Porridge is widely regarded as a nutritious, high-fibre staple linked to improved heart health and reduced inflammation — and it may even assist with weight loss and cholesterol management. However, not all porridges are equal, and certain varieties can be packed with sugar, which can negate the potential health benefits for diabetics and those watching their waistline.
Test setup
Quaker Oats, instantly recognisable by its iconic Quaker man logo, remains one of the most well-known brands. The American company registered its first cereal trademark back in 1877 and continues to thrive. Supermarkets also stock their own takes on the oaty classic, ranging from traditional oats to flavoured sachets and instant pots.
For this taste test, instant pots from seven popular high-street supermarkets were pitted against Quaker Original. The results are ranked from worst to best.
8) Morrisons' Original Porridge – 55p for 55g
Kicking off with one of the sweetest offerings, Morrisons' Original was overwhelmingly sweet and sorely lacking in creamy texture, despite thorough stirring. The result was a watery pot that left bits in the mouth. It didn't require honey, but was still a letdown. Sugar content: 12.2g. Rating: 4/10.
7) Lidl's Crownfield Instant Oats – 37p for 50g
Lidl's interpretation produced a comparable consistency to Morrisons, with the mixture failing to thicken quickly and a similar bitty texture. However, its sugar content came in at just 5.9g — immediately noticeable upon tasting. Sweetness is a matter of preference; a touch of honey was stirred in. Rating: 5/10.
6) Asda's Original Porridge Pot – 50p for 50g
Asda's offering produced a wonderfully thick porridge, yet it tasted bland and left an unpleasant aftertaste. Despite containing 8.2g of sugar, it still felt as though it required further sweetening. A drizzle of honey improved matters. Rating: 6/10.
5) Aldi's Golden Bridge Original Porridge – 37p for 50g
Aldi's offering was noticeably thicker with a more welcome flavour, though still slightly watery. It boasts 6.4g of sugar but didn't taste particularly sweet; a generous swirl of honey proved beneficial. At 37p, it represents value for budget-conscious shoppers. Rating: 7/10.
4) Sainsbury's Original Porridge – 65p for 50g
Sainsbury's Original proved to be another impressively thick porridge with a soft and pleasant texture. It remains relatively plain despite 6.8g of sugar; a drizzle of honey made a world of difference, making it a contender for the top spot. Rating: 7.5/10.
3) Quaker Original – £1.30 for 45g (from Morrisons)
Considerably pricier, Quaker's £1.30 for 45g means paying more for less — yet its popularity is unsurprising. It produces a thick, velvety porridge with reliably smooth consistency. It contains 5.3g of sugar, though flavour-wise it was slightly plain. With or without honey, it secured a top-three position, but its higher price weighed heavily. Rating: 8/10.
2) Tesco's Instant Oats Original – 41p for 55g
An unexpected frontrunner, Tesco's Instant was remarkably thick, creamy with a pleasantly subtle sweetness — though it contains 9g of sugar. No honey was required; the natural sweetness hit just the right note. It rivalled Quaker, largely on price, yet narrowly missed the top spot. Rating: 8.5/10.
1) M&S Traditional Porridge – £1 for 70g
Rising above all competitors, M&S Traditional Porridge delivered a gloriously thick, creamy pot that was thoroughly enjoyable without any honey, despite containing a modest 4.1g of sugar. In terms of flavour alone, it emerged as the undisputed champion, with a texture perhaps closer to creamy rice pudding than instant oats. A drizzle of honey transformed it into something bordering on dessert — easily surpassing Quaker. Rating: 9/10.
