Instant porridge pots, tried and tested

After the Indian summer, a wintry chill has well and truly kicked in. No longer will a quick, light breakfast suffice; a warm, filling meal is needed to see us through until lunch.

Porridge is perfect: it's cheap, easy to make and versatile, and these instant porridges simply require boiling water to provide a morning energy boost. 

Sainsbury's Golden Syrup porridge pot

50p for 64g, Sainsbury's 

Very watery and milky, and a little sickly sweet. The flavour isn't terrible – it's golden syrup, after all – but maybe add a drop less water than instructed. 

6/10

Moma porridge coconut and chia 

£1.35 for 60g, Ocado 

The coconut and chia seeds provide a welcome crunchy contrast, but overall the taste is just a bit too bland. Needs a sweetener. Gluten and dairy free. 

6/10

Rude Health almond butter with sea salt

£1.50 for 50g, Ocado 

There's a nice crunch from the almonds, and the porridge is thick and very filling. Delicately sweet with a salty contrast. 

7/10 

Mornflake Top porridge Nutella

£1.29 for 77g, Ocado

Larger oats than most. A little watery. The Nutella works well, but would have loved more of it! Back on Ocado early next month.

7/10

Tesco instant oats cinnamon 

50p for 55g, Tesco

A tad runny, but very flavoursome, with subtle cinnamon hints. Not too sweet, and the oats remain quite chewy.

8/10

Wolfy's organic blackcurrant porridge pot

£1.90 for 90g, Abel & Coe

A nice, thick porridge. The jam, in a separate pot, is tart and balances the sweetness perfectly. A sweet and sour treat.

9/10