For a Boxing Day buffet, choose plain wholegrain porridge oats and match the flakes to what you’re serving: fine flakes for smooth porridge that’s quick to prepare, or coarse flakes if you’d like more texture. If a guest needs to eat strictly gluten-free, don’t assume ordinary oats are a suitable substitute for a product clearly labelled gluten-free. Also take care with how you serve the buffet.
If you’re making hot porridge for several guests just before the meal, fine flakes are a practical choice. Work out how much you’ll need based on your recipe and the number of guests; you can serve fruit, nuts and yoghurt separately.
With plain wholegrain porridge oats, you can choose the flavour through your preparation method and toppings. For oat products with added ingredients, check the ingredients list and nutrition information so you’re assessing more than just the base.
For someone with coeliac disease, ordinary oats aren’t automatically suitable, as they may contain gluten from other grains. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible, or otherwise a product labelled gluten-free. You should also ask your guest which oats are suitable for them.
First, find out whether a guest needs to eat gluten-free and decide what texture you’d like to serve. Then compare the ingredients and the quantity you’ll need for the buffet.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base | Check the ingredients list to see whether the product contains wholegrain porridge oats or wholegrain oat flakes. For products with added ingredients, compare the nutrition information per 100 g. | I want to choose the toppings myself, so I’d rather start with a simple oat base. Around 31% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Quantity | Choose a pack size that suits your recipe and the number of portions you want to make. | If several guests will be eating, I want to have enough oats ready without underestimating how many packs I’ll need. For around 31% of consumers, the quantity they need comes first. |
| Texture and preparation | Check whether the flakes are fine or coarse, and read the preparation instructions for your dish. | If I’m making porridge just before serving, I want a different texture from a bowl with yoghurt and toppings. The texture and preparation method are the main considerations for around 23% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free option | If a guest needs to eat strictly gluten-free, choose a product labelled gluten-free and check the packaging. Prevent cross-contamination through serving bowls, spoons and toppings. | I need to be able to offer something to a guest with coeliac disease without treating ordinary oats as gluten-free. Around 15% of consumers put this specific need first. |
Seeing ‘oats’ or ‘wholegrain’ on the front of a pack doesn’t mean the product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, oats may come into contact with gluten from other grains during processing.
If a guest needs to eat strictly gluten-free, choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free. Keep serving spoons, bowls and toppings separate too.
Fine flakes have a different texture from coarse flakes. Coarse flakes may also need more time to cook or soak if you want to serve smooth porridge.
Choose the flake size to suit your dish, and make a test portion in advance if the serving texture matters.
The nutrition information for dry porridge oats doesn’t automatically describe the dish you make with other ingredients.
Serve a plain oat base and toppings separately so guests can choose what to add.
An option if you’re looking for fine oat flakes for hot porridge.
A brand offering plain porridge oats and an Express version for individual portions.
A supermarket own-brand option, including explicitly labelled gluten-free wholegrain porridge oats.
A supermarket own-brand option with fine and coarse wholegrain flakes, as well as an organic version.
A supermarket option if you’re looking for coarse oat flakes.
A supermarket option with Golden Bridge wholegrain porridge oats in fine and coarse varieties.
These products include packs of porridge oats for a buffet base, as well as an Express version for individual portions. Check the ingredients, texture you’re looking for and allergen information on the packaging before you choose.
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A 500 g pack to consider if you’re looking for porridge oats for a buffet dish. Check the oat and allergen information on the packaging; don’t offer this product as a gluten-free option unless it is labelled gluten-free.
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A 600 g pack for anyone planning to make several portions of porridge. Check the flake size to make sure it’ll give you the texture you want for the buffet, and don’t use it as a gluten-free option unless it has the appropriate labelling.
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This 375 g pack is smaller than the 600 g Quaker option. Match the quantity to your recipe, and check the flake size and allergen information if they’re important for your guests.
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A 324 g Express option to consider if you’re planning to prepare individual portions. Check the portion size and preparation instructions on the packaging; if you need loose flakes for a large pan, don’t choose this product based on the name alone.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes porridge oats as a wholegrain cereal product. If you want a simple buffet base, check the ingredients list of the product you choose. For an oat product with added ingredients, the presence of porridge oats doesn’t tell you everything about the other ingredients.
Fine flakes are suited to smooth porridge that you want to make shortly before serving; coarse flakes are an option if you’d like more texture. Read the product’s preparation instructions and try the recipe in advance if the texture matters.
Don’t assume ordinary porridge oats are suitable for a guest with coeliac disease. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the risk of oats being contaminated with gluten and recommends choosing oats with the Crossed Grain trademark where possible, or otherwise a product labelled gluten-free. Ask your guest which oats are suitable for them, and prevent cross-contamination when serving.
Seal the pack of dry porridge oats tightly and follow the storage instructions on it. Cooked porridge and overnight oats need to be stored differently from dry flakes, so take into account any ingredients you’ve added.
