Should You Rinse Oatmeal First Before Cooking?

Oatmeal has always been regarded as a hearty and nutritious breakfast option. Better yet, this versatile grain is fairly easy to prepare. Simply combine water, dry oats, and salt, and cook on the stove until soft. Yet, have you ever wondered if you should rinse oats before cooking them? Even if you consistently avoid the mistakes everyone makes with oatmeal, you might still be perplexed by the idea of rinsing oats. Fortunately, if you're preparing a processed variety like rolled or steel cut, performing this extra step isn't exactly necessary, although it could still be beneficial.

While purely optional, rinsing processed oats may result in extra fluffy oatmeal. Additionally, since rolled or old fashioned oats have already been cut down through manufacturing, rinsing these varieties may shorten general cooking times further. That being said, you can absolutely prepare processed oats without rinsing them and still enjoy a deliciously creamy bowl of oatmeal.

On the other hand, when it comes to fully intact grains like whole oat groats, rinsing is usually recommended to remove any dust or debris that accumulated during the packing process. Once the water runs clear, you're ready to cook them. If you want to go one step further, consider soaking your oats ahead of time for additional benefits.

While rinsing oats isn't always necessary, there's more than one valuable reason you may want to soak your oats ahead of time. Soaking oats helps reduce their starch content, which, in turn, makes them easier to digest. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this.

If you're preparing processed oats and still want to cook them after soaking, mix together equal amounts of water and oats, and allow the mixture to soak for at least 30 minutes or up to two hours. Any longer than that might completely compromise the structure of the grains. Once your oats have been adequately soaked, add a bit of additional water and cook. You should be left with an ultra creamy pot of oatmeal.

Alternatively, you can make overnight oats, which are rolled oats mixed with an equal amount of milk or yogurt. The best part about overnight oats is that they are meant to be consumed cold, so there's no cooking time necessary. Better yet, you can make all kinds of variations; add pureed fruit or make matcha almond overnight oats for a fancy breakfast.

Whether you decide to rinse or soak your oats, take your oatmeal to the next level by adding some creative ingredients during preparation. Amp up your breakfast oatmeal with an unexpected drink by cooking grains in coffee instead of water or milk. Or, top your breakfast with secret ingredients that can upgrade oatmeal in a flash such as cinnamon, fresh berries, or a scoop of your favorite nut butter.