Masala Oats is a mildly spiced Indian-style savory oatmeal breakfast porridge made with mixed vegetables and Indian spices in the Instant Pot pressure cooker. This savory steel-cut oatmeal is vegan, gluten-free, and makes a satisfying meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. - Source Healthline.
There are two types of Oats, Steel-Cut Oats, and Rolled Oats. Within Rolled Oats, there are three 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 varieties.
Since steel-cut oats require a slightly longer cooking time on the stovetop, I like to cook them in an Instant Pot 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. I have shared the detailed instructions below.
This breakfast savory oats porridge (also known as savory oatmeal, spicy oats, curry oats) is very easy to cook and healthy. It is also great for people on a diet and weight watchers, who can have it for dinner or lunch. We love to eat it with plain yogurt. For a sweeter variation, you might also like to try our oats kheer recipe.
If you’re in need of more inspiration, take a look at our 25+ Indian Breakfast Recipes Collection for a variety of delicious dishes to kick-start your morning!
Here are some more Indian Oats Recipes you may love:
Jump to:
- Ingredients to make Indian Masala Oats
- How to Make Vegetable Masala Oats in Instant Pot
- Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions
- Stovetop Pot Instructions
- Serving Suggestions
- Make-Ahead and Storage
- Tips & Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Indian Breakfast Recipes
- Indian Masala Oats - (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Ingredients to make Indian Masala Oats
- Oats: Make sure to use plain steel-cut oats for this recipe, not quick oats. I like Bobs Red Mill steel cut oats brand, easily available in grocery stores or on Amazon.
- Green chili: I used Indian green chili for the heat.
- Ginger: Use freshly minced or homemade ginger paste for the best flavor.
- Vegetables: I used onions, tomatoes, carrots, beans, green peas, and bell pepper, but you can also swap for other vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, and sweet corn. You can either use fresh or frozen veggies.
- Water: To cook the oats. For making in Instant Pot, add 2 - 2.5 cups of water for 1 cup of steel-cut oats. You may also use vegetable broth. This recipe doesn't use any milk.
- Spices: I used cumin seeds, turmeric, red chili powder (paprika), and garam masala. If you dont have these spices, simply use curry powder.
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor.
How to Make Vegetable Masala Oats in Instant Pot
Press the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot. Add 1 tablespoon oil, and once it's hot, add 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds and let them splutter.
Next, add 1 green chili (chopped) and 1 teaspoon minced ginger, and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
Add 1 small onion (finely chopped) and saute until the onion becomes light brown.
Then add 1 medium tomato (finely chopped) and spices like ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, and ½ teaspoon garam masala until the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add 1 cup rinsed steel-cut oats, 1.5 cups of mixed veggies (carrot, beans, peas, bell pepper), 2.5 cups of water, and salt, and mix well. Deglaze the pot, i.e., scrape any food particle sticking to the inner pot to avoid the BURN alert.
Cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
Next, open the lid, add 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, 1 tablespoon of lime/lemon juice, and mix everything well.
Note: If masala oat's consistency is thick, add an extra ½ cup of water and let the mixture boil for 2 minutes.
Instant Pot Indian Masala oats are ready to be enjoyed with masala chai.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions
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 Instructions
For making masala oats recipe on the stovetop pot, I highly recommend using rolled oats like Quick oats. For every cup of quick-cooking rolled oats, add 2 cups of water. But for the old-fashioned rolled oats, you may need 2.5 cups of water.
- Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Then add green chilies, ginger, and saute for a few seconds.
- Add onions and saute until the onion becomes light brown.
- Then add chopped tomatoes and 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 quick-cooking 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 are flavorful and spicy on their own and typically need no accompaniment. However, if you prefer, you can serve them with a side of plain yogurt or raita, coconut chutney, and pair them with a hot cup of masala chai. Enjoy!
Make-Ahead and Storage
- To Make-Ahead: Yes, this is a great make-ahead breakfast. Let them cool to room temperature, and you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- To Freeze: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just note the texture may change.
- To Reheat: You can stir in a little more water to loosen the mixture to the desired consistency and then reheat it in a stovetop pot or microwave until warm.
Tips & Variations
- Add vegetables of your choice or skip veggies and make a simple onion, tomato, masala oats recipe.
- You can prepare oats upma similarly by adding mustard seeds, curry leaves, and 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.
- You can add some roasted nuts, and seeds on the top for crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oats are a rich source of protein and fiber, which helps to keep you full for longer, and feel more satisfied. Therefore it helps you to manage weight easily.
Indian Masala Oats - (Instant Pot & Stovetop)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 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 coriander leaves
- 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.
Video
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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afra
Lovely! I grew up with oats but then the norther european way - just simple. But these spicy vegetable filled oats are my new favourite! I have to admit I used less chili (for breakfast I like my food milder) but it is great!! Thank you so much for bringing colour into my morning!
afra
Lovely! I grew up with oats but then the norther european way - just simple. But these spicy vegetable filled oats are my new favourite! I have to admit I used less chili (for breakfast I like my food milder) but it is great!!
Anonymous
Can I use quaker oats instead of steel cut oats?
Bhavana Patil
Yes you can use Quaker oats. If you are using Quaker Old fashioned oats use 2.5 cups of water for 1 cup of oats. If using instant or quick oats use 2 cups of water for 1 cup oats. Hope its useful. You will need instant pot only if cooking steel-cut oats as it takes longer to cook. If using rolled oats luike old fashioned, you can make on the stovetop.
Nikki
I was wondering if I could use old fashioned oats in place of steel cut oats?
Bhavana Patil
Hi Nikki, Yes you can use old fashioned oats to make masala oats in instant pot. Just pressure cook on high for 3 minutes and NPR, if using old fashioned oats.
Barb G
Four servings is a lot for one person. Can this be warmed up for another meal, or what options are there
Bhavana Patil
Hi Barb, 4 servings, in this case, is for 4 people. Yes, you can reheat with little water (as it gets dry when refrigerated) in a microwave or stovetop pot.
Vihang
Thank you so much for this masala oats recipe i really enjoyed making this for the same.
Bhavana Patil
Hi Vihang, Glad you liked it. 🙂