Hand-held oatmeal

Abstract

A hand-held oatmeal product is provided that is ready to eat. The oatmeal product may be packaged in a retortable pouch. Methods of making the oatmeal product are provided.

1 . A hand-held food product comprising:
 a soft, solidified mass composed of cooked oats and at least one other edible material, and water in an amount sufficient to provide a moisture content from about 35% to about 60% by weight of the total composition and a water activity of greater than about 0.90 and packaged in a retortable container; wherein the soft, solidified mass is self-supporting without the inclusion of any thickeners or gums.   
   
   
       2 . The product of  claim 1  wherein the soft, solidified mass in the container is retorted. 
   
   
       3 . The product of  claim 1  wherein water is present in an amount of from about 40% to about 60% by weight of the total soft, solidified mass. 
   
   
       4 . The product of  claim 1  wherein water is present in an amount of from about 40% to about 50% by weight of the total soft, solidified mass. 
   
   
       5 . The hand-held food product of  claim 1  wherein the other edible material is selected from the group consisting of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, spices, sugars, juices, meats, vitamins, minerals, flavors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . A hand-held food product according to  claim 1  wherein the oats are selected from the group consisting of steel cut oats, rolled oats, whole oats, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The hand-held food product of  claim 1  further comprising a nitrogen atmosphere in the retortable container. 
   
   
       8 . The hand-held food product of  claim 1  further comprising a flavor. 
   
   
       9 . The hand-held food product of  claim 1  wherein the soft, solidified mass is composed entirely of natural materials. 
   
   
       10 . The hand-held food product of  claim 1  wherein the product provides at least 0.8 grams of soluble fiber content per serving and at least 2.5 grams of total fiber content per serving. 
   
   
       11 . A hand-held food product comprising:
 a soft, solidified mass composed of cooked oats and at least one other edible material, and water in an amount sufficient to provide a moisture content from about 35% to about 60% by weight of the total composition and packaged in a container; wherein the soft, solidified mass is self-supporting without the inclusion of any thickeners or gums.   
   
   
       12 . The product of  claim 11  wherein the soft, solidified mass in the container is retorted. 
   
   
       13 . The product of  claim 11  wherein water is present in an amount of from about 40% to about 60% by weight of the total soft, solidified mass. 
   
   
       14 . The product of  claim 11  wherein water is present in an amount of from about 40% to about 50% by weight of the total soft, solidified mass. 
   
   
       15 . The hand-held food product of  claim 11  wherein the other edible material is selected from the group consisting of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, spices, sugars, juices, meats, vitamins, minerals, flavors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . A hand-held food product according to  claim 11  wherein the oats are selected from the group consisting of steel cut oats, rolled oats, whole oats, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The hand-held food product of  claim 11  further comprising a nitrogen atmosphere in the container. 
   
   
       18 . The hand-held food product of  claim 11  further comprising a flavor. 
   
   
       19 . The hand-held food product of  claim 11  wherein the soft, solidified mass is composed entirely of natural materials. 
   
   
       20 . The hand-held food product of  claim 11  wherein the product provides at least 0.8 grams of soluble fiber content per serving and at least 2.5 grams of total fiber content per serving.