Oats are a popular breakfast food consumed by many people. There are different types of oats available like rolled oats, steel cut oats, quick oats, and instant oats. Quick cooking oats and quick cooking steel cut oats are two varieties that sound similar but have some differences. In this article, we will compare quick cooking oats and quick cooking steel cut oats looking at how they are processed, texture, taste, nutrition, cooking time, and cost to help understand if they are the same or not.
What are Quick Cooking Oats?
Quick cooking oats, also sometimes called quick oats, are made from pressed and rolled oat groats. Oat groats are the whole oat kernel with the inedible hull removed. To make quick oats, the groats are first steamed and then rolled into thin flakes. This process helps reduce the cooking time.
The rolling makes the oats thinner so they cook faster. Quick cooking oats take only 1-3 minutes to cook on the stovetop. The texture of quick oats is soft and mushy. They work well for making oatmeal, baking, and as a topping for yogurt or fruit. Popular brands of quick cooking oats are Quaker Oats Quick 1-minute, store brand quick oats, and Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats.
What are Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats?
Steel cut oats, also called Irish oatmeal, are made by cutting the whole oat groats into 2-3 pieces with steel blades. This creates coarse pieces that take longer to cook than rolled oats. To reduce the cooking time, some brands make quick cooking steel cut oats.
These are steel cut oats that have been chopped into smaller pieces. This allows them to cook faster while still retaining more texture than rolled oats. Quick cooking steel cut oats take about 5-7 minutes to cook. The texture is chewy with a bit of crunch. Popular brands are Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats and McCann’s Quick & Easy Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal.
How They Are Processed
Quick Oats:
- Oat groats are steamed and rolled into thin flakes
- Flattening the oats reduces cooking time
Quick Steel Cut Oats:
- Whole oat groats are chopped into small pieces by steel blades
- The smaller pieces reduce cooking time but maintain more texture than rolled oats
So quick oats are flaked while quick steel cut oats are chopped. The quick steel cut oats retain more of the original shape of the groat after processing.
Texture
The different processing impacts the texture:
Quick Oats:
- Soft and mushy
- Porridge made with quick oats has a smooth, creamy texture
Quick Steel Cut Oats:
- Chewy with a subtle crunch
- More toothsome and hearty texture
Quick steel cut oats have more bite while quick oats are softer. Steel cut oats retain more of their original structure during processing.
Taste
Quick Oats:
- Mild oat flavor
- Mixes well with other ingredients like fruit, nuts, milk, spices
Quick Steel Cut Oats:
- Full-bodied, nutty oat taste
- Robust oat flavor stands out when combined with mix-ins
The quick steel cut oats have a more prominent oat taste. Quick oats tend to be milder in flavor and blend with added ingredients.
Nutrition
Both quick oats and quick steel cut oats are nutritious options. Here is a comparison of the nutrients in 1 cup cooked:
| Nutrient | Quick Oats | Quick Steel Cut Oats |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 154 | 161 |
| Carbs | 27g | 26g |
| Fiber | 4g | 4g |
| Protein | 5g | 5g |
| Fat | 3g | 3g |
As you can see, they are fairly similar nutritionally. The quick steel cut oats contain slightly more calories and carbohydrates. Overall, both provide a good source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
Cooking Time
Quick Oats:
- 1-3 minutes
Quick Steel Cut Oats:
- 5-7 minutes
The quick oats have an advantage when it comes to cooking speed, only taking a couple minutes to become tender when cooked. The steel cut oats take a few more minutes to reach the desired texture.
Cost
Quick oats tend to be cheaper than quick steel cut oats. Here are some average prices:
Quick Oats:
- $2-$3 per 18 oz
Quick Steel Cut Oats:
- $4-$6 per 24 oz
The quick cooking oats usually cost slightly less per ounce than the quick steel cut. Steel cut oats undergo less processing so they are often more expensive.
Conclusion
While quick cooking oats and quick steel cut oats sound similar, they have some distinct differences when it comes to texture, taste, and cooking time. Quick oats are rolled oats that become soft and mushy when cooked. Quick steel cut oats are chopped instead of rolled so they retain more chewiness and oat flavor.
Quick oats cook faster, usually in just 1-3 minutes. They also tend to be a little cheaper than quick steel cut oats. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference. Quick oats make a fast, creamy bowl of oatmeal while quick steel cut oats result in a heartier, more textured porridge with robust oat taste. Knowing the differences allows you to select the variety that best suits your needs.