Oh oats, how I love thee. Soaked, blended, bubbled.
And now, cracked.
Have you ever heard of Coach’s Oats? Coach emailed me to say that as the Dutchess of Oats I had to at least try every kind of oat out there. I’ve had steel cut before – not a huge fan. They just don’t cream and fluff up like I like and the cooking time is just not worth the wait! I like Scottish [ground steel cut] and old fashioned rolled oats the best. Definitely not a fan of instant!
Coach’s Oats are steel cut that have been cracked and toasted, which means they cook in 5 minutes instead of 25. [Note they are also microwavable too, but I would only use them that way on vacation due to my affinity for mix-ins and stirring.] They were invented by Lynn Rogers in 1992, who was the women’s gymnastics coach at California State University-Fullerton.
Note the differences from the Coach’s Oats website
Turns out, they are great! They creamed, fluffed AND had the chewy grain bits that folks love about steel cut.
I made them KERF-style – putting 1/3 cup oats (1 serving = 160 calories like steel cut) and equal parts water and milk in a pot set to medium heat. I added a pinch of salt, cinnamon, half a banana and 1 tbsp chia seeds and stirred until thick. They came together in 2 minutes! I stirred in some lovely blackberries and topped with dripped Smucker’s and a blob of Naturally Nutty.
Very very delicious!! The only con: I love the big ole bag, but I wish these came in bulk bins so they were even more accessible. At roughly $3 a pound for the 48 ounce bags, they’re also about 3x as expensive as rolled oats. [Although I think they are at Costco now? Which we don’t have here in Cville] But Coach, you have a new athlete on your team : )
Served with some gourmet cool coffee!
I’m all lubed up in sunscreen and ready to get my walk on! Taking a copy of BH&G with me for entertainment!
Errign says
I’m a total Scottish oats (bob’s red mill!) convert all the way, after seeing them on here! I like rolled oats okay, but Scottish is the best 🙂
Molly @ RDexposed says
Breaking out the bicycle cloth in honor of the great July biking extravaganza?
Kelsey says
I love steel cut oats when they’re cooked in a rice cooker – I’ve never tried them on the stovetop because they take too long! I wasn’t aware that there was a type of oat I haven’t tried yet – definitely going to have to track some down!
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
I haven’t seen them at costco yet but I’ll be on the lookout!
Stephanie @ Fear of Bananas says
I just got mine at Costco in the Denver area 2 weeks ago or so. Keep an eye out at you location!
Cait's Plate says
I so admire your ability to walk+read. I’ve tried SO hard but I can’t master it. I’ve switched over to audiobooks for that very reason 🙂
Those oats look so interesting – I’m really curious to try them! I love how fluffy the look like they got but I’m also happy there’s a little chewy texture to them – it’s like the best of both worlds 🙂
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
ohhh I have some coachs oats on the way to try! They looks sooo good! anything closer to the whole grain is good for me! 🙂
Have a wonderful walk! 🙂
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
I’ve only ever had rolled oats or instant – I’ve never seen steel cut here in Ireland. I love oats in all their forms so I’m sure they’d be yummy!
I’m thinking of composing an ode to oats…
Hope says
Those oats look so good! I really need to pick up a package of that brand. They look so fluffy! 🙂
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Coach’s Oats look awesome! I have never heard of them but I would love to try some!
Your oats always put mine to shame… look wise at least!
Jennifer says
Okay….I am DEFINITELY going to have to try those. I just tried steel cut oats for the first time about a month ago and I love them! Yes, the cooking time I can do without but if I can find the same great taste/texture in a cooking time of five minutes that would be perfect!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I’ve seen a couple of bloggers sample these… do you think they are good enough to warrent the additional cost?
KathEats says
Yes, definitely as a fun alternative. Will they be the oat I eat forever, probably not. But I really liked them
Baking 'n' Books says
Wait – do you read while walking?
Great photos – do you actually get that close to the oats or just zoom in?
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
So many different kinds of oats to try…so little time! 🙂
Amy says
I love that you walk + read BHG at the same time. I’d walk right into a street sign. 🙂
Hillary says
I just wrote a post on oatmeal and thought I had all my bases covered—then this post comes along, and I learn something new! Those look great!
Heather says
I have never heard of these oats – I don’t belong to costco but something to keep my eye out for.
The Teenage Taste says
Don’t you just love how peanut butter gets all melty when atop a hot bowl of oats. Makes my heart flutter. <3
Khushboo says
I am yet to try steel cut oats! I finally got my hands on oat bran which I am loving!
Susan (Oliepants) says
I love the taste of steel cut oats but I like you can’t wait that long on a given weekday morning. I love the versatility of rolled oats. I’m definitely willing to try out Coach oats!
Angel7 says
I do not really have a favorite oat, because I have not tried that many. However, I am going to try different ones.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Colleen says
How on earth do you walk and read a magazine at the same time? I’m sure I would trip and fall if I tried to do that. The oats look delicious 🙂
Elizabeth @ RunWithSneakers says
Ahhh. I had my hand on a big ole package of these at Costco just yesterday. But I put them down cause I wasn’t sure. Darn. I like steel-cut oats and make them often in my rice cooker in the cooler months. My hubby liked them too so we could probably plow through a bag quickly. Oh well, next time.
skinnyrunner says
i buy coachs at our costco and they are definitely NOT as good cooked in the microwave, much better on the stove!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Ooh what interesting oat education! I’ve never tried Coach’s Oats but they sound great. I’m with you on the steel cut – just missing the fluffy factor! Have a lovely walk!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
We got a little sample packet of these at FitBloggin this year. After seeing how nicely they’ve turned out for you, I’m definitely regretting just blending mine into a smoothie!
Julie H. says
You should teach an oat class on here! You seem to know so much and describe the texture *PERFECTLY* each and every time!
Margo @ peanut butter trees says
Those oats sound awesome – I started out back in the day with old fashioned rolled oats, then went to Bob’s steel cut, and am now a committed fan of scottish oats due to fluffiness but mostly due to quick cooking (I do miss the crunch of steel cut though). I love the bycicle linen in your photo – where did you get it?
KathEats says
It’s from Oh Little Rabbit’s Etsy store
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
Okay, so not only do I love steel cut oats more than any other type of oatmeal, but I refer to my boyfriend as “the coach” on my blog. I have to hunt these down now, they sound so hilariously up my alley!
Ann @ Day by Day says
Next time I make a trip to Costco, I’ll be on the lookout for these. I’d love the quick cooking steel cut variety! You’re like an artist with your breakfasts. They’re always so beautifully presented! These breakfast posts are my favorite out of the whole day.
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
I’d be interested in trying Coach’s oats b/c I eat “quick cooking” steel cut oats all of the time – they’re my absolute favorite — just 8 minutes, not 25. Love chia fluff!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love that they cook quickly! That makes it so much easier to have steal cut oats, which I love! Breakfast looks perfect. Enjoy BH&G…I really loved the latest issue.
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet says
LOVE rolled oats and have never tried anything else, though I definitely want to try this cracked oat 🙂 I think that eating oats is definitely part of my everyday routine, and for right now, I’m totally cool being stuck in my oat rut.
Eileen says
They sound great! I’ve cut way back on oatmeal since it’s been hot, but I miss it, so I made it this morning. I put it in the fridge for about five minutes, and it was delicious, but it STILL made me sweat. Breakfast shouldn’t make me sweat. 🙁
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Those sounds great! I love toasted things so I’d definitely try those out.
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well. says
Those oats sound great! I love the addition of the black berries! I’ll be doing that later today too with freshly picked black berries from our yard 🙂
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
I have never seen these but they look really good! Definitely a fun alternative.
Holly says
Will you be bringing Coach’s Oats to OpenSky? I’d love to try them, but sadly, we don’t have a Costco here outside Buffalo, either.
KathEats says
I will ask!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
coach’s sounds great – i’m love my oatmeal and like to get them in as many forms as possible!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I love those oats! They have a great texture.
Sarah says
I’m an old fashioned oats girl all the way. Except when I’m at school and then I have to go with the instant.. it’s sad but it’s true. These oats look great but I think I’ll be going for the college budget friendly oats over them
Emily says
They look so fluffy! Is it the chia/banana combo that does that?? Ive watched your oat cooking tutorial but somehow mine never look quite as good 🙂
Karen says
These sound interesting. Yet, I find that Bob’s Red Mill steel cut oats cook quickly when making only one portion, only 5 minutes more than rolled oats (on an electric stove) and I occupy myself with ‘getting ready’ activities while it’s doing it’s thing. I like switching it up between the rolled and steel cut, though I favor rolled on a daily basis.
Courtney says
These look great! I am a huge fan of steel cut oats, but I’ve (finally) jumped on the overnight oats bandwagon since the weather has warmed up. Do you think that these would work as overnight oats?
KathEats says
I think they would due to their quick cooking abilities and increased surface area
Lyn says
They work well with overnight oats… very different than regular ones, but tasty.
rumfunandsun says
I heart regular old oatmeal! It’s my favorite with bananas and cinnamon!
Chris says
This may not be worth your time, but I think it would be interesting to look into buying groats in bulk, toasting them in your oven, and seeing if you can crack them in your Vita-Mix. I have a VM and thought this would be something neat to try, when I read your post today. I am not working now, though, so I have more time 🙂
KathEats says
I bet you can – but I’d rather pay a little more and save the trouble 🙂
Annika says
Sorry, is it just me or does that plate of oats look a bit, erm… sexy?
Alaura says
YES! I was just scouring the comments to see if anyone else noticed! Delicious but definitely a little erotic as well. :-p
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
LOL! Just saw this too.
KaraQ says
Glad someone else picked up on this too. Ha.
Lauren says
Haha. I was hoping I wasn’t the only one, as well. The first thing I thought when I opened the page was “Holy crap! Lady parts in the oatmeal!”
Kathy W. says
Alternative title for today’s post: “The Oat Monologues.”
KathEats says
LOL Kathy!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Annika says
Ah, so relieved I’m not the only one with a dirty mind! :o)
Rachel says
Uh, yeah. All I could think was “Why did Kath make a breakfast vagina to show us?”
Hilary says
Mmmm……looks good! I wish someone would send me some oats…sigh!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
i love Coach’s Oats and love using them in my overnight oats too (but I cook them in big batch andn scoop some in my overnight oats). I add greek yogurt and the next morning, it is so chewy. Love the texture.
Yes, they are now available at my Costco.
wendy sue says
aaah those look good! damn cville for not having a costco!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Thanks for sharing the info on varieties of oats. These ones as pictured is surely delicious looking 😀
Kara says
Those look crazy fluffy! I haven’t eaten oats in months (I’ve been on a non-stop fried egg kick), but now I’m really starting to miss them. Mmmm
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Great oat information and these oats look wonderful! I’ll have to keep an eye out for them on my next Costco trip.
Halley (Blunder Construction) says
Two things, I just realized that I triple my serving sizes for oats. I should probably cut back. Also, you are reading a magazine while walking? This is funny to picture but it can’t be safe! Look both ways!
Katherine says
Nomnomnom! I wish I had some to try!!!!
Sandy says
Have you tried steel cut oats as a savory dinner dish? Cook them up in broth with peppers, garlic and kale and you have an easy and delicious meal. It is one of my favorites!
KathEats says
I have once before – it was good, but I never have them on hand to remember!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
i wonder if they would work “overnight oats” style?
KathEats says
I think they would!
Coach Lizzy says
They do! Lizzy from Coach’s Oats here…I haven’t tried them all KERFed out yet or anything but can’t wait. Here’s some real simple ways we have: http://www.coachsoatsblog.com/2011/04/overnight-oatmeal-two-ways.html
jackie says
thanks for the oat break down! i’ve always wondered. i tried coach’s oats a while back when i was at costco and they were doing samples 🙂 i have to say the sample was delicious! i had just stocked up on the costco quaker oats though so i didn’t get them – maybe one day…
kaila @ healthy helper! says
GOTTA TRY THOSE! I love steel cut but I HATE their cooking time! Perfect solution!
Namaste Gurl says
There’s nothing like a warming bowl of oatmeal to start the day– my favorite! Never tried coach oats, but will definitely be on the look out!
Kristyn says
Coach’s Oats are my favorite! I buy them at Costco and the bag seems to last forever. The serving size is so filling!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
They look and sound so delicious!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Thanks for sharing about Coach’s Oats! I will definitely look out for them.
Kathryn says
Those look really good!!! I don’t care how you slice, steam, roll or grind it – I love oats too! I like to make whole oat groats in the rice cooker with chopped apple, cinnamon, and a splash of apple juice. So warm and yummy in the fall.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I used to love quick oats, but then my life was changed when I switched to rolled oats. Now I’m curious to give these a try!
Foodie says
Your closeup food photos always make me so hungry!
Marissa says
Mmm, those oats look good! Maybe a little too liquidy for my taste (I like ’em THICK) but a bit more cooking would fix that. That’s also a lot of volume for only 1/3 cup–I usually use a full cup of old-fashioned oats!
You can walk and read at the same time? I’m impressed; I would run into something or fall on my face, lol.
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith says
KERF, RD, Duchess of Oats? I like it!
Jane says
You will eat them forever! They are that good! I do hope that I can find them at Costco, though…would love not to have to pay shipping costs.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
mmmm Love OATS!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
I’m intrigued!! They look delish, and less cooking time is always a plus. Slash the fact that they are called “coach’s” makes me feel more athletic!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Thanks for the oat breakdown! I knew that all but it was nice to read a refresher!
And I have done steel cut in the micro even though they say they’re not microwaveable…im such a rebel 🙂
Hadley says
Cannot wait to try these — would save me tons of time in the morning that I’m not using on Irish steel cut oats.
Chelsea says
I read Kath-lete in my mind!!! 😉
Kristin @ STUFT Mama says
Woo hoo! Sooo glad you posted this. I have this EXACT bag sitting in my pantry (yes- they have it at Costco- I pretty much live there) and have been wondering the difference. I’m trying to use my massive bag of rolled oats first. Have you tried these in overnight oats? I wonder if they’d be good. Yay for this! Perfect timing!!! Thanks!
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats says
Will definitely be looking out for Coach’s Oats at Costco from now on! I’d never heard of them but they sound delicious!
Jil @ Big City, Lil' Kitchen says
Oh these sound great!
Hannah (Balancing on Two Feet) says
These oats are quite intriguing. I’m going to have to find them!
Bess @ Bess Be Fit says
I love oatmeal so much and you make me love it more and more every time I look at your oats!! yum yum yum 🙂
Mary (Sisters Running the Kitchen) says
woah!!! these look incredible!! i need these in my life!
Jackie @ That Deep Breath says
How interesting! I need to try steel cut oats, but cracked & toasted sounds pretty exciting too! Who knew there were so many forms of oats?
Hannah says
That breakfast totally looks like Sauron’s eye from LOTR. Just sayin’.
Stephanie @ Fear of Bananas says
I just did a post about coaches oats on Coaches Oats on Monday! I really love the texture as a change from the rolled oats I normally eat.
http://fearofbananas.com/2011/06/27/t-minus-7-days/
lisa kudra says
oh my god your oats look like a vagina.
Linda says
Hi,
I was wondering if you cooked these in a crockpot over night or in a bake? What about overnight in the fridge? I wonder if I can use them like quick cooking oats?
KathEats says
Nope – just cooked them on the stove-top in 5 minutes!