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Oat groats are steamed, then flattened with a steel roller. The steaming helps to neutralize some of the enzymes in the oat bran that would otherwise speed up the fats in the oatmeal going rancid. It also, along with the flattening, helps the oats to cook more quickly.

Of all the types of processed oats, rolled oats may be the one to keep in stock. They are the most versatile of all, and with microwave cooking, your bowl of morning porridge is ready so fast you barely have time to make the tea and toast.

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

"Old Fashioned Rolled Oats", such as those made by Quaker, are rolled quite thinly. These are also called "Regular Rolled Oats" or "Regular Old Fashioned Rolled Oats."

Thick Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

You can also find Rolled Oats that haven't been rolled quite as thinly; these are called "Thick Old Fashioned Rolled Oats."

Cooking Tips
The best way to make a bowl of porridge is in the microwave using Rolled Oats. In a bowl, stir 1/3 cup of rolled oats into 3/4 cup of cold water with a dash of salt. Put in microwave on high for two minutes. Halfway through, open the microwave door, stir, then close the door and let it finish. Done. Now, what on earth would you want Quick or Instant Oats for? And, there's no messy, sticky pan to clean up. You can eat them right in the bowl you nuked them in (mind, it will be hot).

To cook in a pot, simmer two parts liquid to one part rolled oats for 5 minutes. Soak the pan right away after you spoon the oatmeal out.

Substitutes
Don't substitute Instant Oats in baking; you can use Quick Oats though.

Equivalents
1 cup = 3 1/2 oz = 100g

Also called:

Other entries for: Oats

Instant Oats, Oat Bran, Oat Groats, Oat Milk, Oats, Quick Oats, Rolled Oats, Steel-Cut Oats

Other entries for:

Grains
Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Cereals, Corn, Flax, Kamut, Millet, Quinoa, Red River Cereal, Rice, Rye, Semolina, Sorghum, Spelt, Teff, Triticale, Wheat

Related Recipes

Grace Oulton's Wheat Germ Muffins, Quick Porridge