How Much Rice to Substitute for Oats
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Rice keeps a similar flavor profile to Oats.
How much rice equals one cup of oats?
Use 1 cup rice per 1 cup oats.
Health notes
Compared with Oats, Rice has: less calories (358 vs 389 per 100g in Oats), less fat (0.5g vs 6.9g per 100g in Oats), less saturated fat (0.1g vs 1.2g per 100g in Oats), less protein (6.5g vs 16.9g per 100g in Oats), and more carbs (79.2g vs 66.3g per 100g in Oats).
Using rice as an oats substitute in baking
1:1 swap works in rice-based puddings and bars, but skip recipes needing oat chew or binding.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Cooked rice works in savory grain dishes, though it won't crisp or toast like oats.
- Frying
1:1 for crispy rice cakes or fritters; texture turns crunchier than fried oat mixtures.
- Slow Cook
1:1 in porridge-style dishes; rice softens differently and loses the creamy oat consistency.
- Steaming
1:1 for steamed grain dishes; texture stays firmer than steamed oats.
- Drinks
1:1 in grain-based drinks like horchata style beverages.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Grilling
Not recommended: rice doesn't hold together on a grill without a binder.
- Raw Cold
Not recommended: raw rice is hard and inedible, unlike raw oats in overnight recipes.
FAQ
- How much rice equals one cup of oats?
Use 1 cup rice per 1 cup oats.
- Can I substitute rice for Oats in baking?
Yes. 1:1 swap works in rice-based puddings and bars, but skip recipes needing oat chew or binding. Not recommended: rice doesn't hold together on a grill without a binder.
- How much rice to use as an oats substitute?
Milder, less nutty than oats; add a bit more cinnamon or brown sugar for warmth.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Rice for Oats?
Rice keeps a similar flavor profile to oats.
- How does texture change when substituting Rice for Oats?
Rice firmer and less creamy than cooked oats; grains stay more separate rather than binding together.
- What else should I know about substituting Rice for Oats?
For porridge, grain bakes, and rice pudding. Expect firmer grains that stay separate rather than the creamy, chewy result oats give. Skip granola, oat bars, and overnight oats since rice won't soften the same way raw. Add extra liquid and cook time to soften rice fully.
- What still works when substituting Rice for Oats?
Rice still works as a texture and moisture.
- What won't work when substituting Rice for Oats?
Rice won't work as a thickener.
- How well does Rice match Oats?
Rice is okay on structure, good on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Rice for Oats?
Rice has about x13 fewer fat, x9 fewer sat. fat, and x3 fewer protein. Overall, calories is similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Rice for Oats?
The flavor shifts toward less bitter notes.