Breakfasts are often called the most important meal of the day. We are often looking for the oh-so-difficult-to-find combo of healthy and tasty for our breakfast choices.
Here is where oats enter the table.
So, should you opt for the convenience of overnight oats or stick with the traditional warmth of cooked oats?
What are overnight oats?
This bowlful makes for a cold breakfast dish. It is made by soaking rolled oats in a liquid of milk or yogurt overnight. This lends it a creamy texture in the morning which we all love and crave.
What are cooked oats?
Cooked oats is an instant breakfast dish that can be prepared in minutes. This bowlful of goodness contains rolled oats (or any other variety). They can be first soaked in yogurt or milk, before cooking to warm perfection. After cooking, they are topped with fruits, nuts or honey.
Benefits of Each
Overnight oats are a better friend for your heart and heart. How? Cooked oats may lose nutrients during the preparation process whereas overnight soaked oats are eaten raw. This protects their essential nutrients.
Did you know, the cooked and overnight oats affect our digestion and nutrient absorption too in very different ways? Overnight oats have a lower glycemic index, this means they are digested more slowly. This also helps regulate our blood sugar levels and provides energy which is here to stay.
Soaking oats also breaks down a specific anti nutrient present in them and this helps the absorption of essential nutrients like iron, calcium and magnesium more easily.
Cooked oats, however, may be easier on the stomach for some individuals. The heat breaks down starches, making them softer and easier to digest, particularly for people with sensitive stomachs. But because they are digested more quickly, cooked oats may cause a faster rise in blood sugar compared to overnight oats.
Which One Tastes Better?
While overnight oats have a thick, pudding-like and creamy consistency. This makes it a gooey bowlful perfect for morning indulgence. The entire meal is well-balanced and well-integrated.
Cooked oats too have a creamy fervour but its undertones of warmth and hearty fervour also make it irresistible and better in taste. The warm and hot bowl of cooked oats has been touted as the better and more fulfilling way to start the day.
Preparation
The major difference between the two lies in preparation and convenience. Overnight oats require no cooking at all, instead they are just soaked in liquid such as milk, yogurt or water. It takes them 6 to 8 undisturbed hours in the refrigerator to get their creamy texture.
On the other hand, cooked oats are made by boiling or simmering oats in water or milk and cooking until they become soft and thick. The cooking process typically takes a few minutes for rolled or instant oats, while steel-cut oats may require up to 30 minutes.
Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup milk
¼ cup yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
½ cup chopped fruits
1 tablespoon nuts or seeds for topping (almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds)
Instructions:
In a jar or bowl, combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir well.
Add chopped fruits and mix lightly.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours (overnight for best results).
In the morning, stir the mixture, add nuts or extra toppings, and enjoy cold!
Cooked Rolled Oats
Ingredients:
½ cup rolled oats
1 cup water or milk
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup chopped fruits (apples, bananas, or berries)
1 tablespoon nuts or seeds
Instructions:
In a saucepan, bring water or milk to a boil over medium heat.
Stir in oats and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the oats are soft and creamy, remove from heat and stir in honey, cinnamon, and fruits.
Transfer to a bowl, top with nuts or extra fruits, and enjoy warm.