{"id":858661,"date":"2019-01-14T21:36:45","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T03:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=858661"},"modified":"2023-04-05T06:36:31","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T11:36:31","slug":"different-types-of-oats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/different-types-of-oats\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Difference Between Steel Cut and Quick-Cook Oats?"},"content":{"rendered":"There are many reasons to love a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning. The creamy dish is filling, nutritious and a welcome warmth on chilly days.\r\n\r\nHowever, if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re looking for, it can be tricky to buy the best oats for your morning routine. That\u2019s why we\u2019re breaking down two of the most common oat varieties: steel cut and quick-cook. It\u2019s time to learn the difference once and for all.\r\n\r\nGet our favorite oatmeal recipes here.<\/a>\r\n

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What are steel cut oats? <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\u00a0<\/strong>If you ever had breakfast at Grandma\u2019s house, you might remember her cooking up a big batch of steel cut oats. This old-fashioned variety is less processed than other types of oats<\/a>. It\u2019s made by dividing groats\u2014which are oat kernels without hulls\u2014into two or three tiny pieces.\r\n

Buy steel cut oats here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\nSteel cut oats take anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes to cook, but they can be made in advance and refrigerated up to a week.\r\n\r\nWhen cooked, steel cut oats have a thick, chewy texture. They\u2019re the perfect base for fresh fruit, nuts, honey or any other toppings. A \u00bc-cup serving of uncooked oats has about 150 calories and 5 grams of protein, plus healthy amounts of fiber and iron.\r\n\r\nAdd a little spark to your oats with these genius topping ideas.<\/a>\r\n

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What are quick-cook oats? <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nQuick-cook oats are likely a little more familiar. Like steel cut, quick oats start off as groats, but they\u2019re more processed. The oats are precooked, then dried, flattened and chopped into pieces.\r\n

Buy quick-cook oats here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\nThis process makes it easy to whip up a bowl of oatmeal in mere minutes, but results in a softer, mushier texture. At the grocery store, you can find quick-cook oats on their own, but also in flavored, microwaveable packets.\r\n\r\nEven though they\u2019re more processed, plain quick-cook oats still retain most of their nutritional value. They contain about 150 calories per \u00bd-uncooked cup, with 5 grams of protein. Quick-cook oats are also a good source of iron and fiber.\r\n

What\u2019s the difference between steel cut and quick-cook oats? <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe main differences between steel cut and quick-cook oats is texture. Steel cut oats absorb more liquid than their pre-processed counterparts, but they also maintain their shape. Each oat is still visible after cooking. Quick-cook oats tend to bind together, resulting in a creamy, porridge-like consistency.\r\n\r\nSteel cut oats also take much longer to cook. They need about half an hour on the stovetop, while quick-cook oats can be popped in the microwave for a few minutes.\r\n\r\nPersonal preference will determine which oat is better for your breakfast rotation.\r\n\r\nYou need to add these delicious oatmeal cookie recipes to your collection.<\/a>\r\n

Are there other types of oats? <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nSteel cut and quick-cook are not the only types of oats you can buy. According to the Whole Grain Council<\/a>, there are six different kinds!\r\n