When I was a child, my mother cooked oats on the stove with tons of honey and milk, which felt like a dessert for breakfast. These days, I play around with all kinds of oatmeal-based dishes. Baked Oatmeal For delicious oats with kimchi and spinach … you name it, I’ve tried it and likely loved it. I love a good bowl of oatmeal — they’re such a great, fibrous and versatile base to start the day.
When I recently went to the store to restock my oats, I realized that I’ve been reaching for the quick-cook option for years without even considering instant oats. This made me realize that I did not know the difference between the two. So, I set out to learn, and here’s what I found out.
What is the difference between Quick Cook Oats and Instant Oats?
Different types of oats you find at the grocery store are processed differently depending on how you cook them. The main difference between quick-cooking and instant oats is how the oats are rolled. Instant oats are diluted with instant oats. And because instant oats are precooked, they’re quick to prepare and soft when cooked.
According to Quaker OatsThere is no nutritional difference between instant cooking and instant oats. When it comes down to it, whatever you choose comes down to personal preference and how soon you want to enjoy your oatmeal.
Instant oats are often flavored.
Instant oats are often sold in individual packets with added flavorings, which require quick cooking in the microwave or boiling water. For example, Quaker Oats offers a bunch of fun flavors like apple and cinnamon, maple and brown sugar, and cinnamon and spice. Some have added fiber and protein – it’s easy to find a reliable and tasty option that you enjoy.
For instant oats, you’ll need to add flavors and toppings, which can be a plus or minus depending on your preference, how creative you like to get up in the morning, and how much time you have.
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Instant oats are pre-cooked, thin and therefore quick to cook. They are packaged in individual portions with added flavors. Quick Cook Oats are still a great option when you need oats that cook in a minute. You have to add flavors and toppings to them.
I’ll stick to quick-cooking oats because I like to season my oatmeal to my liking. However, I can have a few packets of instant oats handy in the morning when I’m running low.