What if I told you that you were doing oatmeal all wrong? Break Thru Kitchen takes a deep dive into the best kind of oats to use for oatmeal. By the end of this article, instant oatmeal will be a thing of the past. 

Oats to oatmeal

First, it is important that we look at how oats are made. The process begins with milling which helps to remove foreign materials, which is essential for consumption. Next comes cleaning and sorting. During this, the oats have quite the shower, being washed under high-intensity water. 

Graders will then analyze the grains to make sure they are the proper size and density. The dehulling process comes next. During this, the hull of the oat is removed which makes sure that they are safe for human consumption. 

The oats are dried and then rolled, which helps to set apart each kind of oat. For example, Old Fashioned oats are rolled more thinly than other kinds of oats on the market. This aids in a smoother consistency. Lastly, the oats are roasted and packaged. 

Viola! Your instant oats are ready to be cooked and consumed!

Scottish oats

If you are looking for a certain kind of oat specifically for oatmeal however, then we suggest you stay away from Scottish oats. Scottish oats are oat groats that are steamed and crushed against two large stone wheels. 

Oat groats are just hulled kernels from oats. Any grain you find at the store can be called a groat. 

So, what is the problem with Scottish oats for oatmeal? Well, after the oats are crushed, they are much smaller and finer when compared to other kinds of oats. Because of this, they turn out to be more of a porridge texture rather than oatmeal. 

Instant oats

Although it is not everyone’s favorite kind of oat, instant oatmeal is the figurehead for a classic breakfast. It’s cut finer than other kinds of oats to decrease cooking time. Instant oatmeal typically only takes two minutes to cook, saving you time in the morning. Furthermore, oats in instant oatmeal contain more sugar compared to other kinds of oats, bringing some sweetness to your breakfast. 

This is not always a good thing though. See, instant oatmeal is mass-produced, meaning that it is precooked and over processed. In turn, the health benefits are not as great as some other oat options at the store, including rolled oats. 

Rolled oats

Rolled oats (also known as Old Fashioned oats) are the most common kinds of oats, and for good reason. The oats contain B-vitamins and are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, protein and iron. They are not cut as thin as instant oats, providing a less “mushy” texture to your bowl of oatmeal. 

Old Fashioned oats also do not go through the same rigorous process that instant oats do. When processing rolled oats, the husk of the oat stays intact, something that instant oats can’t follow up with. This provides a softer and smoother consistency. 

However, Old Fashioned oats do have one pitfall, the taste. When compared to instant oats, Rolled Oats contain less sugar, which can also translate to a milder taste. If you are looking for a sweet and healthy dish, then you may want to spice up your oats with fresh fruit or honey.

Steel-cut oats

So what kind of oats are best for oatmeal? If you said Steel-Cut oats, then you would have guessed correctly! Steel-Cut oats are oat groats that are cut by steel blades, giving them a rougher texture. Because of this process, steel-cut oats may take much longer to cook when compared to instant oats. 

It is certainly worth the wait though! When finished, the steel-cut oats will remain firm but will also have a creamy element to them, giving your oatmeal the perfect consistency. The oats also keep their delicious nutty flavor during the cooking process, which mixes perfectly with any topping. 

What kind of oats do you use for oatmeal? Tell us all about it down below!