Are rolled oats and raw oats the same?

No, because raw oats are special oat kernels that haven’t been hulled, cleaned, and ready for processing. Rolled oats by contrast have been steamed and flattened by drums or heavy rollers to make them thinner and easier to cook.

What type of oats is healthiest?

All types of oats are healthy. It is sometimes suggested that steel-cut oats are the healthiest because they are the least processed form of oats. However, their nutritional values per serving are virtually the same as rolled oats. They also take a longer time to cook and may not be suitable for certain recipes.

Can I use regular oats instead of rolled?

If you’re making porridge, of course, you can. If you’re baking with them, stick with the type of oats specified in your recipe to ensure the texture comes out right. Also, if you’re sensitive to gluten, you should purchase gluten-free oats. Even though oats are naturally gluten-free, sometimes oats can be cross-contaminated during processing or even in the fields if they are grown near wheat or other gluten-containing grains. With that in mind, read the ingredients carefully before buying oats.