Just the thought of having my pantry stocked with old fashioned rolled oats gives me comfort. Because I know I’m just minutes away from a cozy bowl of oatmeal, or I can meal prep a week’s worth of breakfasts or bake up something warm and wholesome to share.
If you’re like me, you’re used to grabbing the same brand of rolled oats you’ve always bought. Or whatever’s on sale. Because they’re all the same. Right? That’s what I thought, anyway.
So I decided to put these four popular brands of rolled oats to the test:
- Great Value Old Fashioned Oats
- Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
- Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats
I tried them in my usual recipes for oatmeal, overnight oats and oatmeal cookies, just to see if the brand really mattered. I wasn’t expecting the differences to be all that noticeable, but I was wrong. In fact, I’ve completely changed my go-to brand of rolled oats.
So, if you’ve ever wondered whether the brand of rolled oats matters, the answer is yes.
At a Glance
Best Overall: Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
Best for Oatmeal: One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats
Best for Overnight Oats: Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
Best for Oatmeal Cookies: Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
Best Grocery Store Brand: Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
Best for Ingredient-Conscious Buyers: One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats
Wait. Aren’t All Brands of Rolled Oats the Same?
No. Although all rolled oats begin as oat groats—the whole oat grain with the inedible outer hull removed—brands can differ in how the oats are sourced, processed and certified. Those differences may influence how the oats cook, taste and fit your shopping priorities.
Sourcing: Brands vary in how much information they share about where their oats come from and the farmers who grow them. Some provide only basic product information, while others emphasize transparency and traceability. Sourcing doesn’t necessarily affect how the oats cook or taste, but it may be a consideration if you’re interested in learning more about where your food comes from.
Processing: Once harvested, oat groats are steamed and rolled into flakes. Differences in flake thickness can affect how quickly the oats absorb liquid and whether they cook up hearty and chewy or soft and creamy.
Certifications: Depending on the brand, you may see certifications and verifications such as USDA Organic, Certified Gluten Free, Non-GMO Project Verified and others. These labels don’t necessarily predict cooking performance, but they can help you compare products based on your personal preferences and priorities.
How I Tested the Oats
To put each brand of oats through its paces, I used the exact same recipes, ingredients and cooking time, swapping out only the oats and noting any necessary adjustments along the way.
Then came my favorite part: tasting them all side by side.
The Oatmeal Test
I made four bowls of oatmeal using a 2:1 water-to-oats ratio and cooked them all in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. I was careful to stir them only minimally, about halfway through cooking, to keep from breaking up the grains, which can make oatmeal sticky or gluey.
What I was looking for: Soft, tender and creamy with a slightly chewy texture and natural oat flavor.
The Overnight Oats Test
Overnight oats are a great way to try different brands of rolled oats. Because the oats aren’t cooked, their natural texture and ability to absorb liquid become much more noticeable.
I used my go-to recipe: ½ cup oats, ½ cup almond milk, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and a splash of maple syrup. Then I stirred them, covered them and let them sit in the fridge overnight.
What I was looking for: Thick, soft and creamy oats with the liquid fully absorbed.
The Oatmeal Cookie Test
Whatever brand of rolled oats I keep in the pantry needs to do well in baked goods, so for me, this was the ultimate test.
I used this Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe, substituting the gluten free flour with regular all-purpose flour and swapping in each of the brands of oats I tested. Also, instead of all raisins, I went half raisins and half chocolate chips. Because…chocolate.
What I was looking for: Soft and thick cookies with chewy centers and slightly crispy edges.
Sourcing & Certifications
I also noted each brand’s sourcing information and certifications, including organic, certified gluten-free, and other third-party verifications. While these weren’t ranking factors, they may influence your purchasing decision.
The Results
Without further ado, here are the results of my search for the best brand of rolled oats, tested in oatmeal, overnight oats and oatmeal cookies.
Great Value Old Fashioned Oats
These were the least expensive oats I tested and were readily available at my local Walmart. Right away, I noticed the flakes were thinner than the other brands, which ultimately showed up in the finished recipes.
Great Value Old Fashioned Oats don’t carry certifications like USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or Certified Gluten Free. Walmart does offer an Organic Old Fashioned Oats option, but I wasn’t able to find a gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oat version, only gluten-free quick oats.
Oatmeal
I wanted this to turn out better than it did, so I made it twice. Both times, it was mushy, gluey and bland. After sitting for a few minutes, it needed more liquid to loosen it up to the texture I prefer, and toppings like brown sugar and fruit helped improve the flavor.
Overnight Oats
I expected Great Value overnight oats to be as soft as the cooked oatmeal, and they were. The flakes broke down to the point of falling apart, and the flavor was bland. While yogurt, fruit and a little sweetener improved the flavor, I still couldn’t get over the too-soft texture.
Oatmeal Cookies
The Great Value oatmeal cookies spread the most and had the least amount of oat texture, but I still enjoyed them. The oat flavor was barely noticeable, which was fine because it let the flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins and chocolate chips stand out.
Overall: The oatmeal and overnight oats were my least favorite uses of Great Value oats because the oats were just too soft for my preference. Even though the cookies spread more than the other brands and the oat texture and flavor were less prominent, they still tasted great and were the most successful of the three tests.
Best Use: Oatmeal Cookies
Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
🏆Award: Best Grocery Store Brand
Quaker Old Fashioned Oats have been my go-to brand for years. They’re affordable and easy to find in just about any grocery store. These flakes felt thicker than Great Value, though not quite as hearty as Bob’s Red Mill or One Degree, so I had a feeling they’d hold up fairly well in my tests.
The oats I tested are Non-GMO Project Verified and carry the American Heart Association Heart-Check mark. Quaker also offers an organic version of its old-fashioned oats, though I was only able to find it online. If you need gluten-free oats, Quaker offers certified gluten-free options in select products, including its Quick 1-Minute Oats and Instant Oatmeal.
Oatmeal
This is the oatmeal I’ve been eating all my life, so everything about it was very familiar. It took a bit longer to cook and absorb the liquid, but the oats were soft and creamy. The flavor was more neutral than the others, which, until I’d tried premium brands of oatmeal, was honestly what I thought all oatmeal tasted like.
Overnight Oats
I often use Quaker oats for my overnight oats, so I didn’t think this would register as much of a test. The oats were soft, but still held their texture, and the flavor was mild. It tasted the way they always do. But when I went back and forth between these and the others, I realized the oat flavor could have tasted “oatier”.
Oatmeal Cookies
The Quaker rolled oats baked up nice and soft in the cookies, keeping a slightly chewy texture. They spread less than the Great Value and just a little bit more than Bob’s Red Mill and One Degree. The flavor was more neutral, which I didn’t mind because it allowed the other flavors (hello, chocolate chips!) to take center stage.
Overall: The oatmeal and overnight oats were comforting and nostalgic, though they weren’t as flavorful as some of the other brands. The cookies had a moderate spread and nice chew. Quaker didn’t take first place in any of the tests, but they’re still an affordable, solid choice for all three uses.
Best Use: Overnight oats, oatmeal cookies
Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
🏆 Awards: Best Overall, Best for Overnight Oats, Best for Oatmeal Cookies
Bob’s Red Mill is a premium, employee-owned brand with a long-standing reputation for quality ingredients. The Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats had noticeably heartier flakes than the Great Value and Quaker oats, so I expected them to hold up well.
The oats I tested are 100% whole grain, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Kosher. Bob’s Red Mill also offers Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats for those looking for a gluten-free option.
Oatmeal
Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal needed a little more liquid after cooking, but once I gently mixed it in, it was the perfect combination of soft and creamy, with a little chewy texture. And the oat flavor was pleasantly nutty.
Overnight Oats
One taste of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats in overnight oats made me realize that oats are actually supposed to taste nutty and sweet. The oats softened nicely in the milk, held their shape without breaking down and had a slightly chewy texture.
Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies were soft with chewy centers and slightly crispy edges. The texture of the oats was distinctive, yet soft and tender, and they spread just enough to keep them nice and thick. I was able to pick up the natural nutty oat flavor, which was the perfect complement to the other flavors in the cookies.
Overall: This was my second-favorite bowl of oatmeal and my top choice for overnight oats and oatmeal cookies, making it easy to crown Bob’s Red Mill Best Overall. In fact, these are the oats I’ll be buying from now on.
Best Use: Oatmeal, overnight oats, oatmeal cookies
One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats
🏆 Awards: Best for Oatmeal, Best for Ingredient-Conscious Buyers
One Degree Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats is another premium brand, priced similarly to Bob’s Red Mill. I picked up the giant bag at Costco, where they cost a bit less. The flakes felt soft yet substantial, so I anticipated they would compare closely to Bob’s Red Mill.
The oats I tested are 100% whole grain, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, Kosher and BioChecked Non-Glyphosate Certified. One Degree also stands out for its commitment to transparency. Each package includes a QR code that lets you trace the oats back to the farm where they were grown and learn more about the farmers.
Oatmeal
This was my favorite bowl of oatmeal, even though the oats foamed up in the microwave, kept wanting to boil over and took a bit longer to cook. They softened beautifully with a creamy texture, while still maintaining a hearty chew. And the flavor was oaty and slightly sweet.
Overnight Oats
The One Degree overnight oats were very similar to Bob’s Red Mill in terms of texture and flavor. They were soft and slightly chewy, though not quite as creamy, and didn’t fall apart after soaking overnight. And the flavor was nutty and oaty.
Oatmeal Cookies
These were my second-favorite oatmeal cookies, and only by a thin margin. They were similarly thick, soft and chewy as the Bob’s Red Mill cookies, with minimal spread and a sweet oat flavor.
Overall: One Degree Sprouted Oats was my favorite brand of rolled oats for oatmeal and came in a close second for overnight oats and oatmeal cookies. So I’m awarding them the runner-up “Second Best Overall” sash.
Best Use: Oatmeal, overnight oats, oatmeal cookies
Final Thoughts
I went into this taste test expecting all four brands of rolled oats to perform about the same. After all, oats are oats…right? But after making bowl after bowl of oatmeal and overnight oats and eating countless oatmeal cookies, I came away with a completely different perspective.
Bob’s Red Mill and One Degree were neck and neck throughout my testing. Both delivered hearty texture, fresh oat flavor and consistently excellent results. In the end, Bob’s Red Mill earned my top overall spot because it excelled in all three tests and made my favorite overnight oats and oatmeal cookies. But if your idea of the perfect breakfast is a warm bowl of oatmeal, One Degree just might be your winner.
Quaker proved why it’s been a pantry staple for generations. It’s dependable, affordable and performed well across the board. Great Value, while my least favorite for oatmeal and overnight oats, still turned out delicious cookies and is a solid budget-friendly option.
The truth is, the best rolled oats are the ones that fit the way you cook and what you enjoy eating. If you’re looking for the most flavorful, hearty oats, I’d happily recommend either Bob’s Red Mill or One Degree. If convenience, familiarity or price matter most, Quaker and Great Value still have their place in the pantry.
One thing’s for sure: after this side-by-side comparison, I’ll never assume all brands of rolled oats are the same again.
