Is There a Difference Between Steel Cut Oats and Old Fashioned Oats

On a dank wintertime morn, a warm bowl of oatmeal is a delicious (and comforting!) manner to start the 24-hour interval. But deciding which kind of oatmeal to make — traditional, steel-cutting, quick cook, or instant — can be tricky. Is one healthier than the other? More than satisfying? Tastier?

You Tin can't Go Wrong

What's the Departure?

Quondam Fashioned:

flatened grains; cook in 5-10 minutes; business firm texture

Quick Cook:

Thin grains; cook in one minute; smooth texture

Steel Cut:

Chopped grains; cook in 20-30 minutes; chewy texture

Instant:

Sparse and finely chopped grains; microwave in minutes; soft texture

Before nosotros break down the difference between your iv options, let'due south start with what they take in common. Offset of all, they're all good for you. Every bit a daily part of a diet depression in saturated fatty and cholesterol, whole grain oatmeal, in any of these forms, may help reduce the gamble of centre disease. All oats begin as groats, or kernels of grain that are later processed into different varieties. The variations in processing determine the type of oat that results.

Related: Surprising Uses For Oats

The Breakdown

So what's the difference between the four most popular types of oats? Here's a crib canvas...

Erstwhile Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — normally in nigh 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.

Steel Cut: These oats, which take well-nigh twenty-30 minutes to fix, are chopped into tiny pieces and take a tough texture before they are cooked. Also called Irish oatmeal, steel-cutting oatmeal is chewier than rolled or instant.

Quick Melt: If yous want stove-cooked oats only are in a bustle, these oats, which cook in one minute, are a great selection. They can also be microwaved.

Instant Keen for mornings when you need a quick bite, individually packed instant oats are a thinner, more than finely chopped version of rolled oats. They microwave in minutes, and accept a soft texture.

Choosing your oat is largely almost the texture you prefer and the cooking fourth dimension you lot're willing to dedicate. The skillful news? All are healthy options. Win, win.

What'due south The Difference Between Steel Cutting and One-time Fashioned Oats?

A quick breakdown of what y'all demand to know well-nigh the ii breakfast favorites.

Expert Insight

A Quaker nutrition expert weighs in on the unlike oats, and reveals her favorite savory oatmeal recipe.

Brand Exceptions

It is unrealistic to expect your child to never eat sweets or other unhealthy snacks. It would be better to allow her to sample these foods on occasion than to ban them entirely. Doing this may help curb her curiosity nigh these foods without undermining the values of good nutrition you have instilled in her.

Lori Alexander, MSc. MBA,
Director, Nutrition Sciences PepsiCo Global R&D

Q: Are there major differences in the wellness benefits of steel-cutting, rolled and instant oats? If and then, what are they?

A: Dandy question, and 1 that we go a lot. There aren't whatsoever major differences in the nutrition benefits of the three types of oats. All forms of oats are 100% whole grain, a good source of fiber and take the same nutritional data – aforementioned calories, fiber and protein per serving.

Q: Besides shape, texture and cooking time, are at that place any other important differences between these iii pop types of oats?

A: You hit on the major differences –shape, texture and cooking fourth dimension. There are likewise culinary and personal preferences! For some people, that preparation time is a huge deciding factor. For other people, texture is important, and they find the delicious seize with teeth of steel-cut oats more desirable. If you're using oats in a not-oatmeal recipe, it is important to use what's called for and so that the recipe comes out right. You wouldn't want to put steel-cut oats in an energy bite, for case! Otherwise, all 3 are swell options.

Q: It sometimes seems as if, when it comes to food, convenience comes at the price of health. Are instant oats still a healthy breakfast pick?

A: Absolutely! As I said, the benefits really don't differ between the three types of oats. Besides, we know that at that place are wellness benefits to eating breakfast, specially when information technology comes to diet quality and weight management. Additionally, Quaker provides so many season choices, besides equally improve-for-you options to meet people'south preferences, like plain and reduced saccharide, so at that place'southward no need to skip out or call back that instant oats aren't healthy. Instant oats are definitely a great manner for consumers to enjoy a healthy breakfast.

Q: Do you take any preparation tips for rolled or steel-cutting oatmeal? Any tricks for the best results?

A: Give the oats the fourth dimension they need to cook. If mornings are tight, consider making overnight oats with rolled oats, or put steel-cutting oats in the slow-cooker while you're comatose. Otherwise, don't rush the process. Also, consider using different liquids to cook your oats in. Other than water, my ii favorites are milk or fifty-fifty broth, if yous're doing a savory oat.

Q: Practice you take a favorite oat recipe?

A: One of the benefits of being on the Nutrition team is that I get to endeavour new flavors and retrieve about different flavor options. Information technology's hard to cull a favorite. Oats are so versatile, and there are then many dissimilar things you tin practise with them. Still, at that place are two different recipes I'1000 loving. During the week, I actually savor overnight oats, which I make with Greek yogurt, chia seeds and whatsoever fruit I have in the house. On the weekends, I similar brunch-style savory oats. I'll add together some shredded cheese, chopped spinach and a poached egg, topped with cracked pepper or hot sauce.

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