also points out that pure gluten-free oats aren’t suitable for everyone with coeliac disease.
Check the gluten-free claim and current allergen information on every pack.
Worth considering if you want to weigh up standard oatmeal against the pre-measured Oats Express varieties.
Brinta Oatmeal is worth considering if you want to start with fine flakes for your porridge.
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain oat flakes for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions.
These products give you two starting points: a Quaker Express variety if portions and preparation time matter to you, and Zonnatura oatmeal if you’re looking for fine wholegrain flakes. Check the pack instructions for how to prepare each one.
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An option if pre-measured portions and minimal preparation time matter to you. The pack contains 324 g. Check the preparation method, flake type and current allergen information on the pack. Don’t assume it will have a particular level of creaminess once prepared.
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An option if you’re looking for fine wholegrain oat flakes as a base for porridge. The pack contains 500 g. Check the preparation time and allergen information on the pack, then judge for yourself how creamy the cooked porridge is.
No. Check the wholegrain claim and ingredients for the exact variety. Quaker Netherlands describes Oats Express as 100% wholegrain, but that doesn’t apply to other instant oat products.
Fine or extra-fine flakes are a good place to start. According to Albert Heijn, Brinta Oatmeal flakes are extra fine and quick to prepare; the finished texture also depends on how you cook them.
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes oatmeal as a wholegrain cereal product. For your chosen meal, also compare the product’s ingredients and anything you add to your porridge.
Not without checking the specific product. Look for a gluten-free claim and allergen information on the pack. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that even pure gluten-free oats aren’t suitable for everyone with coeliac disease.
