If you ask me what are the best oats for making oatmeal, I would insist on using steel cut oats. However, the thicker pieces can take longer than 30 minutes to fully cook, so keeping rolled oats on hand is a good practice.
For this reason, I always keep a backup stash or two of old fashioned rolled oats in the pantry. If you buy the right brand of rolled oats, even the quicker cooking versions can make a delicious bowl of oatmeal or overnight oats!
Regular oats can be used to whip up a quick porridge, or in baked goods like cookies, granola and muffins, so it’s a hard fought battle to put a finger on the best rolled oats recipe. With so much versatility, how does one determine the best brand of rolled oats?
What is the best brand of rolled oats?
We used 10 brands of regular rolled oats to find a universally appealing oat that can do it all. It can be challenging to critique a product with so much similarity, but we tried our best to provide a comprehensive comparison.
Well, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting which rolled oats to buy. Aside from the brand name, here are some of the feature that make the best rolled oats:
- Flake: Chewiness and texture are the result of thick rolled oats. The size of the flake is the determining factor that separates rolled oats from quick oats. Ultimately, the shape and thickness of each flake will provide the mouthfeel and chewiness that many find appealing.
- Fragments: Rolled oats are oat groats that have been cut in half, steamed, and flattened. As a result, the pieces are large and whole. If you want pieces that are smaller and easier to cook, then select quick oats which have been rolled into thinner flakes that break apart into small fragments. A good quality rolled oats should contain whole pieces with very few fragments at the bottom of the bag.
- Taste: Freshness is key! Whole grain oats have a lackluster flavor that easily pairs with fruits, nuts, yogurt or your favorite oatmeal toppings! Look for oats that smell fresh when the container first opens, and taste hearty when prepared in your favorite oat recipes!
- Price: Of all factors, price is definitely something that should not be ignored! Th cost should not always be the determining factor, however it can play a roll in the final decision.
Our winner, Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Regular Rolled Oats, was the crowd favorite! However, that’s not the only brand we recommend. For our reasoning and the full list of rolled oats that we tasted, scroll through the list we have assembled.
Can you use rolled oats for cookies?
Rolled oats make an excellent addition to oatmeal cookies. In fact, rolled oats add a delicate chew to the texture of the cookie crumb.
The large flakes disperse through the cookie dough and give a delightful crunch. However, you can pulse the rolled oats in a blender or food processor to break the larger pieces into quick oat sized fragments.
Can you use rolled oats for overnight oats?
Rolled oats are the cornerstone of overnight oats recipes. Rolled oats leave a chewy consistency to the soaked oatmeal, without allowing the entire texture to turn into mush.
The flakes soak up the liquid, but still proved a slight tooth that is pleasurable to chew on. Rolled oats are a clear cut winner when making overnight oats!
The Bottom Line
Whole grain oats are considered a valuable addition to a regular diet routine. When you consider the benefits of oats and all of the recipe ideas, then there is no doubt that rolled oats play a valuable roll as a pantry staple!
The most important factors to consider when purchasing rolled oats are the flake, fragments, taste and price. The freshness and price point are fairly important because you want oats that are properly stored, packaged and taste fresh without paying an arm and a leg for overpriced food.
Old fashioned oats should be thick, and not rolled too thin like quick oats. Therefore, flake size and fragmented pieces at the bottom of the bag can impact the consistency of the product.
Whether you choose to purchase oats in bulk or single use containers, the decision is up to you. However, do consider the fact that it is easy to store bulk oats and purchases in bulk are extremely affordable in the long run.
Best Brands of Rolled Oats
Are you making a bowl of hot oatmeal, or using rolled oats in a cookie dough or overnight oats recipe? No matter what, we have assembled a list of the best brands of rolled oats for you to choose.
Oats have caught on as such a convenient and healthy breakfast, along with being a gluten free option for baked goods. This list will help you find the best rolled oats for any recipe you choose to make.
Sort through the options below and find rolled oats that are perfect for your needs. Decide between the flake size, fragmented pieces, fresh taste and affordability to pick the old fashioned oats that is perfect for you.
The quantity of oats range between 32 oz and 10 pounds. The sizes are perfect for a few serving of oats or a hearty supply of delicious oatmeal at bulk pricing, the choice is yours!
Bob’s Red Mill serves up a classic and versatile whole grain oats. The oats are certified by the Non-GMO project and the national Whole Grains Council.
The regular oats make a delicious wholesome hot cereal, a hearty loaf of bread and help retain juiciness in a burgers, the possibilities are endless! No matter what, oats are an excellent source of plant based protein, healthy fats and dietary fiber.
Here are a few facts you should know about this rolled oats:- Case of Four, 32 oz. bags (8 lbs. in total!)
- 100% whole grain.
- Kiln-toasted oats that retain high levels of natural minerals, fiber, and protein.
Start the day with a bowlful of tasty Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. The whole grains have a neutral flavor that is sodium-free and provide long lasting energy.
The wholesome ingredient is part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and the soluble fiber may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Quaker Old Fashioned Rolled Oats provides a neutral flavor for all recipes. This product is also:- Made with 100% whole grains
- 8 pound box
- Good source of fiber to support a healthy digestive system
Great River Milling old fashioned rolled oats are whole oat groats that have been steamed and then rolled into flakes. Consuming whole grains oats on a regular basis may help lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
This is a good organic product that supports a smaller company. Give it a try fro yourself!
If you are still wondering why you should pick Great River Milling old fashioned rolled oats, here are some reasons:- Contains 4 - 32 oz bags (8 lbs. in total!)
- 100% Non-GMO whole grains
- High in protein, fiber, and heart healthy fats
Fifth generation farm that is committed to growing better food! The oats are grown sustainable using the latest advancements in agricultural technology.
After harvest, the oats are minimally processed to preserve freshness and nutrients. From farm to table, this brand of rolled oats is for you!
Here is what makes it so good:- Support a small family farm
- Great source of dietary fiber, vegan protein and healthy fats
- Harvested in Canada
Augason Farms regular rolled oats are the perfect whole grain food for baking, breakfast cereal or your favorite rolled oats recipes! The oats are rich in protein, high in fiber and contains essential nutrients for a balanced diet.
The container is shelf stable food in bulk that offers many benefits from cost savings to waste reduction. Bulk sized, shelf-stable food is an economical way to prepare meals for large groups. The airtight pail keeps food fresh for up to 30 years when it remains unopened.
Here is why you should choose Augason Farms regular rolled oats:- 10 pounds bulk supply
- Perfect for food storage, emergencies, and everyday use!
- 30 year shelf life!
Starting with whole grain oats takes you back to the basics. Coach’s Oats are prepared in an entirely new way that is so different from other oatmeal, it’s patented!
The oat groats are toasted to bring the natural sugars to the surface, then cracked into small pieces. The patented cracked n’ toasted process means that Coach’s Oats are never mushy, always delicious and cook in just a few minutes.
Here is what makes Coach’s rolled oats so good:- Steel cut texture and taste that cooks in 3 to 5 minutes
- Whole grain oatmeal, nothing more, nothing less
- Cracked n' Toasted processing technique
Trader Joe's Gluten Free Rolled Oats will help you start the morning off on the right foot. This product is gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, and sodium free.
This Trader Joe’s brand of rolled oats is high in dietary fiber, low in fat and contains vegan protein. Try rolled oats produced by a brand you can trust!
Here is what makes it so good:- Gluten free
- Wheat free
- Dairy free
- Fiber rich
When you're hungry, a healthy organic option will leave you feeling full. Nature’s Path rolled oats are free from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
This hearty oatmeal is Non-GMO Project Verified and is packed with wholesome nutrition that compliments a balanced diet. Every bite of this gluten-free oatmeal features the classic old-fashioned oatmeal taste you crave and heart healthy nutrition your body needs.
What makes Nature’s Path Whole Rolled Oats one of the best choices is that:- Gluten free
- Organic
- Sustainable goodness
Another favorite brand of rolled oats were the thick oats from King Arthur's Baking Company. The oats are hardier than most we tested, which resulted in a longer cook time for the stovetop oatmeal test, they took eight minutes to cook.
The oats had a sweet and nutty flavor, and were quite pretty when poured out of the bag. All in all, this was another quality product that I would happy to eat on a regular basis.
Here is what makes it so good:- Delicate texture
- Even hydration while cooking
- Consistent product
- High standards of production