Steel Cut, Rolled, Instant, Scottish?

By: Cassidy Stockton | January 20 2011
When we think of oatmeal, we typically picture good old-fashioned rolled oats (or maybe quick oats). When you visit the store, especially our store, you'll find various types of oats that may make you wonder what the difference is between them. What makes steel cut different from rolled? What makes instant oatmeal different than quick? What makes Scottish different than Irish? Do they all have health benefits? Here's a handy little explanation that will hopefully clear up any confusion.

Oat Groats:

I just love that groat rhymes with oat! The groat is the de-hulled oat grain. Some grains are called berries, but oats are known as groats. Quite simply, the most intact form of the grain available in the market. Use this version of oats as you would other whole grains. Oat groats are a bit softer than wheat berries and make a wonderful addition to pilafs and soups. We have some wonderful recipes using oat groats that are packed with dietary fiber, such as this Creamy Mushroom and Grains Soup, a favorite at my house! [caption id="attachment_3373" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The oat groat is the whole oat kernel with the hull removed. Photo borrowed from culinate.com.[/caption]

Rolled Oats:

The most common form of oats, rolled oats are made from oat groats that have been steamed to allow them to pass through the roller mills without cracking and breaking. One cup of rolled oats can go a long way. Rolled oats are available in many different varieties, each of which refers to the thickness of the flake and cooking time required. The smallest and thinnest oat product is Instant, followed by Quick Cooking, Regular (Old Fashioned) and Extra Thick. Instant oats have also been pre-cooked to make them truly instant. Just add hot water and you'll have oatmeal. Most brands add sweeteners to their instant oats, but ours are simple, plain oats. We also offer instant oatmeal packets or instant oatmeal cups for an easy breakfast on-the-go. Most recipes calling for rolled oats, such as overnight oats, are referring to quick cooking or regular, but using extra thick will add an extra chewiness that some find quite appealing. [caption id="attachment_3370" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The most common oat product, rolled oats are flat flakes.[/caption]

Steel Cut Oats:

Steel Cut = Pinhead = Irish Oats. Steel cut oats are made from whole oat groats that have been chopped into two or three pieces, making for a much chewier cereal. They are almost exclusively used for breakfast, as they do not soften very well in baking applications. These are the oats used in the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship and you will find that they are cooked prior to being used in any recipes. You can find many wonderful recipes on the Golden Spurtle website, as well as our own, using steel cut oats. What makes steel cut oatmeal particularly attractive for breakfast, and the reason we tout it as the perfect fuel for your day, is how the body breaks it down. Because of its size and shape, the body breaks it down more slowly than rolled oats, preventing spikes in blood sugar and keeping you full longer. [caption id="attachment_3369" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Steel Cut Oats are much larger pieces than Scottish Oats[/caption]

Scottish Oats:

The true oatmeal, Scottish oats are ground on our stone mills from whole oat groats. They are not rolled, they are not cut, they are ground. The texture of Scottish oatmeal is fairly fine, though more coarsely ground than flour. In the United Kingdom, this is what they imagine when you say oatmeal. In the United States, this is what we imagine when we use the term porridge. It's creamy, thick and almost instant when combined with boiling water. This is what people would have made hundreds of years ago, before modern roller mills were invented. Scottish oats are wonderful for baking, as they are truly a more coarsely ground flour, like cornmeal. Oatmeal, cornmeal, flaxseed meal—get it? Meal is the next grind up from flour and below farina. We have some great recipes on our site using Scottish oatmeal, including one of our favorites, Scottish Oatcakes. [caption id="attachment_3372" align="aligncenter" width="252"] Scottish Oatmeal is very finely ground. Photo borrowed from recipetips.com[/caption] I hope this has helped answer the question of what makes each variety different. If you've still got a question or two, please leave it in the comments and I'll find you an answer.

156 Comments

  1. Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen)
    I loved this explanation! Honestly, I have had all, but the Scottish and I had no idea they were finely ground like that. I am a true lover of oats and sneak it in to almost everything I can. I used to be more of a quick oat person, but since I have been buying your gluten free varieties for my husband, I have changed my opinion. I love the chewiness of steel cut and rolled oats now. I need to get more oat groats so I can make oatgurt again. Thanks for sharing the specifics on this Cassidy!
    Reply
  2. Sandra S.
    If Bob's steelcut oats have 170 calories per 1/4 cup of uncooked oats does that mean if I eat a 1 cup serving of cooked oats that's 340 calories?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Hi Sandra,

      Yes, it would be around 340 calories. If you want to get really scientific about it, you can make the whole batch and measure into four parts- with each part being about 170 calories.
      Reply
  3. Sandra S.
    Thanks Cassidy!
    Reply
  4. Patti
    Help, I need the basic cooking instructions for Bob's THICK CUT ROLLED OATS. I repackaged them into an airtight container, cut the label off to attach it to the container but didn't get the directions for cooking. I'm unable to find the basic cooking directions here on your site.
    Thanks in advance.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Hi Patti! You can find the instructions here: http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes_detail.php?rid=889
      Reply
  5. Dale Watson
    I have been eating redmill oats for breakfast for years and never get sick of them. Each morning my wife chuckles as I eat my oatmeal... I easily eat 340 calories worth (probably more) yet I remain fairly thin; I think the oats keep my hunger away far longer than other breakfasts.

    Dale
    Reply
  6. Jessica
    Dear Sandra S. :

    If you are measuring out 1 cup of the oats beforehand, that will be equal to about 3 cups cooked, which will equal 680 calories. If you measured out 1/4 cup beforehand, it'll make 3/4-1 cup cooked and will be 170 calories (if using water of course).
    Reply
  7. Barbara
    I am trying to a make a higher protein instant or with only a few minutes cooking time oatmeal... I was going to try adding some additional Whey Protein Concentrate or Soy Protein Powder
    maybe some finally ground/navy beans-organic soy beans or adeuki beans...anything to up the protein content...I wanted to end up with 9 grams or more of protein per serving and be able to make it in large batches to store it for daily use...Has anyone tried anything like this...Any thoughts...
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Hi Barbara,
      Have you tried chia seeds? They are very nutrient dense, with 3 grams of protein per tablespoon, plus fiber, calcium and iron. They are a great addition to oatmeal and, unlike flax seed, you do not need to grind chia seeds before eating in order to get the nutritional benefits.

      You can find more information about chia seeds here:

      http://www.bobsredmill.com/chia-seed

      We are currently out of stock but should have chia seeds available again soon.

      Thanks,
      Amanda C.
      Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
  8. Laurie C.
    OK, I am flummoxed. I have a recipe for individual baked oat cups which calls for "quick" steel cut oats. What does that mean, and do Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut oats qualify as "quick"?

    Thanks,
    Laurie C.
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Hi Laurie,
      You will want to use our Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats (available in organic and regular versions):

      http://www.bobsredmill.com/og-quick-cook-steel-cut-oats

      Hope this helps!

      Thanks,
      Amanda C.
      Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
  9. Laurie C.
    Thanks Amanda!
    I will look for them at our Fresh Market, or maybe I'll make the trek to Whole Foods. I'll let you know how the recipe works out.

    Laurie
    Reply
  10. Kristina
    How will the Scottish oats work if I am making granola?
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Hi Kristina,
      We haven't tried this, but I think the outcome would be rather different from granola made with rolled oats, because the oats in Scottish Oatmeal have been ground to a meal. You could probably expect a much finer texture than a traditional granola. If you're using a recipe calling for rolled oats, you may need to make some adjustments to the cooking time as well, since the Scottish Oatmeal may bake more quickly than rolled oats. If you try it, we'd love to hear how it turns out!
      Thanks,
      Amanda C.
      Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
  11. Miguel
    I am confused by various sources that seem to imply different reasons for steel cut oats having a better health value. Do steel cut oats have more soluble and insoluble fiber than rolled? Is there more d-beta glycan in steel cut oats, and does this help to slow stomach emptying and cause a slower carb load in digestion? Are rolled and steel cut oats entirely nutritionally equivalent? Thanks.
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Hi Miguel,

      Steel cut oats and rolled oats are made from the same thing, whole oat groats, and the nutritional values are very similar. Rolled oats are more processed since the groats get steamed to soften before rolled, whereas for steel cut oats the groats are just cut into pieces.

      Amanda C.
      Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
  12. Jodi
    Hi Everyone at Bob's! I have to tell you how much I love your philosophy and approach! I may be asking the same question as Miguel, but I wanted to know if Steel Cut Oats are more nutritious than Scottish Oats? I ask bc I recall comparing the 2 bags and thinking the Scottish oats had more nutritional value noted on the package, but have always been told Steel cut have the most nutritional value?? Thanks so much!
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Hi Jodi,
      They are both made from the whole Oat Groat, the Scottish Oats are ground groats and the Steel Cut Oats are groats that have been cut into pieces. They are nutritionally very similar.
      Thanks!
      Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
  13. jennifer
    Can anyone advise as to which is the most nutritionally beneficial one? I don't have 20min-1/2 hour in the morning to boil groats or even the steel cut ones. I like all types of oatmeal, but I need to know which ones of the quicker cooking varieties are the healthiest. I've seen quick cook Steel Cut and this morning I tried Scottish and found them good as well. Can anyone help out on this one? Thanks
    Jennifer
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Jennifer,
      Scottish Oatmeal or Quick Cooking Steel Cut Oats are nutritionally very close to each other, and to regular Steel Cut Oats. They all both made from the whole Oat Groat, but the processing is different: Steel Cut Oats are groats cut into pieces, Scottish Oats are ground groats and the Quick Oats are Oat groats that have been steamed and rolled thinner than regular oats for quicker cooking times.
      Hope this helps!
      Amanda C., Bob's Red Mill
      Reply
    2. Debbie Byman
      Good morning!
      If you dont have time to cook steel cut oats in the morning, soak them over night! Just put the oats in a pot cover with water and a little more so wTer is maybe an inch above the oats. Then in the morning, strain out the water, add more fresh water, then it cooks fast, almost as fast as quick cooking oats - and it's better for you! ( I think that's what they call sprouted)
      I can't give exact amounts of water because I make enough for 8 people, but I'm guessing half as much water to cook it. You can also make extra and keep the extra in the fridge and just warm up the next day, it tastes just as good as the day you made it!
      Reply
  14. Marisa
    As far as which is "best nutritionally" seems the answer from the article is: "What makes steel cut oats particularly attractive for breakfast, and the reason we tout them as the perfect fuel for your day, is how the body breaks them down. Because of their size and shape, the body breaks them down more slowly than rolled oats, preventing spikes in blood sugar and keeping you full longer."

    @Jennifer, I agree, time is short in the morning! At home, we actually get the oats going the night before by bringing them to boil for a few minutes in the pot and leaving them to soak, covered, overnight. Then they finish cooking in 5 minutes the next day!
    Reply
  15. Darryl Moffitt
    I've been eating steel cut oats for 12 years and I prepare them the night before. I boil my water, add oats, stir, turn off, go to bed. In the morning just warm them up.
    Reply
  16. AJ
    Hello! I am looking at an oatmeal cookie recipe from Fannie Farmer from 1896. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of fine oatmeal. Do you think the Bob's Red Mill Scottish Oatmeal would be the proper choice? Something in the back of my mind is telling me that buzzing rolled oats in the food processor is not the same thing. Thanks!

    -AJ
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      AJ, you could use Scottish Oatmeal, but running rolled oats through a food processor would work, too. Whichever you do, we'd love to know how it works out. Thanks! - Amanda
      Reply
  17. Carl H
    Just thought I mention here that your steel cut (or pinhead) oats are just the ticket for making Goetta - a meat-and-oats product somewhat like 'scrapple' that's popular in the Cincinnati area. It may sound odd to folks who've never tried it but my friends from that area swear by it. This crockpot version looks easy to make. They swear it's one of the best breakfast foods you can imagine!

    http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-goetta-17274
    Reply
  18. Jonny
    As a Scot, this is so untrue. When we hear Oatmeal we think of the American style porridge (ie Quaker Oats style - very smooth, no texture).
    Reply
  19. Mary Whitehouse
    do your oats have any wheat in them?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Our conventional oats may have some contact with wheat, but we do have an entire line of gluten free oats (wheat free) that are tested to be sure they are wheat free. You can view them here: http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free-rolled-oats.html
      Reply
  20. bill beshears
    I cook quick oats with milk in the microwave for two min. is it the same nutritionally as old fashioned.?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Yes, the nutritional information is the same for quick cooking and regular rolled oats. The oats are the same, just one is rolled thinner. As long as you compare the same weights, all of our oats have the same nutritional information.
      Reply
  21. Jimmy D
    How are steel cut oats made to be quick cooking?
    Reply
  22. Jimmy Davis
    how do you make steel cut oats to be quick cooking?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Jimmy,

      Our quick cooking steel cut oats are cut into slightly smaller, flatter pieces than conventional steel cut oats. This allows them to cook faster. They are not precooked.
      Reply
  23. Ruth D
    Your honey oatmeal bread recipe calls for Scottish Oatmeal. Is it ok to substitute quick cooking steel oats?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      You could substitute them, but we'd recommend pulsing them a bit in your food processor if you can. Scottish Oats are very fine.
      Reply
  24. Ruth D
    Oops.........I mean quick cooking steel CUT oats. : )
    Reply
  25. Matthew Stark
    Which style of oat production can one eat raw, and still benefit nutritionally?
    Reply
    1. AmandaCarter
      Any of our rolled oats, oat bran or muesli cereals can be eaten uncooked. Try letting the oats soak for a few minutes in yogurt or milk before eating, to soften.
      Reply
  26. Heather
    I really consider this particular blog , “Steel Cut,
    Rolled, Instant, Scottish? | Bob's Red Mill Blog”, incredibly entertaining plus the blog post ended up being a remarkable read. Thanks,Leoma
    Reply
  27. Rachel
    Help! I'm very confused! How many calories is in 1/4 cup of cooked steel cut oats?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      One cup of cooked steel cut oats contains 170 calories. 1/4 cup would contain about 43 calories.
      Reply
  28. Rachel
    Holy crap cassidy thanks so much for replying! Thought I'd go crazy trying to find it. Thank you!! :)
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Sure thing! That's what I'm here for. :)
      Reply
  29. Fiona
    I love the Scottish oatmeal! But I'm stuck with a bunch of steel cut oats and am wondering if I can make them into 'Scottish oatmeal' by putting them in a blender for a bit so they're ground up more like the true Scottish oatmeal. This would sort of grind them, no? Any help is appreciated in helping me turn steel cut oats into proper oatmeal.

    Thanks!
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      You could certainly try that. I don't know if it would work, but it might. A food processor might work well too.
      Reply
  30. Carm
    I love steel cut oats, but your comment that they are exclusively used for breakfast is very wrong. Steel cut oats make a wonderful, delicious savory "risotto." And it much easier, because you don't have to stir, and stir, and then stir some more as you do in actual risotto. There are endless possibilities for flavoring.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Thank you for pointing that out! We definitely agree that steel cut oats are incredibly versatile. This article probably needs to be updated.
      Reply
  31. Laura Washington
    This is an absolutely wonderful article. I am on a quest to eat more healthy, trying new recipes using oats. This article has given me first hand insight into the use of the different varieties and applications for different recipes. I will definitely share this information.
    Reply
  32. michael
    OK, I learned just about everything one needs to know right here. What's missing is this: if steel cut oats are so much less processed, why do they cost twice that of rolled oats? Thanks.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      I'm not sure which brands you are comparing, but our steel cut oats and our rolled oats are pretty comparable- pretty much the same price per pound. If you're comparing organic to regular, there may be a larger discrepancy, but ours are pretty much the same price per pound. Alternately, if there is a large discrepancy, I would speculate that anything that falls out of the ordinary is more expensive. There are simply far more rolled oats produced in this country than steel cut oats.
      Reply
  33. JOULENE
    HI THERE
    interested in buying fine rolled oats a container a month
    please advise accordingly

    thanks
    Reply
  34. Amanda
    Hi,
    Do you offer baby rolled oats in your lineup? What is a good alternative? Thank you.
    Amanda
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      No, but we do offer instant oats. They're slightly larger than baby oats. You could try Scottish Oats, which are very fine and enjoyed by babies, but they're not as fine as baby oats.
      Reply
  35. melissa slisz
    I usually purchase steel cut oats-- and make a slow cooker overnight oatmeal recipe and I got the quick steel cut oats and I am not sure if I can still use for that amount of time/ recipe? Please advise
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Melissa,

      It should work just fine with the same proportions and cooking time. They may be just a bit more creamy.
      Reply
  36. Brenda
    If a recipe called for Old-Fashioned/Quick Oats (for a crust), could I use the scottish oatmeal instead?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Yes, you could use Scottish oatmeal instead, but it will be a little different.
      Reply
  37. Deb Goossen
    I was curious what process do the steel cut oats go through to become quick...I have bought the regular and the quick steel cut and notice a huge difference....also very curious if there is any nutrition lost in the process.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Quick steel cut oats have been partially rolled prior to cutting to allow them a faster cooking time. There is no significant nutritional difference.
      Reply
  38. Isabella
    For breakfast I have 1 cup with half quinoa and organic rolled oats. I first pour almond and coconut milk in a saucepan together with half a banana and pear (other times I use an apple or kiwi fruit) and bring to nearly boil then add the quinoa and organic rolled oats mixture and add a tsp of cinnamon. I let it cook for a few minutes. What a great breakfast. It keeps me full for hours.
    Reply
  39. Devon
    I've been reading more and more about soaking your grains, nuts/seeds, and legumes before consumption. Could you elaborate on your view of soaking grains as it relates to your products?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      We don't think it's necessary, but it can cut down on cooking times and make beans more digestible.
      Reply
  40. maryjane
    Do steel cut oats have the same nutritional benefits as rolled oats (which are steamed and rolled) or scottish oats (which are ground up)? Thank You.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Yes, in fact Steel Cut Oats actually are slightly better for you because they take the body longer to digest, raising blood sugar more slowly. We use the same oats for all of the types of oatmeal we offer, so they will be equally nutritious.
      Reply
  41. Beth
    I need to use non instant oatmeal to make Lactation cookies. Every recipe is different from extra thick to steel cut. Which of your non instant oatmeal would be most effective to assist with Lactation?
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Beth,

      They will all be great for lactation. I'd recommend regular or thick-rolled, though, for the best tasting cookies! Good luck!
      Reply
  42. Chris
    Hi - Where does your "oat bran cereal" fit into the Irish / Scottish / rolled continuum?
    Which is it most similar to? I am guessing the consistency is closest to Scotish? Is there any additional ingredients in the cereal? Is it nutritionally similar to the other products? Thanks
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Our oat bran cereal is the most similar to Scottish Oatmeal. It is simply oat bran, with a small amount of oat germ (it's very hard to separate entirely)- nothing else added. You can view its nutritional profile here: http://www.bobsredmill.com/oat-bran-cereal.html?&cat=12
      Reply
  43. Aimee
    I've been eating the 10 grain hot cereal in place of rolled oats in my diet. I'm on sparkpeople.com and they provide a meal plan for diabetics. Unfortunately it called for rolled oats and I can't stand the slimy texture of rolled oats. I found the 10 grain cereal and decided to give it a try. I've also added 2tbsp of chia to my diet daily and it's best in the 10 grain cereal. I've even tried it cooked in fat free milk with no sweetener and nothing but a pat of butter on it afterward. Its savory! I was amazed at how incredibly delicious it was. I've always had hot cereal sweet, but being diabetic now I'm not allowed. The cereal/chia combo keeps me very full until well into lunch and another surprising fact.... My blood sugar has dropped from 170 to 144 in 2 days just from adding 2T of chia to my diet. I recommend this combo to everyone. It's easily modified into sweet with the addition of some fresh berries or bananas. The recipes are truly endless! Thank you for such an awesome product.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Thank you so much, Aimee! What a wonderful testimony to whole grains. Glad you're doing well!
      Reply
  44. Christina Ambert
    Christina Ambert
    Hello,

    I bought your Steel Cut Oats today and I have a recipe that is calling for overnight oats. Are the two interchangeable?

    Thanks!
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Christina,

      I'm not really sure without knowing more about the recipe. Steel Cut Oats make great overnight oats, though, if that's what you're asking.
      Reply
  45. Jim
    Hello, I am in Egypt and nobody carries steel-cut oats. They do carry many Bob's products but they won't special order me a case of the stuff I used back home in Canada. There is "organic hulled oats" available however and with the useful info here on the site I am wondering if I can buy that and run it for a few pulses through the Vitamix to achieve steel-cut oats? I'm going by a very famous nutritionist's advice so I kinda want to do steel-cut but if steel-cut comes from hulled (I don't know if groats is interchangeable with hulled?) then I can't miss with hulled right? I also use your quinoa too with appreciation for its availability!

    Jim
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      Hi Jim,

      Groats = hulled oats. You probably won't get steel cut oats running them through your Vitamix, but you'll get something closer to our Scottish Oats, which are creamy and delicious. I'm sorry that you're not able to find the steel cut oats near you. Just keep asking and maybe they'll hear you.
      Reply
  46. Lori
    What is the nutritional difference between steel cut oats that take 20min to make and the Red Mill ones that take 5-7min?
    Reply
  47. Judith
    Hi Cassidy,
    I have been trying different combinations to make some heart/diabetic healthy *cookies*. My question; If I was to use the Steel Cut Oats instead of the Quick Oats called for in some recipes, would the cooking time extend or would I have to pre-prep the Steel Cut somehow to not dry out the cookie? Or, is it just an easy substitute and there would be no cook time differences in the recipe? Thank you so much.
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      We recommend at least soaking them first. They are not ideal for baking. It'll take some experimentation, but it's doable.
      Reply
  48. Brenda
    I love the Scottish Oatmeal. There is only one store in the city I live in that sells it. Other stores have all the other kinds. It is so delicious!
    Reply
  49. Bathsheba
    I have a British Baking recipe for fine oatmeal...does that mean finely cut oats or oat flour. Since it is British, I wasn't sure about the difference. Could I put the oatmeal into a blender to make it fine enough? Thank you, C
    Reply
    1. Cassidy Stockton
      I would guess it's probably more like our Scottish Oats, but you could use blended rolled oats.
      Reply
  50. Shelby
    Hello there! I thought some readers would like to hear about my personal experience with Scottish oatmeal! I studied abroad in Scotland in 2012 and fell in LOVE with porridge. Bob's Scottish Oatmeal is the ONLY oatmeal I have found in the U.S. that even comes close! I love it so much I even blogged about it! You can check it out via this link if interested!

    https://oakandearth.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/ode-to-oatmeal-scottish-porridge/

    This post by Cassidy was what helped me find Bob's Scottish Oatmeal so thank you so much for writing it!
    Reply
    1. Jessie Lennie
      Good morning, Can you please tell me is there a best before date to Scotch Oatmeal?
      Thank you. Jessie.
      Reply
      1. Elisabeth Allie
        Hi Jessie! Yes, it will be printed on your package.
        Reply

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