There are several different types of oatmeal out there and today we are comparing two of the most popular: old-fashioned (aka rolled-oats) vs quick oats. Well look at everything from how theyre made, taste and nutritional differences, cost variance, and more. Plus Ill share some of my favorite recipes! Lets get to it!
Both types of oatmeal start out as oat groats. The main difference between old-fashioned oats and quick oats comes down to how they are processed and the resulting shape, texture, and cooking time.
(Quick aside: Old-fashioned oats are also called “rolled oats”. This is because oat grains are steamed and then flattened between heavy rollers, giving them their thin and flat shape. Why are they also called “old-fashioned”? I actually did a lot of research and even the internet doesnt know.) [feast_advanced_jump_to]
As you can see from the pictures, uncooked old-fashioned oat grains are large and uniform in their oval shape. They are a bit thicker and a tad bit darker.
Uncooked quick oats on the other hand are smaller, irregularly shaped bits. They are also thinner.
The difference in appearance is even bigger once the grains have been cooked. The cooked old-fashioned oats are a lovely golden color. You can still see the individual grains as they clump together.
Rolled oats and quick oats actually taste pretty similar. The big difference comes down to their texture. Rolled oats are much chewier while quick oats are much creamier and smooth.
The difference in texture might help you decide which type of oat you should use in a recipe. Rolled oats hold their shape well and give things a nice chew. This makes them perfect for baked goods and cookies.
Quick oats are better for blending into recipes. They are most often used as a quick breakfast (hello instant oatmeal packets). But they can also be used in other recipes to help hold things together, like meatballs.
When it comes to whole grains, the more processing a grain goes through, the less nutrition it usually has. In the case of rolled oats vs quick oats, however, their nutritional values are actually the same!
From the nutrition label above, you can see that both old-fashioned oats and quick oats are very healthy! They are low in fat, and have a good amount of fiber and protein in them. They are also high in iron.
Oatmeal doesnt naturally contain any sugar, but youll often see oatmeal breakfast recipes loaded with sugar! So watch how much brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or dried fruit you add to your morning oatmeal. You can easily make oatmeal unhealthy with the number of things you mix in.
Oats are naturally gluten-free. Oftentimes, however, they come into contact with other gluten products, like wheat or barley, during processing or transportation. So if you are a person who must seriously avoid gluten, you should look for oats that are specifically labeled “gluten-free.” If you are just casually avoiding gluten then any oats should be just fine for you.
Old-fashioned oats usually cook on the stove for about 7 minutes, while quick oats only take 1 minute.
For cooking quick oats, I would recommend using the stove or the microwave. I think you could technically use the instant pot or crock pot to make quick oats, but I think it would take a lot longer, making the use of “quick” oats pointless.
Oatmeal in general is very budget-friendly. It is a lot less expensive than most other whole grains.
Quick oats are just slightly less expensive than rolled oats. As of April 2023, at a Walmart in Washington State, you can get quick oats for 9.5 cents an ounce. Old-fashioned oats are 13.8 cents an ounce.
According to Quaker Oats, “If youre using oats in a non-oatmeal recipe, it is important to use whats called for so the that the recipe turns out right.” That being said, I have personally used old-fashioned oats in many a recipe that calls for quick oats and have had the recipe turn out perfectly. I would be more hesitant to substitute quick oats in place of old-fashioned ones because they can get mushy. Fun fact: you can actually make quick oats out of old-fashioned oats. Check out how here!
Neither! They actually have the exact same nutritional values. (See the nutrition section for more info).
Because of their texture, old-fashioned oats are better in cookies. In fact, if youre trying to make the best chocolate chip cookie in the world, consider adding oatmeal. A little bit of chew really makes soft chocolate chip cookies bonkers delicious.
Here are some of my favorite oatmeal recipes! Spiced Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins Zucchini Bread Oatmeal Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
I hope youve enjoyed reading about the differences between old-fashioned oats and quick oats. Let me know in the comments which one you prefer to eat!
When it comes to the two types you probably already have in your kitchen—rolled oats and quick oats—you can use them in recipes interchangeably. If you need quick oats, but only have rolled oats, just pulse the rolled oats a few times in the blender to get the textural effect your recipe needs.
Its baking time! Youre set to whip up monster cookies or oatmeal dinner rolls—and discover that the recipe calls for quick-cooking oats. But there are only old-fashioned oats in the cupboard. Can you cross your fingers, swap it out and hope for the best? The good news is: Oats are oats. There are a few types of oats, and the variety refers to the way they are prepared. Though certain meals and recipes will do best with whats called for on the ingredient list, if youre OK with a difference in texture, then swapping should cause no issues.
You can also make your own quick-cooking oats. Toss your old-fashioned oats in a food processor and pulse a few times to get them to mimic quick-cooking oats. Voila! Problem solved. Just dont do it too long or youll end up with oat flour! You might also encounter steel-cut oats. These oats have been chopped, rather than rolled, so theyre chewier, retain their shape while cooking and take the longest to cook. You wont want to substitute them for rolled or quick-cooking oats. But steel-cut oats are delicious in
Heres everything you need to know about substituting old-fashioned and quick-cooking oats (and one of our favorite hacks for making your own quick-cooking oats at home).
As you can see from the pictures, uncooked old-fashioned oat grains are large and uniform in their oval shape. They are a bit thicker and a tad bit darker.
Oatmeal in general is very budget-friendly. It is a lot less expensive than most other whole grains.
From the nutrition label above, you can see that both old-fashioned oats and quick oats are very healthy! They are low in fat, and have a good amount of fiber and protein in them. They are also high in iron.
Here are some of my favorite oatmeal recipes! Spiced Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins Zucchini Bread Oatmeal Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Both types of oatmeal start out as oat groats. The main difference between old-fashioned oats and quick oats comes down to how they are processed and the resulting shape, texture, and cooking time.
How to make Quick Oats from Old Fashioned
FAQ
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats in cookies?
What happens if you use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
What is a substitute for old-fashioned oats in cookies?
Why can’t you use instant oats for oatmeal cookies?
Can you substitute old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats?
If you’re substituting old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats, your final dish will be chewier, and it might taste a little oat-ier. If you replace old-fashioned oats with quick-cooking oats, your dish will have less texture. You can also make your own quick-cooking oats.
Is cooked oats more beneficial than raw oats or toasted oats?
It is recommended to eat soaked oats as this helps release some nutrients that the body can’t extract from raw oats and will also reduce the side effects of eating raw oats such as indigestion or constipation. However, raw oats are safe to eat and can be included in any meal.
What is a good substitute for oats in cookies?
Choose Your Oats Wisely: If you want a dense, chewy, and soft oatmeal cookie, there’s no substitute for old-fashioned oats. They provide a better texture compared to quick oats. Don’t Skimp on the Creaming: To get the right texture in your cookies, cream the sugars and shortening until they are light and fluffy.
Are old fashioned oats good for oatmeal cookies?
Old fashioned oats provide a chewy, nutty texture and flavor to oatmeal cookies. They are thicker and heartier than quick oats (instant oats). I don’t recommend using quick oats because the cookies won’t have as much texture and you want a nice and chewy oatmeal cookie that is hearty with lots of texture going on.