Difference Between Cream Of Wheat And Oatmeal

Wondering what the difference between cream of wheat and oatmeal is? Having eaten both for almost every single breakfast growing up, I would consider myself an expert on the subject. Keep reading for all the details on what makes these 2 kinds of cereal unique and similar.

I have made so many different oatmeal recipes for the blog, if you want to check a few of them out, click the links below!

• Brown sugar oatmeal recipe
• Blueberry oatmeal
• Carrot cake oatmeal
• Leftover cranberry sauce oatmeal
• Overnight protein oats

What makes the cream of wheat and oatmeal different?

• While these 2 breakfast cereals have quite a bit in common, they are also very different! They are both considered plant-based foods and are delicious in their own way. Let's dive right into this.

The main difference is oatmeal is made from oats, while Cream of Wheat is made from wheat. Those are strong differences for sure.

Both contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. If you want more information, check out this article from Healthy Living AZ.

What is Cream of Wheat?

Cream of wheat is a porridge that is really just a brand name. It is actually just a type of farina. It is a type of milled wheat made by cracking the grain and removing most of the wheat bran. This is one of the reasons is a lighter color.

It is also a vegan source of iron as well as high in vitamin B.

This breakfast porridge is enriched with calcium carbonate and ferric phosphate.

Cream of wheat is similar to grits (how about this delicious Instant Pot grits recipe), grits are made with corn, and Cream of Wheat is made with wheat. Some people do find their texture pretty close. I personally think Cream of wheat has a smoother texture.

What is oatmeal?

There is nothing like a bowl of oatmeal to start your day. Oats are whole grains that are gluten-free and perfect for those with celiac disease. They come from oat groats, which are the whole oat kernel. Oatmeal has long been known as whole grains that are great for lowering cholesterol levels and its high fiber content. With so many healthy breakfast options, let me share these 2 with you.

Oatmeal is made from oat groats and comes in different varieties. Let me share what these are.

• Regular oatmeal (old-fashioned oats)- They are also called rolled oats and are made with a process of steaming the oat groats and rolling them through a roller.
• Quick oats (instant oats) - They are made similarly to old-fashioned oats, but rolled even thinner and steamed more. This allows them to cook much quicker than regular oats.
• Steel-cut oats- these oats are also known as Irish oats and pinhead oats. They come from chopped whole oat groats. I love these as they have a chewier texture. Steel-cut oatmeal takes longer to cook and is more expensive, but they are worth the extra cost and time!
• Whole oat groats- These make a great hot breakfast cereal, you can check my recipe for Instant Pot oat groats if you want to try them. They are a better option if you want the whole oat groats intact.

Cream of Rice

I also want to add a few notes about Cream of Rice. While we are discussing types of hot cereals, let me throw this one out there too. It is a different cereal completely than Cream of Wheat.

It is made of finely ground white rice and has a smooth texture that most people love.

Cream of Rice has become popular among bodybuilders for its high carbohydrate content that claims to help with intense workouts to build muscle. I am not backing those claims, just mentioning them!

It is a better choice for individuals with gluten intolerances and allergies as it is made with rice instead of wheat as the Cream of Wheat is.

How to cook Cream of Wheat cereal

Cream of Wheat is so simple to cook, but it does require you to stir constantly. Here is my basic preparation method, but in the recipe box below, I will share my mom's recipe she used when I was growing up. Note that there are different cooking methods, but this is my go-to.

I use a ratio of 4:1 for my liquid to farina. 4 cups of liquid (hot milk or water. I like to use almond milk) to 1 cup of Cream of Wheat.

Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Slowly pour in the Cream of Wheat into the hot water while stirring constantly. Lower the heat to low and continue stirring.

It will cook quickly, so keep an eye on it, usually about 2-4 minutes.

Remove it from heat and serve immediately.

I love to top it with a little butter and maple syrup. But if you want to dress it up a bit, top it with fresh fruit, seeds, nuts, etc. If you aren't opposed to it, you can also sweeten it with a little bit of sugar (either granulated or brown). I have also heard of people who like to sweeten with sucanat.

This is a healthy breakfast that is so quick to make!

FAQ Cream of Wheat VS. Oatmeal

There is a whole wide world of porridge out there and I can tell you I am here for all of them! Cream of Wheat and oatmeal are just 2 of those delicious breakfast cereals. If you want another whole-grain option, what about spelt porridge?? Spelt is a healthy ancient grain that most people don't consider when they think of breakfast options.