30 Recipes using oats-a cheap pantry staple (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

The bottom line

Adding nutritious toppings to oatmeal can boost its flavor and contribute to its health benefits. Try adding fruit for sweetness, veggies or eggs for a savory twist, or sources of protein and fat to make it a balanced meal.

Old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking oats are basically interchangeable, although they will slightly change your final dish. 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.

OLD FASHIONED QUAKER OATS

Boil water or milk and salt. Stir in oats. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat; stir occasionally.

This suggests oats can be consumed every day. However, since oats are high in fiber, you may notice changes in your stool's appearance and the frequency at which you poop. Consuming an excess amount of oats may also lead to decreased nutrient absorption.

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away. When applied to the skin: Lotion containing oat extract is possibly safe to use on the skin.

Compare 100 calories of baked potato to 100 calories of oatmeal, and you find a bit less protein (3 grams vs. 4), a bit more starch (18 grams vs. 16) and a similar mineral profile (potatoes have more potassium, but oats have more selenium). But potatoes beat out oats in just about every vitamin, as well as fiber.

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

What kind of oats do you use for oatmeal cookies? For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats. Can you use quick oats instead of old fashioned in oatmeal cookies? Yes, you can, just be aware that it will change the texture of the oatmeal cookies to be less chewy!

What is the difference between rolled oats and Quaker old-fashioned oats? ›

Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.

Shelf life of oatmeal

Similarly to dried rice or pasta, commercially processed and uncooked rolled, quick, or steel cut oats will typically last at least 12 months — and up to 2 years if the package remains unopened or the oats are stored in an air-tight container (2).

Dried fruit like mulberries, goji berries, jujube, and dates lend chewy texture in addition to fruity flavor. Top with nuts and seeds for an extra crunchy, extra hearty bowl of oats. We like hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, and toasted coconut.

Technically you can add boiling water to regular oatmeal (like rolled oats), but the result won't be quite the same as instant oatmeal: Texture: Rolled oats need more time to cook than instant oats. Simply adding boiling water will soften them somewhat, but they'll likely retain some firmness or even a bit of crunch.

When in doubt, add nut butters for creaminess, sweetness, and plenty of good protein. We like crunchy peanut butter for added texture, almond butter, cashew butter, and even tahini. Throw a chopped banana and a smudge of vanilla paste into stovetop oats for creamy, delicious, banana bread oatmeal.

Try adding a serving of your favorite nut or seed (e.g. slivered almonds, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, ground flax seed, etc.) next time you have oatmeal. Nut butter also works here, but I do enjoy the crunch and extra texture that chopped nuts add to the mix.

According to Healthline.com, oats are a good source of carbs and fiber and are even filled with "important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds." When combined with the natural energy found in pure honey, there is no doubt that honey and oats pack a powerful punch when enjoyed together.

Is oatmeal safe to eat for everyone? Oatmeal is likely safe for most people, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, when consumed as food. However, it may cause gas and bloating in some. Hence, instead of eating a cup or bowl of oatmeal, start with a quarter cup and increase slowly to the intended amount.