The Kitchen · Ingredient Library

Oats

In one line

Warm, humble and steadying — the breakfast that loves you back.

Why I love it

A bowl of oats keeps you full all morning, and they're just as good as overnight oats, granola, or blended into a smoothie for body. Cheap, whole, and endlessly adaptable.

Buying it

Rolled (old-fashioned) oats are the most versatile; steel-cut are chewier and take longer; skip the sugary flavored instant packets. Buy plain and sweeten them yourself.

Storing it

A sealed container in a cool, dry pantry keeps them fresh for months.

Using it

Cook into porridge, stir together overnight oats, bake into granola, or add a spoonful to a smoothie.

A little nutrition

A whole grain rich in a special soluble fiber (beta-glucan) that's genuinely good for the heart and keeps you full.

Gina's tip

Buy plain rolled oats and add your own fruit, nuts and a little honey. The flavored instant packets are mostly sugar.