Are All Oats the Same? Rolled, Old-Fashioned, Quick & More

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Everything you need to know about the 5 types of oats—cooking times, substitutions, & more
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There’s nothing like a warm bowl of creamy oatmeal topped with juicy berries and a drizzle of peanut butter on a cold morning. But as you stand in the oats aisle of the grocery store, the sweet thought of oatmeal is replaced with panic—you had no idea there were so many kinds of oats! Should you pick rolled oats, instant oats, or steel-cut oats? Aren’t they all the same thing? Luckily, you’ve stumbled across the perfect article because we have all the answers, from how each type of oat is made to how they differ.

Things You Should Know

  • Rolled oats and old-fashioned oats are exactly the same thing and the words can be used interchangeably.
  • The type of oat depends on how long it's processed—the longer it’s rolled and pressed, the faster it’ll cook.
  • Different types of oats can be substituted for each other in a recipe, but it could change the baked good’s texture and baking time.
Section 1 of 4:

Are rolled and old fashioned oats the same?

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  1. The terms are used interchangeably and they reference the same style of oat. There are 5 different kinds of oats, though, and how long they’re processed is what makes them unique (and why they have with different names). [1]
    • The 5 different types of oats (from least to most processed) are:
      • Steel-cut oats
      • Scottish oats
      • Rolled or old-fashioned oats
      • Quick oats
      • Instant oats
    • Once harvested, oat seeds are washed and deshelled to form oat groats. Oat groats are then heated in a kiln and divided into separate processors. The longer the oat groat is rolled and squashed, the faster it’ll cook and easier it’ll be to digest. [2]
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Section 2 of 4:

Types of Oats

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  1. These two oats are one and the same. Some brands call them rolled oats, while others call them old-fashioned. Either way, they’re the same size oat and are flat and flakey. They take around 5 minutes to cook in the microwave or stovetop and have a firm texture. [3]
  2. Also known as Irish oats, these are the hardest and least processed type of oat on the market. Because of their hefty nature, they take around 30 minutes to cook on the stove and look like small kernels before they soften. [4]
    • These chewy oats work well in a crock pot or instant pot dishes because of their hardiness.
  3. Sometimes called Scottish oats, these are a hard, fragmented version of oats that makes a creamy porridge. The broken oat pieces vary in size and generally take around 30 minutes to cook on the stovetop and have a grits-like consistency. [5]
    • These oats can be made overnight in an instant pot or added to bread and cookie dough.
  4. These oats are essentially rolled or old-fashioned oats chopped into fine pieces. They’re about half the size of a rolled oat but have the same flat and flaky appearance. Quick oats cook quickly (go figure) at around 1 minute on the stovetop or in the microwave. [6]
    • Make quick oatmeal for breakfast with these oats or toss them into a muffin batter for added texture.
  5. If you use oatmeal packets, you’re eating instant oats! These oats are the most finely chopped and only need some hot water to prepare. They have a soft texture and typically come already flavored. [7]
    • Jazz up your instant oats by topping your oatmeal with berries, yogurt, peanut butter, or granola.
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Section 3 of 4:

Can you substitute oats in a recipe?

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  1. Most recipes call for rolled or old-fashioned oats because they have a firmer texture when baked. Quick oats can be used as a substitute for rolled oats, but they may make the baked good chewier. Meanwhile, steel-cut and stone ground oats can be used interchangeably when baking breads, but aren’t a good replacement for rolled or quick oats.
    • If a recipe calls for quick oats, but you only have rolled (or old-fashioned) oats, pop your rolled oats in the blender for a few seconds. Remember, quick oats are essentially rolled oats chopped in half.
    • Instant oats can be used in a pinch if you’re out of quick oats, but they may cook faster and give baked goods a softer texture.
Section 4 of 4:

Which oat is the healthiest?

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  1. Generally, all oats are healthy. They’re full of soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious breakfast or snack that’s heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly. However, pre-prepared packets of instant oats tend to have added sugars and sweeteners that can take away some of the health factors. [8]
    • Stock your pantry with plain, unseasoned oats (of your preferred type) so you can control the additives.
    • For instance, if you like brown sugar instant oat packets, make your own version with quick oats and a dash of brown sugar (rather than the 12 g of sugar in a typical packet).
    • Fruits are a naturally great way to flavor plain oats. Try slicing a banana or some strawberries into your bowl.
    • Substitute white or brown sugar with honey or 100% maple syrup for a less processed alternative. [9]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Which oats are best for overnight oats?
    Sporked
    Food Testing Experts
    Sporked is a team of expert food writers and editors dedicated to finding the best food products for consumers through in-house taste tests. Their reviews and rankings cover all categories of food and drink, ensuring that their readers will find the right products for their needs. Sporked is a part of Mythical, along with popular YouTube channels Good Mythical Morning and Mythical Kitchen.
    Sporked
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    Expert Answer
    One Degree Sprouted Rolled Oats are a great option. They're a bit on the pricier side, but they have a really nice, earthy flavor. Overnight oats can get bland and mushy, so these oats definitely stand out and actually have flavor and a lovely texture.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/S0x4RxuNAno?t=69
      3. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/04/12/oats-types-how-to-cook/
      4. ↑ https://foodhero.org/healthy-food/types-oats
      5. ↑ https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/easy-ways-enjoy-whole-grains/grain-month-calendar/oats-–-january-grain-month/types
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/start-your-day-with-healthy-oatmeal
      7. ↑ https://foodhero.org/healthy-food/types-oats
      8. ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/start-your-day-with-healthy-oatmeal

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