What is the allure of 'steel-cut oats'?

[Aristus]

I don't care what cuts the oats as long as they make for decent oatmeal and cookies.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Most Americans think of rolled oats, most commonly available

Steel-cut oats look quite different; they're sometimes called 'pinhead' oats. Cooking time is much longer, and I doubt anyone would want cookies made from them. The oatmeal made from them is different too, with a chewy texture. As for steel, it's the most efficient metal for cutting blades; in fact, nothing else would work economically.

[Aristus]

2. Learn something new every day.

[hlthe2b]

9. Steel-cut take a lot longer to cook, too. But contrary to misperceptions, they have same fiber

content as rolled oats.

[Cirque du So-What]

10. Fiber, yes

Nutrients? Some B-vitamins may be lost in processing/rolling. Purists should stick to groats - the whole, unprocessed oat kernel.

[VMA131Marine]

3. Now - with pictures!

https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-steel-cut-rolled-and-instant-oats-138355

[csziggy]

7. Thank you! Great article.

[thbobby]

4. Tried them, didn't like

Slow to cook and same nutritional value. I don't use quick cooking oats, but rolled oats are fine.

[cyclonefence]

5. The real difference is that rolled oats are "pre-cooked"

"Also called old-fashioned or whole oats, rolled oats look like flat, irregularly round, slightly textured discs. When processed, the whole grains of oats are first steamed to make them soft and pliable, then pressed to flatten them. "

source cited above

[csziggy]

8. What kind of oats are most common in the UK?

I prefer rolled oats, especially Bob's Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, because I like the texture.

My husband and I are planning a trip to the UK next year and I am wondering what kind of oats I might find there. We will probably rent a cottage and so will cooking many of our meals so I need to learn what to buy to make our preferred meals!

[hlthe2b]

11. I think steel cut are widely eaten in both UK and Ireland...

Brits I know who moved to US were amazed at how many types/brands of oats are sold here.

Still, you can probably find rolled oats there too.

BTW, I have a container of both here. I tend to use rolled oats more often, but don't really mind steel cut--just the extra time to cook and they are more expensive (but if you have an instapot, you are golden!)

[csziggy]

12. I tired steel cut but did not like the texture

I much prefer rolled oats, cooked with less liquid than normal so they are very thick. Stir in a little butter and top with demeara sugar - Yum!

We'll just have to adapt to the local foods, I guess.

[Laffy Kat]

13. I think the steel-cut oats have a chewier texture.

Once I tried them I didn't want rolled oats. OTOH, rolled oats are for cookies, I wouldn't add steel-cut to muffins or cookies.

[blogslut]

14. Never tried them but I hear they're not as slimy.

I'm a farina fan.

[NotASurfer]

15. I like to toast steel cut oats before adding water

Dry pan stirring to keep from burning, a little butter or coconut oil if that's your thing. And once the water comes back to boil and just before you drop the temp to simmer, it's right in the cook time range for quinoa if you want to add something to round out your protein a little.

So far as cookies...I'm not Scottish enough to have tackled oatcakes, closest thing I can come up with off the top of my head!

Late thought - maybe it was Panera that has steel cut oatmeal on their breakfast menu

[Major Nikon]

16. I prefer them to rolled oats

The texture is different as they have a kind of nutty mouthfeel. They also hold up better IMO when held warm for long periods compared to rolled oats that tend to disintegrate and get all mushy. I like to put a batch of them in a crock pot when I have several guests staying over and waking up at different times. That way a hot breakfast is always ready for thems that want it.