All oats begin as groats, or kernels of grain that are later processed into different varieties. Meaning that they each provide the same health benefits. What makes each oat variety different is the way they are processed.u003cbr/u003eOld Fashioned Oatmeal - This version of oatmeal is flat and flaky in appearance and often referred to as rolled oats. They typically take five minutes to cook and tend to soak up more water than quick cooking oats. Old fashioned is the variety I reach for when making granola, cookies, or muffins.u003cbr/u003eQuick Cooking Oats - Quick cooking oatmeal are rolled oats that have been coarsely chopped. By breaking them down into smaller pieces, you have a quicker cooking oatmeal with a slightly finer texture.