Review: Wendy's - Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Part of Wendy's ongoing breakfast test includes Steel-Cut Oatmeal. It's kettle-cooked and offered with either apples chunks and caramel sauce or with dried cranberries, roasted pecans, and brown sugar.

The price on a cup was $2.59 and I went with the Cranberries and Pecans.

Steel-cut oatmeal typically tends to be bigger and heartier than the more common rolled oats which you find in instant and quick oatmeal. Uncooked, they look a bit like a yellow rice kernel that's been cut into three or four pieces. You can check out a better explanation of different forms of oatmeal here.

In texture, Wendy's version was thick enough to stand a spoon in and quite filling. It's the kind of stuff that will stick to your stomach. The oatmeal flavor was a little stronger than the instant stuff.

I liked the mix of sweetened cranberries and pecans. The cranberries were soft with a tart bite and the pecans provided a nutty crunch. I used about half the pouch of brown sugar which I sprinkled on as I ate (except for the first bit, where I sprinkled it on liberally to take a picture); just enough for a little sweetness in every bite.

Overall, Wendy's Steel-Cut Oatmeal is pretty competitive to what's being offered at Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and McDonald's. The steel-cut thing really comes down to a preference in taste or texture (I like it better than the regular stuff because it's heartier and takes longer to digest in your stomach so you won't be as hungry later). Also, it feels less like stuff you can make at home by pouring hot water on it. I love the cranberry and pecan combo; there's lots of flavor there.

Nutritional Info - Wendy's Steel-Cut Oatmeal with Cranberries and Pecans
Calories - 330 (from Fat - 260)
Fat - 12g (Saturated Fat - 1g)
Sodium - 250mg
Carbs - 37g (Sugar - 33g)
Protein - 5g