Not Very Fond of Oat Bran? Try These 4 Substitutes Instead

Though oat bran itself is not very delicious, oat bran cookies and muffins are loved by all for their rich texture, nutty flavor and pleasant aroma. Moreover, the bran contains a unique type of soluble fiber, known as beta-glucan, that is known for cholesterol-lowering properties. Knowing what can be used to substitute oat bran in a recipe can come in handy, if you happen to run out, and have no time to run to the store.

What do you think can be used, to replace oat bran in a recipe, without compromising the texture and nutritional profile of the end product? While substituting an ingredient, it should always be kept in mind that each ingredient serves a special purpose in a recipe. Some ingredients are used for stabilizing and leavening, while others are used for sweetening, flavoring, and thickening the product. The substitutes of an ingredient may not be able to add the same texture or flavor to the product.

Oat Bran Alternatives

Wheat Bran

Like oat bran, wheat bran is rich in dietary fiber, though it is comparatively drier than oat bran. But still, it is a good substitute. In fact, addition of wheat bran is an excellent way to increase the nutritional value of different foods. 1 cup of oat bran can be replaced with 1 cup wheat bran.

You can use wheat bran to replace oat bran in pancakes, cookies, muffins, and waffles. You can use a small amount of finely ground wheat bran in smoothies as well. However, the flavor and texture of the final product will slightly differ, as wheat bran does not have a very appealing flavor, unlike oat bran.

Oatmeal or Rolled Oats

Rolled oats are prepared by steaming the oat groats, and then rolling them with steel rollers. Being an oat product, rolled oats or oatmeal can replace oat bran in many recipes. Oatmeal can make delicious porridge, oatmeal cookies, and cakes. You can use oatmeal as a topping on oat bran breads as well. 1 cup of oat bran can be replaced with 1 or ¾ cup rolled oats.

While substituting oatmeal for oat bran in muffins, you may not get the same texture or consistency. Muffins made with rolled and whole oats can be denser, heavier, and somewhat wet, as compared to the typical oat bran muffins. You can overcome this problem to some extent by grinding the oatmeal slightly in the blender or food processor.

Rice Bran

Rice bran is a byproduct of the milling process and is a great substitute for oat bran. It is a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin E. Additionally, it is gluten-free and so, can be consumed by individuals having gluten sensitivity or intolerance. 1 cup of oat bran can be replaced with 1 cup rice bran

Rice bran can be easily incorporated in bread, cookies, and other baked goods. It works well for smoothies as well. So, it is not very difficult to incorporate this healthy food in your diet to derive its many benefits while satisfying your palate.

Corn Bran

The fiber content of corn bran is even higher than that of wheat bran. However, it mostly contains insoluble fiber that gives bulk to the stool, and thus, prevents constipation and improves the health of the digestive system. Additionally, the carbohydrate content of corn bran is quite low, which makes it a healthy oat bran substitute. 1 cup of oat bran can be replaced with 1 cup corn bran.

Besides preparing a healthy and delectable breakfast cereal with corn bran, you can use it to make snack bars, chips, and muffins. However, corn bran has a bland flavor, and so, corn bran muffins won’t be as flavorful as oat bran muffins. But it can add lots of fiber to a meal and baked foods.

To sum up, oat bran can be substituted with wheat bran, oatmeal, rice bran, and corn bran. Another good substitute is buckwheat. Even flaxseed and ground sunflower seeds can be used to substitute oat bran in cookies and muffins. On the other hand, oat bran itself can be a good substitute for wheat bran. You can use ground oat bran and oats to substitute wheat flour as well.

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