Bread Upma is an easy, healthy South Indian-style breakfast or snack recipe that can be prepared with leftover or fresh bread with a few vegetables in less than 15 minutes. It tastes best when served hot. Perfect for kids' school or after-school snacks.
When you feel really lazy and want a quick fix, this healthy bread upma is one breakfast option. I have made it healthy by using wholegrain bread. My daughter loves this bread upma with vegetables, and she usually pairs it with tomato ketchup:).
It is a great way to use days-old bread that's sitting in the fridge and a few basic pantries and kitchen staples. Other leftover bread recipes I make are bread vada, bread roll, or bread uttapam.
More easy, quick, and delicious morning breakfasts that I prepare using bread are almond butter chia toast, guacamole sandwich, or paneer bhurji sandwich.
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What is Bread Upma?
Bread Upma is a classic South Indian breakfast/snack recipe made with bread pieces, onions, tomatoes, veggies, spices, and herbs. You can make it fresh or days-old bread.
In India, Bread poha is generally eaten for breakfast. You can also pack it for an adult or kids school lunch box or enjoy it as an evening snack. It's filling and delicious.
Other Upma Recipes are
Ingredients
You will need a few ingredients to make this bread masala upma recipe.
- Bread: use either white, wheat, or multigrain bread.
- Mustard seeds, cumin & urad dal: added for tempering.
- Green chilies: I used 2 Thai green chilies.
- Curry leaves: this is added to enhance the flavor, so don't skip it.
- Ginger: use freshly minced or grated ginger.
- Hing (Asafoetida): used for flavoring. You can also use gluten-free asafoetida.
- Veggies: I used finely chopped red onions and Roma tomatoes.
- Dry spices: used turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala powder.
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice tastes the best.
How to Make Bread Upma Recipe
Toast 5 slices of bread on low flame in a pan without oil, or use a toaster for toasting bread. This step is optional.
Cut the toasted bread slices into bite-size pieces and keep them ready. I have used multigrain bread for healthier choices. You can use any whole grain or even white bread for this recipe.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy bottom pan, then add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon urad dal, and saute for 1 minute until the dals change color.
Next, add ½ teaspoon chopped ginger, 2 green chilies, 1 pinch of asafetida (hing), and 1 stalk curry leaves. Saute another few seconds.
Add 1 medium onion (finely chopped) and saute them till they are soft and translucent.
Then add the following ingredients:
- 1 large tomato, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder (optional)
- salt to taste
Now add in the chopped toasted bread pieces and mix well.
On medium-low flame, cover and cook for 1-2 minutes. When done, switch off the flame.
Squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and garnish with 2 tablespoons coriander leaves. Serve the South Indian Style bread upma immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Serve bread upma hot with a cup of masala chai or coffee to make an enjoyable breakfast.
You can also top it with some sev (like aloo bhujia) and nuts like roasted peanuts, or cashews for added crunch.
Storage Suggestions
Bread Upma tastes best when made fresh and served immediately. It gets soggy when stored.
However, you can store the leftovers for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat it in a microwave or stovetop pan before serving.
Tips to Make the Best Bread Poha
- Toasting Bread: I highly recommend toasting or grilling the bread before, this helps to prevent upma from becoming soggy. But if you don't have time to toast, use regular bread.
- Use fresh bread: For the best flavor, use fresh bread that is not too soft or stale.
Variations
- Bread Type: Use either brown, wheat, multigrain, sourdough bread, or pav (dinner rolls) for healthier bread upma.
- Nuts: You can add roasted peanuts or cashews while tempering, adding crunchiness and richness to the dish. It also helps to boost plant-based protein.
- Veggies: You can add some vegetables like green peas, carrots, green beans, bell pepper, and sweet corn to make it healthy.
- Flavoring: For a twist, you can add some pav bhaji masala to make Mumbai street-style masala pav upma.
- Skip Onion: You can skip onion for a Jain version.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of bread to make this yummy bread upma (bread poha). White bread, brown bread, multi-grain, sourdough, gluten-free bread. You can also use the edges of the bread in this recipe.
I prefer Dave killer 21 Whole Grains Organic Bread for making bread upma at our home.
Yes. Toasting the bread prevents upma from becoming soggy when mixed with the other ingredients. If you prefer a softer texture, then skip the toasting bread step.
You can make bread upma healthier by using whole wheat or multigrain bread, adding more veggies, and reducing the amount of oil used in the recipe.
Yes, use gluten-free bread to make gluten-free bread upma.
More Indian Breakfast Recipes
Bread Upma Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 large slices wholegrain multigrain bread (or white bread)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- 1 teaspoon split urad dal (optional)
- a pinch asafoetida (hing)
- 2 green chilies finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ginger grated
- 1 stalk curry leaves
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 large tomato finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder (optional)
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves chopped
Instructions
- Toast the bread on low flame in a pan without oil or use a toaster for toasting bread. This step is optional.
- Cut the toasted bread slices into bite-size pieces and keep them ready. I have used multigrain bread for healthier choices. You can use any whole grain or even white bread for this recipe.
- Add oil in a heavy bottom pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, and saute for 1 minute until dals start changing color.
- Next, add chopped ginger, green chilies, asafetida (hing), and curry leaves. Saute another 20 secs.
- Followed by finely chopped onions and saute till they are translucent.
- Then add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, salt and cook them till soft.
- Now add in the chopped toasted bread pieces and mix well.
- On medium-low flame cover and cook for 1-2 minutes. When done, switch off the flame.
- Squeeze some lime juice and garnish with coriander leaves and Serve Bread Upma Immediately.
Notes
Tips & Variations:
- Use brown, wheat, or multigrain bread for healthier bread upma.
- You can add peanuts or cashews while tempering, adding crunchiness and richness to the dish.
- I highly recommend toasting or grilling the bread before, this helps to avoid upma from becoming soggy. But if you dont have time to toast, just used the regular bread.
- You can also add some veggies like green peas, carrots, and sweet corn to make it healthy.
Nutrition
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