When the weather turns cooler, a big bowl of porridge is a hearty way to warm up and this week we’ve been comparing budget instant oats.
Like most products in the supermarket, the price of porridge oats has been creeping up and some bags or boxes of oats will set you back around £2 or more. But you can find cheaper alternatives, thanks to supermarket own brand and value products.
Over the last few months, as we've seen the cost of living shooting up, we've been comparing low cost everyday items including tea and coffee, chocolate, cereal, baked beans and even toilet roll. This week, we've been testing out cheap instant porridge oats, with packets ranging from 45p to £1.
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Tesco Cinnamon Instant Oats Cinnamon Pot
I'm not usually one to stop and eat breakfast when I've got an early start but with the cold weather slowly but surely moving in, the urge to enjoy a warm meal before heading out into the rain is only getting stronger.
And what better way to warm yourself up than a good bowl of porridge? This week I went along to my local Tesco to see if I could get my hands on cheap porridge and found a huge range available, from large boxes to smaller, on-the-go pots. I opted for Tesco's Cinnamon Instant Oats Cinnamon Pot which could be eaten on the go if I was in a rush.
I was pleased to find that Tesco offered a range of different flavours when it came to its instant porridge selection as plain porridge isn't really my cup of tea. When I spotted the cinnamon option I was impressed and immediately wanted to give it a go.
I added the required water to the pot and stirred, leaving the porridge to set for around three minutes. The moment the water was added, the aroma of cinnamon filled the room and immediately made me think of Christmas - is there anything better?
The porridge was creamy and tasted absolutely delicious, the taste of cinnamon not too overpowering but definitely there. If you prefer your porridge on the thicker side you can add less water, or more if you prefer it the opposite way. However, I found filling the water to the suggested line did the job. I'll definitely be stocking up on these for winter.
Price: 50p
Rating: 5/5
Where to buy: Your local Tesco store or online here.
Asda Original Porridge Pot
I'd love to be the kind of person who whips up freshly made porridge with berries, honey and more for breakfast each day but as a raging insomniac, my ability to function in a morning is somewhat lacking. That's why I'm a big fan of cereal and porridge pots, as they're quick, easy and relatively filling - ideal on a busy working day.
I visited my local Asda and was pleasantly surprised to see several flavours of its porridge pots on offer, all at a budget friendly 45p each. There's original, golden syrup, cinnamon, and even apple and blueberry. I decided to pick up one of each flavour except golden syrup as the flavour always reminds me of the gross sticky bit on an envelope (you'll notice this the next time you try something in this flavour).
Asda's porridge pots only require boiling water, with instructions advising to leave for just two minutes. I personally feel it needs a little longer than two minutes as it's still rather runny until at least the three minute mark.
Once ready, it's deliciously sweet, creamy and satisfyingly filling, which I didn't expect. It's not sickly or too gloopy, and it was comforting - perfect as winter rolls around again. For the price, I was thoroughly impressed with this product and I'll definitely buy it again.
Price: 45p
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Your local Asda store or online
Sainsbury's Porridge Pot Original 50g
I'm a big fan of porridge, but I'll be honest, I usually make mine with oats and milk in the microwave as opposed to buying the instant pots. I can definitely see the appeal in the instant pots though, which is why I was intrigued to try the Sainsbury's Porridge Pot for 55p.
There's nothing better this time of year than a nice hearty bit of porridge, that's for sure. I took a trip to my local Sainsbury's and managed to find an original Porridge Pot. Although I would've preferred a slightly sweeter flavour, I still had high hopes for the porridge.
I poured in the required amount of water and gave it a good stir. I was actually surprised at how thick the porridge was considering it was made with boiling water, and it looked really creamy too.
In terms of taste, it was definitely good, but I would've preferred it to be slightly sweeter. The consistency was a little gooey which I don't usually find with homemade porridge, but it was definitely filling to say the least.
As a whole, I probably wouldn't make a habit of purchasing these, but I think they're great if you're in a rush and want a nice filling, hearty breakfast. Perhaps I'd prefer another flavour in the future to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Price: 55p
Rating: 3/5
Where to buy: Your local Sainsbury's store or online here.
Quaker Oat So Simple Golden Syrup Porridge Pot
I'm a big fan of porridge for breakfast, particularly in the colder months. In my opinion, you can't beat a nice, warming bowl of oats to start your day.
I decided to pick up a Quaker porridge pot from my local Morrisons store to enjoy as a quick breakfast before a busy day. I have a sweet tooth so opted for the golden syrup flavour, although there were plenty of delicious options to choose from.
The pot is really easy to make and it wasn't long until I had a nice, warming portion of porridge to enjoy. I especially loved the taste of the golden syrup, it was a really nice flavour that added just the right amount of sweetness.
One of my issues with instant porridge has sometimes been the watery consistency, but this one was nice and smooth and I felt full after eating it. I will definitely be purchasing it again for a quick breakfast during the colder months.
Price: £1
Rating: 4/5
Where to buy: Your local Morrisons store or online.
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