Food
Fact-checked

At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Instant Oatmeal?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Instant oatmeal is a quick cooking form of whole grain oats that has been coarsely chopped, precooked, flattened between metal rollers, and dried. The oats may be mixed with other dry ingredients, such as powdered milk, sugar, or dehydrated fruit, to create an easily reconstituted breakfast food. While traditional oatmeal may take 20 minutes or more to prepare, the instant variety can be table-ready in only two to three minutes.

There are some trade-offs to consider, however, when using instant oatmeal instead of the traditional oat varieties. The consistency can be noticeably thinner and creamier than whole oatmeal, which means it doesn't have the distinctive "bite" many oatmeal enthusiasts prefer. Because the oats have been precooked, they may also be lacking in some of the nutrients and fiber found in traditional oatmeal.

Bowl of instant oatmeal.
Bowl of instant oatmeal.

Traditional oatmeal takes a significant amount of time to cook because the entire grain must be penetrated by the water to soften it up. By grinding, flattening and precooking the whole oatmeal grain, instant oatmeal producers significantly reduce the amount of time needed for hot water to penetrate and reconstitute the processed oats. The hot water can also rehydrate dried apples or other fruits, as well as liquefy the additional sweeteners and powdered milk.

Oats are a type of cereal grass.
Oats are a type of cereal grass.

Like many other instant or quick-cooking products, there is always a question about the taste compared to the traditional product. Instant oats can suffer in side-by-side comparisons with long-cooked oatmeals, but a number of consumers find the savings in preparation time makes up for any shortcomings in flavor. This is one reason why manufacturers often create an entire array of enhancing flavors, from brown sugar, to banana nut, to fruit and spice combinations. Some manufacturers also offer a higher quality line of instant oatmeal with heartier grains and more complex flavors.

Honey is a popular topping for instant oatmeal.
Honey is a popular topping for instant oatmeal.

Many home cooks use a quick-cooking variety of oatmeal which is precooked but not ground or flattened like instant. These "quick oats" do require some actual cooking time, since they are not designed to be reconstituted quickly in boiling water like individually packaged instant oatmeal. Some grocery stores may offer instant and quick oatmeal in similar canisters, so consumers should be aware of the difference. Traditional long-cooking oatmeals might also be stacked near their quick or instant cousins, so it pays to read the label before buying oatmeal in a canister. Oatmeal products sold in individual packages almost always contain the instant variety, however.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular DelightedCooking contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

aturetsky

Anon6475 - you're mistaken. It is prohibited to prepare instant oatmeal on Shabbos. Do some online research and it will tell you. Or, talk to your rabbi.

anon6475

FYI For Religious Jews: According to Jewish Law, instant oatmeal may be prepared on Shabbat since it has been precooked and adding it to hot water in a Kli Sheini does not violate the prohibition of cooking on Shabbat. For questions regarding additional laws of cooking on shabbat, contact your local Rabbi.

anon5616

What are the primary health benefits of oatmeal?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Bowl of instant oatmeal.
      Bowl of instant oatmeal.
    • Oats are a type of cereal grass.
      By: Liaurinko
      Oats are a type of cereal grass.
    • Honey is a popular topping for instant oatmeal.
      By: Sergii Moscaliuk
      Honey is a popular topping for instant oatmeal.
    • Traditional oatmeal can take 20 minutes or more to cook.
      By: minadezhda
      Traditional oatmeal can take 20 minutes or more to cook.