What is oats flour, oats atta? glossary, benefits, uses

Oats atta, also known as oat flour, is a fine powder made by grinding whole oats. Unlike rolled oats or quick oats, which are typically consumed as a breakfast cereal or added to baked goods in their flake form, oats atta is specifically processed to a flour-like consistency. This makes it a versatile ingredient that can be seamlessly integrated into various culinary preparations, particularly as a healthier alternative to traditional wheat flour (atta) in Indian cooking. It retains the wholesome goodness of oats, offering a distinct nutty flavor and a slightly coarser texture compared to refined flours.

The benefits of oats atta are numerous, making it a highly desirable addition to a health-conscious diet. It is a rich source of dietary fiber, especially beta-glucan, a soluble fiber known for its remarkable health properties. Beta-glucan helps in lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, thereby supporting heart health. It also aids in regulating blood sugar levels, making oats atta beneficial for individuals with diabetes. Furthermore, oats atta is packed with essential nutrients like protein, iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins, and contains unique antioxidants called avenanthramides, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

Across India, oats atta is increasingly being incorporated into traditional cooking, adapting classic recipes to boost their nutritional profile. One of its most common uses is in making rotis or chapatis. While it cannot entirely replace wheat flour due to its gluten-free nature (gluten provides elasticity to dough), it can be combined with wheat flour or other gluten-free flours like ragi or jowar atta to create healthier flatbreads. This allows families to enjoy their staple bread while benefiting from the added fiber and nutrients of oats.

Beyond flatbreads, oats atta finds its way into a variety of other Indian dishes, reflecting a growing trend towards healthy eating and culinary innovation. It is used to prepare nutritious breakfast options like oats dosa (a crispy crepe), oats idli(steamed savory cakes), and oats uttapam (savory pancakes). It can also be a key ingredient in savory porridges like masala oats or oats khichdi, where it replaces rice or is combined with lentils and vegetables, offering a wholesome and comforting meal. Its ability to absorb liquids well also makes it suitable for thickening gravies or soups.

The versatility of oats atta extends to snacks and baked goods as well. It can be used to make healthy tikkis or cutlets, often combined with paneer, vegetables, and spices, which are then pan-fried or baked with minimal oil. For those with a sweet tooth, oats atta can be incorporated into cookies, muffins, or even traditional Indian sweets like ladoos or barfi, providing a healthier twist without compromising on taste. This wide range of applications makes it an easy ingredient to integrate into daily meals.

In summary, oats atta is more than just a flour; it's a nutritional powerhouse that is transforming Indian kitchens. Its significant health benefits, particularly for heart health, blood sugar management, and weight control, coupled with its adaptability in both traditional and modern recipes, have led to its growing popularity. As more Indian households prioritize wellness, oats atta is becoming a staple, offering a convenient and delicious way to enhance the nutritional value of everyday meals across the country.

How to select oats flour, oats atta

Oats flour is available prepackaged. When purchasing goods made from oats flour it is important to examine the packaging. Examine the pack for leaks, manufacturing and expiry dates. Avoid buying oats flour that are mixed with other flours like whole wheat flour. plain flour etc. Read the labels carefully.

Culinary Uses of oats flour, oats atta

1. oats rava idli recipe | instant oats rava idli | Indian oats idli no fermentation is a slightly healthy variation to rava idli. Learn how to make instant oats rava idli. Moreover these Indian oats idli no fermentationhas only 30 minutes resting time, so they can be planned for breakfast, snack or main meal too! It tastes very intense and you will experience a burst of flavour in every bite.

2. cauliflower oats tikki recipe | mixed vegetable tikki | healthy cauliflower tikki for weight loss | cauliflower cutlet is a healthy substitute for fried tikkis. Learn how to make mixed vegetable tikki. Normally tikkis are made by binding assorted ingredients with mashed potatoes. Here in mixed vegetable tikki we have used low calorie cauliflower with fibre-rich oats for that purpose! Two unusual ingredients, combined with colourful veggies results in a top-class tikki that will enthral you.

vegetable oats pancake recipe | Indian style oats pancake | healthy veg oats pancake |

Kids tiffin box recipe using oats flour

oats cheese straw recipe | eggless Indian oat sticks with cheese | oatmeal cheese straws | homemade oats cheese straws for kids |

• Add oat flour or whole oats the next time you make bread or muffins.

• It can be assimilated as a part of any meal breakfast, lunch or dinner.

• It can act as a thickening agent for soups & gravies instead of maida & replace wheat flour in Indian cooking.

• Because oat flour is gluten-free, you can’t substitute it for all the flour in baked goods that need the gluten help for slow rising, such as yeast breads.

How to store oats flour, oats atta

Oats flour is more susceptible to spoilage than other flours because it contains the oils from the bran that can become rancid. If the flour is stored at room temperature, try to use it within a week or two. Otherwise you can store the flour in the fridge or freezer for longer periods of time of up to a year.

Health benefits of oats flour, oats atta

Oats : Oats flour is a great source of protein for Vegetarians. It is rich in soluble fibre (to make it good for diabetics), which helps lower blood LDL cholesterol, the so-called "Bad" cholesterol. Whole Oats have an antioxidant called Avenanthramide (a polyphenol from oats) which helps lower blood pressure levels. Soluble fibre absorbs water and swells and to become gel like substance which helps in the absorption of nutrients like B Vitamins and minerals like Magnesium and Zinc which are key to a good heart. See here why oats are good for you?