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We tested 6 instant oatmeals, and this one creamed the competition
Our top pick, which is packed with protein and light on sweetness, genuinely surprised us. Hint: It's not made by Quaker!
If you're looking to start your day strong, you can't do much better than oatmeal for breakfast. You can make it in a pot over the stove or prep overnight oats, but not everyone has the time. That's why we set out to unearth the best instant oatmeal. Many brands promise to fill your belly with a hearty, tasty treat, but they don't all live up to their claims (especially in the flavor department!).
Instant oatmeal has become big business, especially as more people follow a gluten-free diet. These days, the grocery store sells tons of options besides classic Quaker oats. Though these packets only require a minute or two of your time, they still offer impressive health benefits: Nutritionists love oatmeal because it's a great source of fiber, carbohydrates and protein, plus vitamins and minerals including iron.
For our taste test, we bought six popular supermarket instant oatmeals, all of which have at least 3 grams of both protein and dietary fiber. We focused on maple and brown sugar — mostly because we didn't want our testers to hate us but also because it's the most common oatmeal flavor. Our panel included a former food magazine editor (me), several oatmeal lovers and even a couple of people who don't like the stuff at all. We kept the tasting blind to prevent any brand loyalty from coming into play.
Read on to discover why our top pick won out — then keep scrolling for our favorite oatmeal bowls plus other breakfast must-haves.
Best instant oatmeals of 2024
Kodiak's hearty instant oatmeal scored highest in flavor and overall enjoyment, with testers commenting, "This is delish!," "Solid oat taste" and "Looks different from the others — more appealing." Made from whole-grain rolled oats, pea and whey proteins, cane sugar and maple syrup, it packs in 12 grams of protein per serving.
Just keep in mind that this oatmeal is thicker than most, with distinct, chewy oats. "OK, this one is chunky! In a good way — not just a cup of mush," said one tester. Not everyone loved the texture, though: "Pretty to look at, not the best to eat," said another.
- High protein
- Not overly sweet
- No artificial flavors
- Doesn't become mushy in the microwave
- Very thick
- Tastes 'healthier' than most, which some people might not like
This tried-and-true classic came in second, beating out our top pick in appearance and aroma. "Smells nice and maple-syrupy," noted one tester. And though it wasn't rated highest for flavor, it did rank higher than most for its pleasant, mild taste. "My favorite so far! The right amount of sweetness. A little nutty," commented another tester.
"Maybe the most crushable oatmeal. I feel like this is an oatmeal I can eat and not get sick of quickly," said a final panelist.
- Appealing smell
- Inexpensive
- Higher in fiber and lower in sugar than the competition
- No artificial flavors
- On the mushy side
- Some reviewers described the texture as 'sticky'
How we tested instant oatmeals
We gathered a group of 10 self-professed oatmeal lovers ... and a few oatmeal haters. We made each packet with water, following the microwave instructions on the box. Then we spooned the oatmeal into cups labeled only with a letter to keep the tasting blind.
Next came the fun part! The testers ate spoonfuls of oatmeal and filled out a rubric rating each one from a scale of one to five on flavor, texture (was it too chunky?), aroma, consistency (was it watery? gloppy?), appearance (that one was tough!) and overall enjoyment. We also asked our panelists to jot down any general thoughts they had about the samples.
Our goal was to find an oatmeal that was creamy with a bit of a bite and that tasted of real maple and brown sugar. We also wanted the aroma to match the flavor, and we doled out bonus points to oatmeals that looked appealing, not just like a lumpy, beige mass.
Other instant oatmeals we tested
Better Oats Steel Cut Quick Cooking Oatmeal: This affordable pick fared pretty well, ranking third. Our testers thought it was just the right thickness, and it also looked pretty tasty, thanks to the steel-cut oats. "Looks the most natural," commented one tester. That said, many thought it was too sweet and syrupy tasting (though it did have some nice votes of vanilla).
Good & Gather Organic Instant Oatmeal: Target's house brand was just OK — it looked pale and didn't have much of an aroma. It also tasted somewhat bland, though some of our panelists liked its subtle flavor.
McCann's Instant Irish Oatmeal: Though three of our 10 testers really liked this chunky oatmeal, most found the flavor artificial. "Chemical taste I did not like," commented one tester. "Too sweet. I want to wash it down with water," said another.
Great Value Instant Oatmeal: We'll give this oatmeal from Walmart's house brand credit for its super-affordable price (10 packets for $2), but otherwise, it didn't wow us. It ranked lowest almost across the board, with testers saying it lacked flavor, texture and aroma.
Instant oatmeal FAQs
What is the healthiest instant oatmeal?
Look for brands with low sugar, high fiber and high protein to get the most out of your meal. You should also try to avoid artificial flavoring and sweeteners. Our top two picks are good bets, and they're even healthier if you buy the plain versions and eat them as is or with toppings like fresh fruit or a scoop of nut butter.
What is the difference between regular oatmeal and instant oatmeal?
Instant oatmeal is made by steaming whole oats, flattening them into thin flakes and then partially cooking them so they can be rehydrated easily. It's more processed and has less fiber than old-fashioned or steel-cut oats, but it can still be a healthy choice.
Editor-approved bowls
This lovely set of blue and white latte bowls looks awfully similar to the ones sold at Anthropologie. But we were bowled over by the price, which is about half of what you'd pay at the beloved boho retailer.
Handmade-looking pottery is very trendy right now, and this set is right on the money with its muted colors and natural clay base. No need to treat them gently: You can stick them in the microwave — and the dishwasher.
Talk about flower power! I don't know about you, but I can't help but smile when I look at the bowls, which were designed with artist Jess Phoenix. The pattern also comes on plates, serving bowls and utensils, so you can have a field day filling your cabinets.
Crow Canyon Home
Add a ray of sunshine to your table with these vintage-style splatterware bowls. Made from enamel, they look like something you'd use around a campfire — but they also come in handy in the kitchen because they're lightweight and shatterproof.
Our Place
Celeb-loved brand Our Place is known for its beautiful, cleverly designed kitchen tools — and this set of porcelain bowls is no exception. Hand-painted finish, check! Stackable design, check plus!
More instant oatmeal must-haves
Professional organizers know that one way to stay on top of cabinet clutter is to ditch flimsy packaging, especially if you or your family is bad at resealing stuff. So recycle the boxes your instant oatmeal comes in and consider storing the packets in a tiered divider. It might seem silly, but an organizer like this will help you clear up shelves and keep track of what you have so you're not overbuying at the store.
Prefer something a little more subtle? This pack of two organizers comes in clear acrylic. More than 8,000 Amazon shoppers have given these a five-star rating for their sturdiness and smart design.
Silly? Yes — but if you have an avid oatmeal lover in your life, this is an adorable (and affordable!) gift.
I prefer clear canisters because they let you see how much of an item you have, but they can look pretty bland. Not this sweet, vintage-inspired pick! Grab a few and use them to store your go-to oatmeal toppings like raisins, brown sugar or walnuts.
This little gadget lets you take your warm breakfast on the go — genius! If you have doubts about the practicality of a portable slow cooker, let the 6,400 five-star fans on Amazon reassure you.
"This little Crock-Pot is amazing! It's nice to be able to plug it in a few hours before lunch/dinner break for a hot meal on the go. I’ve never had an issue with it toppling over or leaking. I've heated up soup (homemade and store-bought cans), casserole leftovers, pre-cooked meat and added veggies, oatmeal, and I've even used it to warm up a pre-packaged breakfast sandwich," wrote one shopper.
