Can You Make Oat Flour from Rolled Oats?

The short answer to the question of whether you can turn rolled oats into oat flour is a resounding yes. However, the method and the equipment required might vary depending on your specific needs.

About Rolled Oats

Before diving into the process of making oat flour, it's important to understand what rolled oats are. Rolled oats are typically made by steaming the oat groats (the inner part of the oat kernel) and then flattening and drying them. This process gives them a slightly softer texture and longer shelf life compared to steel-cut oats. There are two main types of rolled oats: old-fashioned or regular rolled oats and quick-cook or instant oats.

Quick-cook oats, sometimes called instant oats, have been further processed and require minimal cooking time. Despite these differences, both types can be used to make oat flour. However, the quick-cook oats may end up being a bit more processed despite being labeled as 'uncooked' in their packaging.

How to Make Oat Flour from Rolled Oats

The process of making oat flour from rolled oats is surprisingly simple. You can achieve this task with a food processor, wrench, or a grain mill. Here's how to do it in each of these methods:

Using a Food Processor

If you only need a small amount of oat flour, a food processor will be more than sufficient. Simply place the rolled oats in the food processor and blend them to your desired consistency. Be cautious, though, as blending for too long can cause the oats to heat up and lose some of their nutritional value. The key is to stop the blending process when the oats reach a fine, flour-like consistency while still retaining some texture. If you want a finer flour, you may need to pulse the oats a few more times or even sift the flour afterwards.

Using a Grain Mill

If you're planning to make a larger quantity of oat flour, or if you find that the food processor gets too warm during the blending process, a grain mill is a better option. Grain mills are designed to mill grains with minimal heat generation, preserving the quality and nutritional value of the flour. To use a grain mill, simply add the rolled oats to the hopper and operate the mill. The resulting flour will be of a more consistent texture and finer than that obtained from a food processor.

When Not to Make Oat Flour

It's important to note that you cannot make wheat flour from rolled oats. This is because oats and wheat are different plants with distinct molecular structures. Flour from oats is not a direct substitute for wheat flour, and attempting to use it as one can lead to unsatisfactory results in recipes. Similarly, you cannot make apple sauce from bananas or substitute any other ingredient like you would with oats and wheat flour. Each ingredient has unique characteristics that make it suitable for specific purposes.

Conclusion

In summary, you can indeed make oat flour from rolled oats, using either a food processor or a grain mill. The choice of tool will depend on your quantity needs and the desired texture. However, remember that the oat flour produced will not be suitable as a direct replacement for wheat flour in recipes. If you're looking to use a wheat-based flour alternative, alternatives such as spelt or rye flour might be more appropriate.