If your digestive system is sensitive to eating oat groats, then I am pleased as punch to present you with a sprouted option that might change things!
Just to give you some background, neither my husband nor I had any issues digesting grains until the past several years, when I became very gluten-sensitive and then my poor hubby started having some serious digestive issues (apologies if this is T.M.I., but I want to share this info in case it helps you or someone you know).
I’m learning that both the problem with mineral absorption and improving the digestibility of grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes is something that can be remedied by taking some extra steps like soaking and even sprouting them, at least some if not all of the time. There are actually some health benefits of consuming phytates as seen in this video from Dr. Greger, so it seems as if it’s a balancing act.
Since I am at the beginning of my journey on this topic, I promise to keep writing about it and sharing my experiments. This Sprouted Oat Groat Cereal is the first! I started with gluten-free, raw oat groats.
I soaked the groats in filtered water overnight, rinsed them, and placed them into a sprouter (although not pictured in this tutorial, my current favorite sprouter is the Easy Sprouter found on my Amazon.com store). 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:
Sprouted Oat Groat Cereal
Yield: 4
Category: Breakfast
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Sprouted Oat Groat Cereal is a delicious and hearty breakfast.
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.
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:
I’d love to hear your input on this topic of soaking and sprouting. Let’s discuss in the comments section.
Pin this recipe for later:
P.S. You might want to check out my Amaranth-Banana Porridge, Winter Breakfast Stew, or Pumpkin Breakfast Brownies.
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I haven’t had oat groats in a really long time, but I went through a phase a few years back when I loved them. I would soak them overnight, and eat them raw in the morning after rinsing them and then blending them in the food processor. I never sprouted them. Is this an important step? I don’t recall having any problems digesting the raw, soaked, unsprouted groats. Could there be any harm in soaking them and not sprouting them?
Hi Jenni! I know a lot of people can soak and eat raw oat groats, but that’s how I got a stomachache. I don’t think it’s harmful to eat them raw if that works for you! 🙂
As someone with GI issues caused by gluten, I am so looking forward to future posts concerning the topic of sprouting. My Dr has mentioned it as well & I did see a sprouting device at my local bulk store but don’t know too much on how to do it let alone have recipes. Keep the gluten free & sprouting topics going as I am in a learning curve myself.
Fascinating! and you could presumably make your own oatmeal, too, by rolling the sprouted groats and then dehydrating. Oatmeal cookies again–THAT would be worth the additional effort!
Which rice cooker are you using? I have not seen one with “germinated brown rice” setting. Thanks for the recipes and the great information that you share. I’ve learned a lot from your blog.
It’s a Tiger brand model I got years ago, Ceil. I’d probably recommend just cooking the sprouted groats in a pot until softened to your liking, maybe 15-20 minutes. 🙂
Carrie,
Nice photos! 😉
xoxo,
Wendy
Thanks, Wendy! I didn’t think these were that great, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing, but I am taking baby steps using all the awesome advice you gave me. Xoxo!!!
Are there nutritional benefits to sprouting grains? Do you know whether there is a salmonella risk, as with sprouting beans? I’m guessing that cooking the sprouted grains would negate such a risk, but I thought I’d ask anyway. 🙂
Great question, Marie! Cooking the sprouted grains would greatly diminish the potential for harmful pathogens, but I think you’re right that eating raw sprouts definitely can pose a risk. I heard somewhere (maybe from Dr. Greger?) that growing sprouts at home has less risk than buying them at the store, though.
Eating sprouted –anything– provides enzymes to your body’s system. Cooked foods use enzymes to digest it. So sometimes it is good to eat foods that replenish the enzyme base in your system. Sprouts are especially full of enzymes.
I love pinhead oats, I soak them overnight and cook them up in the morning. Never tried sprouting them before, but sounds like a good idea, digestion wise.
I just made my first batch of groats and oats sprouted. I have just ventured into sprouts and so far, I LOVE THEM! I’m making bean sprouts, lettuce sprouts, and grain sprouts. I’m trying them all 🙂 I’ve read that the nutrition in them is superior to full grown veggies.
I’m totally obsessed with sprouting now, too, Kimberly!!! 🙂
Thanks for posting this Carrie – I’m very interested in trying this. I’m sensitive to gluten, but seem to have no problem eating things labeled gluten-free (like Bob’s Red Mill gf oats). My hubby has also been having some digestive issues though and I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of ways to make him easily digestible food.
I can’t remember if your man is plant-based or not, Kimmy, but Alan was def having some zinc and magnesium deficiency issues which seem to have been resolved with additional supplementation, plus me going to the effort of soaking and/or sprouting most of our nuts, seeds, and beans.
Okay so I am thinking about not cooking the sprout oats. I think I will put the sprouted oat in the Cuisinart and then dry them in thinly spread shapes on a surface and put into the dehydrator.
Any words to the wise about this?
Thanks!!
Chrisann
I think that should work, as long as you think your digestive system can handle it! :0)
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.