Porridge oats, also known as oatmeal, are the perfect way to start the day. They're packed with energy-boosting carbs, filling fibre, and muscle-building protein. As well as having numerous health benefits, they're naturally vegan, low in calories, and taste delicious. Plus, they're quick to prepare as you can pop them into the microwave with some milk.
We'll be sharing our recommendations for the best oats to buy online at Amazon, Tesco, and more EC sites, from family favourites Quaker and Scott's as well as newer brands like MOMA and Rude Health. Moreover, we have partnered with Nutritionist Tara Corbett for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.
Quick List - Top Porridge Oats
mybest UK specialist Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
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Tara is a nutritionist and energy coach who helps clients lose weight, improve their eating habits, and get their energy back through their nutrition. Tara specialises in helping busy parents specifically improve their eating with ease and without overwhelm, and get back on track so the whole family can benefit.
Loose oats have simple packaging. Some brands use a plastic packet inside a sturdy cardboard box, while others are completely plastic-free with only a box or a paper bag. As well as doing your bit to protect the environment, this means you can control your portion sizes. On the downside, spillages may occur and the packaging is often difficult to reseal - not ideal if you're already tight for time in the mornings!
For more fuss-free breakfast ideas, check out our favourite healthy yogurts.
Now, onto sachets. These are incredibly convenient because they portion out your porridge oats so you don't have to, saving thinking time and reducing food waste. This means they're perfect for parents who need a speedy breakfast for their kids. However, many shoppers find the added foil and plastic packaging to be excessive, especially in today's planet-conscious culture.
Thick and chunky, smooth and creamy, or somewhere in-between? Everyone has a preference, so check the packaging before you buy to make sure you get one that you'll enjoy eating. Thick, chunky oats are milled and rolled but the flakes are left whole for a textured breakfast porridge with real bite. Chewing makes your brain aware that your stomach is filling up, which will keep you feeling satisfied for longer.
However, this can be a little too stodgy for some. For instance, kids often dislike this kind of texture in their food. In a super-smooth porridge, the oats have been cut or milled into feather-light flakes that absorb liquid and become delightfully creamy. This option is ideal if you find it hard to face food in the mornings but need something to get you going. It's a good pick for fussy little ones too!
There's no better way to start the day like having a cup of your favourite coffee, kickstart your morning right with our selection of ground coffees.
Lastly, many people prefer the classic "just-right" porridge with a medium texture - you know, the one that Goldilocks was so keen on! The oat flakes used in this type aren't big but they still have a decent amount of bite to them.
Another factor worth considering is whether your oats are organically grown. Organic oats are the gold standard of porridge preparation; they guarantee that no chemical nasties or genetic modification have been involved in the production of your breakfast.
While these oats might be a little lumpier, manufacturers usually take care to mill them into a smooth consistency that's just right for cooking. Sure, organic oats cost a little more on average, but if you can afford them then it's always worth going for the healthier option!
Have a look to see if the porridge brand you're planning to purchase uses the whole grain. This means that the oats you're eating include the endosperm, germ, and bran, rather than just refined pieces where the most nutrient-rich and beneficial part of the grain has actually been disposed of!
'Whole grain oats contain beta-glucan, a fibre that's known to effectively reduce cholesterol levels. Opting for whole grains also helps to regulate blood sugar levels, stabilise energy, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, it contributes to the normal function of the metabolism which in turn keeps your weight at a healthy level. All great reasons to go for a whole grain product.
Fibre reduces the levels of fat absorbed into the bloodstream, which can help to prevent excessive weight gain. It also aids digestion by regulating the water content in your stool and promoting movement in the gastrointestinal tract - keeping your systems in check!
Boost your chances of getting your recommended 30g a day (or between 15g and 25g for children) by eating a big bowl of oats with high fibre content first thing in the morning. Nutritious and delicious!
While some of us may like to choose flavoured oats to help us feel a bit more enthusiastic about getting up in the morning, you may not realise these can be packed with sugar. Even unflavoured porridge can sneakily contain added sugar, meaning you might consume more than you realise!
As a rough guide, 30 grams of sugar is the maximum recommended daily amount for adults. Kids under 6 years of age should have no more than 19g and those aged 7-10 years can have up to 24g. If you're trying to limit your intake, look for a "low-sugar" product as this will have 5g or less per 100g.
Although we've tried to stick to healthy cereals in our ranking, we have thrown in a few sugary options for those readers with a sweet tooth. Just make sure these are enjoyed as a treat and don't become a regular fixture in your diet!
It can be difficult to find an orange juice that the whole family can enjoy, let our buying guide and top 10 selection help you out!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Flahavan's Organic Porridge Oats | ![]() | Wholesome Organic Oats From an Irish Family Farm | |
2 | Scott's Old Fashioned Porridge Oats | ![]() | Classic Milled Oats for a Taste of Scotland | |
3 | Nairn's Scottish Porridge Oats | ![]() | Gluten-Free Scottish Oats and Absolutely Nothing Else | |
4 | Mornflake Creamy Superfast Oats | ![]() | Dreamy, Creamy Porridge in a Flash | |
5 | Rude Health Organic Gluten-Free Sprouted Porridge | ![]() | Organic, Gluten-Free Sprouted Oats | |
6 | Quaker Rolled Oats | ![]() | Hearty Oats From a Trusted Family Brand | |
7 | MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge|6 Satchets | ![]() | Sweet, Delicious Dairy-Free Porridge | |
8 | Ready Brek Smooth Porridge Oats | ![]() | A Smooth, Kid-Friendly Breakfast Option | |
9 | Jordans Chunky Traditional Porridge | ![]() | Tasty Whole Oats With Plenty of Bite | |
10 | Quaker Oat So Simple Original | ![]() | Handy Sachets That'll Save Time |
Want to keep packaging to a minimum, have control over portion sizes, and avoid genetically modified ingredients? These organic whole grain oats from Flavahan's farm are perfect! Plus, they're super low in sugar and fibre-rich.
Although this product isn't gluten-free, you get an impressive number of servings for your money and these gorgeous oats really do taste as good as they sound. Mix them up with hot milk for a fantastic brekkie that's neither too chunky nor too gooey - in fact, it's Goldilocks levels of "just right"!
These oats are scrumptious, filling, organically grown, and milled the old fashioned way. They blend with milk or water into a lusciously thick porridge that's just as delicious with a sprinkle of salt as it is with a spoonful of honey. Plus, they're crammed with 9g of fibre per 100g.
The large box contains around 25 servings, which should keep even the biggest families going for a while. If you want to feel like the guy on the box - muscles flexed and kilt billowing in the breeze - add a bowl of Scott's traditional oats to your morning routine!
Avoid bloating and stomach issues with these tasty gluten-free oats from Nairn's. We like this particular box because it's packed with whole grain Scottish oats and no added salt or sugar. There's an impressive 10.1g of fibre per 100 g, making them great when blended into smoothies and bakes as well as in porridge.
Not only are these oats yummy when mixed with milk, but they also taste good with water and a sprinkling of cinnamon if you're feeling extra healthy. This pack contains approximately 11 servings, assuming that you only want 40 g at a time - if you prefer a bigger bowl for breakfast then you might want to stock up on a few boxes!
This brilliant packet contains 100% oats and nothing else! Naturally high in fibre and protein, while also containing manganese and zinc, you can't really go wrong with this whole grain product. Mornflake carefully cuts the oats before they're rolled, which helps them absorb liquid more quickly. It means they cook faster too, resulting in the creamiest porridge ever.
Lower your cholesterol the easy way by blending these oats through milk over a low heat until they're nice and warm. To save yourself some cash, why not snap up the multi-pack available on Amazon which contains 144 servings for just over £13!
UK-based brand Rude Health started out mixing organic mueslis and have since branched out into a range of other breakfast products including plant milk and - of course - porridge. These sprouted oats use the whole grain, with no artificial additives or added sweeteners.
You might be wondering what exactly sprouted means. Basically, these oats are soaked in water until they begin to germinate - this means their enzyme benefits and nutrient absorbency are boosted. High in fibre and marvellously moreish, they blend with water or milk into a smooth, thick porridge that's sure to please.
You can always rely on Quaker to provide wonderfully wholesome porridge, and this huge 1 kg packet should last your family absolutely ages! The sturdy cardboard box is free from fussy plastic packaging but will keep your oats fresh nonetheless.
As well as packing plenty of flavour, these oats contain a whopping 9 g of fibre per 100 g. They're also a versatile option for baking, adding texture to flapjacks and homemade bread. What's not to love?
We think these yummy oats are best suited to those with a sweet tooth. They're made by Deptford-based independent oat-lovers MOMA (which stands for Making Oats More Awesome) and are flavoured naturally with roasted ground almonds, dates, coconut sugar, and sea salt.
These gluten and dairy-free sachets are ideal for a super speedy breakfast that will actually fill you up - simply add water, stir, and dig in! Although the sugar level is much higher than other products on our list, they do contain lots of healthy fibre too.
If you're trying to get your kids into breakfast oats, Ready Brek is the way to go. It's dreamily smooth, uses whole grain oats, and has added calcium to support the development of growing teeth and bones.
The box contains around 15 servings which should keep your little ones going for a few weeks. One downside to these lovely oats is that they contain a little less fibre than other brands. Still, they're low in sugar and can be blended effortlessly into morning smoothies, along with banana, frozen fruit, and leafy greens, for a vitamin-rich drink with a satisfying texture.
These chunky, textured oats really provide a heartening morning porridge, especially on chilly days! Jordans uses rolled whole oats from British farms that mix effortlessly with hot milk to create a bowl with plenty of bite. Although they're low in sugar, these oats do contain gluten - so avoid this particular packet if you have an allergy.
You'll get 18 filling servings with this pack, and you can buy in bulk on Amazon for a bargain price. We love the fact that Jordans has a conservation partnership promise with farms across the UK too, helping to protect bees and other wildlife in and around their associated farmland. Tasty porridge, happy planet!
Quaker is a company that's still going strong after more than 140 years, which is pretty impressive! Their delicious oats are packed with fibre yet low on sugar. There's no need for additives or flavourings either, as the staple ingredient speaks for itself.
These sachets are a family favourite because of how easy they'll make your mornings. Snip open each carefully portioned packet and add hot milk for the most wonderful bowl of joy - a glorious balance between smooth and textured. Those looking to reduce waste may want to skip this one though!
Bored of overnight oats and fancy something a little different for breakfast? Try this recipe for vegan fruity flapjacks that are healthy as well as delicious!
The ingredients are:
Here's the recipe:
Porridge oats can be given to dogs as long as they are plain and unflavoured. Avoid giving your pet instant porridges that have added flavourings because these aren't nutritious for them.
Soaking your oats overnight can help to reduce the amount of time it takes to cook them in the morning.
Written and researched by Annie Hopkins
No. 1: Flahavan's|Organic Porridge Oats
No. 2: Scott's|Old Fashioned Porridge Oats
No. 3: Nairn's|Scottish Porridge Oats
No. 4: Mornflake|Creamy Superfast Oats
No. 5: Rude Health|Organic Gluten-Free Sprouted Porridge
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