Sprouted Oat Groat Cereal & How to Sprout Oat Groats
Sprouted oat groats are a delicious and nutritious breakfast. This post shows you how easy it is to sprout oat groats and then use them in a hot breakfast porridge with berries. You’re going to love how easy it is to make sprouted oats.
What Are Oat Groats?
Oat groats are the whole, unprocessed kernels of the oat plant, Avena sativa. They are a whole grain that are also called “naked oats” or raw oatmeal.
They are the most intact and complete form of oats, with only the inedible hulls removed, retaining all parts of the grain including the germ, endosperm, and bran. This makes them highly nutritious but also means they require longer cooking times compared to more processed forms of oats, such as rolled oats, steel-cut oats, or instant oats.
How to Sprout Oats
This Sprouted Oat Groat Cereal is the first of the recipes I’ve tried using sprouted grains. I started with gluten-free, raw oat groats. You don’t want to use rolled oats, quick oats, or steel cut oats for this recipe.
This is what raw oat groats look like when they’re raw and not sprouted.
I soaked the groats in filtered water overnight, rinsed them, and placed them into a sprouting vessel.
My current favorite sprouter or sprout jar is the Easy Sprouter which comes with a sprouting lid. I also use this sprouter to make homemade broccoli sprouts.
Another option is the Victorio sprout tray which I have also used successfully.
Step One
Soak the oat groats in water for 12 hours. Rinse them well.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Two
Put the groats in a sprouting device and place in a cool, dark location.
Rinse and drain the oat groats a few times a day with cool, clean water.
Step Three
Once the groats have sprouted, you can move them out of the dark.
Let the groats sprout until the “tails” are about 1/8″.
Step Four
Give the groats one final rinse and then serve or cook.
Sprouting Photos
Here’s what the groats looked like after being soaked 12 hours, rinsed, and and sprouted for one day.
I was sooooo excited when the groats grew their little tail thingies:
At the end of the second full day of sprouting, the groats were definitely ready to be harvested.
The white fuzzy stuff is totally normal; they’re called root hairs which sounds ick but they are harmless and get washed away when you rinse them:
I suppose one could technically eat the sprouted groats without cooking at this point, but I wasn’t taking any chances with my or my husband’s ability to digest them.
So, I rinsed the sprouted groats one last time and then put them in my rice cooker on the “germinated brown rice” setting with about a cup of water. A simmer for a good 15-20 minutes on the stovetop will do the trick as well.
The last time I tried to eat cooked oat groats without sprouting them first, I got a terrible stomachache afterwards.
Since I started sprouting and cooking, I’ve had no problem and I get to enjoy the fantastic nutritional benefits of eating oat groats, not to mention the chewy texture and warming, delicious comfort that comes from eating a bowl of whole grains.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
I’d love to hear your input on this topic of soaking and sprouting. Let’s discuss in the comments section.
Benefits of Sprouted Oats
Sprouting oat groats, which involves soaking and then allowing them to germinate, brings a number of potential health benefits. This process not only enhances the nutritional profile of oats but can also make them easier to digest.
Here are some key benefits of sprouting raw oats:
- Increased Nutritional Value: Sprouting increases the levels of certain nutrients, including vitamins B, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It can enhance the bioavailability of minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, making them more accessible for the body to absorb.
- Improved Digestibility: The sprouting process breaks down some of the starches into simpler sugars, making sprouted grains easier to digest. It also reduces the presence of anti-nutrients like phytic acid, which can inhibit the absorption of minerals.
- Enhanced Protein Availability: Sprouting may increase the concentration and bioavailability of protein in oats, making it a more efficient nutrient source for muscle repair and growth.
- Lowered Glycemic Index: Sprouted oats may have a lower glycemic index compared to non-sprouted oats. This means they are digested and absorbed more slowly, leading to a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for blood sugar control.
- Increased Antioxidant Levels: The process of sprouting can increase the levels of antioxidants in oats, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Enhanced Taste and Texture: Sprouting can enhance the taste and texture of oats, giving them a slightly sweeter flavor and a more tender texture, which may improve their culinary versatility.
While the benefits of sprouting oats aren’t 100% clear and supported by scientific research, it does seem to be an approach that has some potential health benefits.
It’s also important to note that the specific outcomes can vary depending on the sprouting conditions, such as the duration and temperature of sprouting.
Be sure to handle and store sprouted oats properly to minimize the risk of microbial contamination. Pregnant and immune-compromised individuals may need to avoid consuming raw sprouts; speak to your healthcare provider for guidance.
More Sprout & Microgreen Guides
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Sprouted Oat Groats Cereal Recipe
Sprouted oat groats are a delicious and nutritious breakfast. This post shows you how easy it is to sprout oat groats and then use them in a hot breakfast porridge with berries.
- Total Time: 12 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw oat groats
- 4 cups fresh or frozen berries
- 1/2 cup raisins
- Homemade almond milk (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Rinse your raw oat groats and place them in a medium-sized glass bowl or sprouting device. Cover with fresh, filtered water and a pinch of sea salt. Let sit for at least 8 hours or up to 12 hours.
- Use a strainer to rinse the oat groats thoroughly. Place the groats in a sprouting device. Rinse 2-3 times a day for at least two days or until the groats have sprouted.
- Rince the groats one last time and place in a rice cooker or a saucepan. Add one cup of water, raisins, and cook for 15-20 minutes. If serving right away, defrost the frozen berries in the microwave and serve with the oat groats. Otherwise, you can store the cooked groats in the fridge for up to 3-5 days or in the freezer.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Sprouting, stove-top
- Cuisine: Sprouted
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 358
- Sugar: 27.2 g
- Sodium: 212.3 mg
- Fat: 5.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 68.2 g
- Fiber: 3.7 g
- Protein: 5.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.
I thought you could not sprout oat groats as most are heat treated to extend shelf life?
Cool, thanks for this intro! I, just for the fun of it, want to start sprouting my grains and these projects are always so hard to start if I’ve never done them ? even if it’s not hard at all! Will definitely try this soon. 🙂
Do they taste different sprouted than plain cooked oat groats. I like to cook them with chicken broth and use in place of rice. They’re yummy.
One of my fav ways to eat oats.
Thank you, Carrie 🙂 .
It’s 2016 and I’m just getting started w/a more vegan diet!
I’ve been focusing on grains and beans because fresh organic vegetables aren’t around locally.
But only a few grains agree with me, like I grew up with, cooked from dried to a rolling boil.
Sprouting and eating raw is becoming my way of eating organic, and veggie so far 🙂 .
Altho I LOVE the comfort of oatmeal from the quaker box – its not so good for my energy level or my tummy 12 hours later …
*I just tried your recipee! Sprout, Then cook for a bit! It Works For Me 🙂 !*
Nice sustained energy level, happy tummy, and oatmeal comfort for me now,
Thank you 🙂 !
-Irene.