Masala Oats is a mildly spiced Indian Style savory oatmeal breakfast porridge recipe prepared with mixed vegetables, Indian spices in Instant Pot. This savory steel cut oatmeal is vegan, gluten-free, and great even for lunch or dinner!
Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. - Source Healthline.
There are 2 types of Oats, Rolled Oats and Steel-Cut Oats. Within Rolled Oats, there are 3 varieties: Instant Oats, Quick Oats, and Old-Fashioned. I have used Steel-Cut Oats for this recipe as they are minimally processed, and contain more fiber and density than other oats variety. You may also use Old-Fashioned oats for this recipe.
Since cooking Steel-cut oats take longer on the stovetop, I like to cook in a pressure cooker. However, if you don't have steel-cut oats, you can make masala oats with “Rolled” oats. Since rolled oats cook faster, you can make them on the stovetop pot. Have shared the detailed instructions below.
This breakfast savory oats porridge is very easy to cook and healthy. It is also great for people who are on a diet and weight watchers as they can have it for dinner or lunch.
Ingredients
- Oats: I have used steel cut oats in this recipe. I like Bobs Red Mill steel cut oats brand that is easily available in grocery stores or amazon.
- Green chili: I have used Thai green chili for the heat.
- Ginger: I have minced fresh ginger. You can also add minced garlic.
- Vegetables: I have used onions, tomato, carrots, beans, peas, and bell pepper. You can also swap for other vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, sweet corn. You can either use fresh or frozen veggies.
- Oil: You can use any cooking oil.
- Water: For making in Instant Pot add 2 - 2.5 cups of water for 1 cup of steel cut oats. You can also add vegetable broth.
- Spices: I have used cumin seeds, turmeric, red chili powder (paprika), and garam masala to make Indian masala oats. If you dont have these spices simply use curry powder.
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Coriander leaves: for garnish.
How to Make Masala Oats in Instant Pot
Press SAUTE, Add oil, and once it’s hot add cumin seeds, let them splutter.
Then add green chilies, ginger, and saute for few seconds.
Add onions and saute until onion becomes light brown.
Then add chopped tomatoes along with spices like red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add rinsed steel-cut oats, mixed vegetables, water, salt and mix well. Deglaze the pot i.e., scrape any food particle that is sticking to the inner pot in order to avoid the BURN alert.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
Next, open the lid, add coriander leaves, lime juice, and mix everything well.
Note: If the consistency of masala oats is thick then add extra ½ cup water and let the mixture boil for 2 minutes.
Instant Pot Indian Masala oats is ready to be enjoyed with masala chai.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
Follow the same steps from the instant pot instructions. Pressure cook on medium heat for 1-2 whistles and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. All the other steps remain the same.
Stovetop Pot Method
- For making masala oats recipe on the stovetop pot, I highly recommend using rolled oats like "Quick" oats. For every cup of rolled oats, add 2 cups of water. But for Old-Fashioned, you may need 2.5 cups of water.
- In a large pan, add oil, and once it’s hot add cumin seeds, let them splutter. Then add green chilies, ginger, and saute for few seconds.
- Add onions and saute until onion becomes light brown.
- Then add chopped tomatoes along with spices like red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy.
- Next, add mixed veggies and saute for a minute or two.
- Add 1 cup of rolled oats and roast for a minute. Followed by 2 cups of water and salt. Mix everything well. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on medium-low heat or till the oats get cooked well. Adjust the consistency of the porridge according to your preference.
- Lastly, squeeze some lime juice and garnish it with coriander leaves.
Serving Suggestions
Masala Oats is spicy, flavorful on its own, and needs no accompaniment. If you like, serve it with yogurt or raita and a hot cup of masala tea. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Add vegetables of our choice or you can skip veggies and make simple onion, tomato masala oats recipe.
- You can prepare oats upma in a similar way by adding mustard seeds and curry leaves along with cumin seeds at the beginning.
- Masala oats thicken as it cools down hence, adjust the consistency of the porridge by adding hot water before serving.
- can add some roasted nuts, seeds on the top for crunch.
- Leftovers savory oats porridge can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More Breakfast Recipes
- Bread Upma
- Fruit Sandwich
- Beetroot Carrot Sandwich
- Spinach Corn Sandwich
- Yogurt Sandwich
- Broccoli Mayo Sandwich
Indian Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 green chili finely chopped
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato finely chopped
- 1 - 1 ½ cups mixed veggies (carrot,beans,peas,bell pepper)
- 1 cup steel cut oats rinsed
- 2 ½ cups water adjust to consistency
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- juice of half lime
Dry Spices
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Press SAUTE, Add oil, and once it’s hot add cumin seeds, let them splutter.
- Then add green chilies, ginger, and saute for few seconds.
- Add onions and saute until onion becomes light brown.
- Then add chopped tomatoes along with spices like red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy.
- Add rinsed steel-cut oats, mixed vegetables, water, salt and mix well. Deglaze the pot i.e., scrape any food particle that is sticking to the inner pot in order to avoid the BURN alert.
- Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
- Next, open the lid, add coriander leaves, lime juice, and mix everything well.Note: If the consistency of masala oats is thick then add extra ½ cup water and let the mixture boil for 2 minutes.
- Instant Pot Masala oats is ready to be enjoyed with masala chai.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
- Follow the same steps from the instant pot instructions. Pressure cook on medium heat for 1-2 whistles and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. All the other steps remain the same.
Stovetop Pot Method:
- For making masala oats recipe on the stovetop pot, I highly recommend using rolled oats like "Quick" oats. For every cup of rolled oats, add 2 cups of water. But for Old-Fashioned, you may need 2.5 cups of water.
- In a large pan, add oil, and once it’s hot add cumin seeds, let them splutter. Then add green chilies, ginger, and saute for few seconds
- Add onions and saute until onion becomes light brown.
- Then add chopped tomatoes along with spices like red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy
- Next, add mixed veggies and saute for a minute or two.
- Add 1 cup of rolled oats and roast for a minute. Followed by 2 cups of water and salt. Mix everything well. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on medium-low heat or till the oats get cooked well. Adjust the consistency of the porridge according to your preference
- Lastly, squeeze some lime juice and garnish it with coriander leaves.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Add vegetables of our choice or you can skip veggies and make simple onion, tomato masala oats.
- You can prepare oats upma in a similar way by adding mustard seeds and curry leaves along with cumin seeds at the beginning.
- Masala oats thicken as it cools down hence, adjust the consistency of the porridge by adding hot water before serving.
- can add some roasted nuts, seeds on the top for crunch.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
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