Steel Cut Oats

One can refer to steel cut oats with different names. The common names with which the oats are referred to, include Scotch oats, Coarse cut oats, Pinhead oats and Irish oats. These oats derive their name, due to the process used to derive them. It is said to be one of the hardest forms of oats. They are used to make some of the traditional recipes, like the European porridge.

Little Information About Steel Cut Oats

You may be aware about how oats are processed. The steel cut oats are made using whole grain oat groats, which is the inner part of the oat kernel. At this point, you will want to know about rolled oats vs steel cut oats. The difference between both the types of oats, is the way they are made. The steel cut oats are cut into a few pieces using steel cutters, as opposed to being rolled. They are normally golden in color and may look like small rice pieces. Steel cut oats preparation takes longer as compared with the other types of oats, because they are least processed. It often takes about 15 to 30 minutes for it to be cooked. However, if they are pre-soaked, then they will take less amount of time to cook. The steel cut oats benefits is that it has much lower glycemic index as compared to the instant oats, due to which it causes lesser insulin spike, when it is consumed.

It is said that the steel cut oats nutrition facts is more than the other forms of oat. The quantity of vitamins and nutrients is superior to that found in the other oat forms. The steel cut oats calories is 170 per serving size of one quarter cup. No doubt, that the taste is enhanced in these oats. A lot of people opt to use these oats, as the texture of these oats is firm. You may choose to replace rolled oats with steel oats in recipes, however, you will have to increase the cooking time as well. Now let's read about cooking steel cut oats.

How to Cook Steel Cut Oats?

The answer to the question, how to make steel cut oats is many different ways. You can use it to make breads and cookies. At the same time, one can use it to make porridge as well. We will now see some steel cut oats recipes.

Steel Cut Oats Breakfast - Crockpot Recipe
When you have to go to work early, but you want to have steel cut oats for breakfast, then you can use this recipe. You will put the steel cut oats in the crockpot the previous night, so that they will be cooked to perfection the next day for breakfast. Remember steel cut oats cooking does take longer, as compared to the rolled oats. Let's take a look at the slow cooker recipe to make steel cut oats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup dates, chopped
• ½ cup half and half
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Cooking Spray
• 4 cups water

Method

• On the inside of the crockpot, spray the cooking spray.
• Add steel cut oats, dried cranberries, dates and water in the crockpot.
• Cover the crockpot and let it cook on low for about 7 to 8 hours.
• After the oats are cooked, add half and half along with honey to the oatmeal and serve.

Steel Cut Oats Breakfast - Saucepan Recipe
You do not have to always make steel cut oats in the crockpot. It can also be made in the saucepan and will not take as long as the crockpot recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 2 to 4 tablespoons dry fruits, like raisins, chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, etc.
• 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• diced fresh fruits like apples, pears, etc.
• 2 cups water

Method

• Put butter in the saucepan and add milk and water to it.
• Bring it to a boil.
• Now add oats to the milk mixture, but continue to stir constantly.
• Let the mixture simmer covered for about 10 to 15 minutes, however do not forget to stir continuously.
• When the oats are creamy and soft, add maple syrup to the oats and serve it with dried and fresh fruits.

If the steel cut oats have cooled down, then you can add warm milk to the mixture before serving. Alternately, you can add milk at room temperature to the cooked oats and reheat it. If you are a vegan, then you can use soy milk in place of milk or use plain water.