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 essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. - Source Healthline.
There are two types of Oats, Rolled Oats and Steel-Cut 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 oats upma, 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.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love this Masala Oats Recipe
- Ingredients to make Indian Masala Oats
- How to Make Masala Oats in Instant Pot
- Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions
- Stovetop Pot Instructions
- Serving Suggestions for Masala Oats
- Make-Ahead and Storage
- Tips & Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Breakfast Recipes
- Indian Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)
Why You'll Love this Masala Oats Recipe
- One-pot breakfast dish, ready in less than 20 minutes of time
- Quick and perfect for busy mornings
- Healthy, wholesome, nutritious, and full of flavor
- Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Nut-free
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 Thai green chili for the heat.
- Ginger: Use freshly minced for the best flavor.
- Vegetables: I used onions, tomato, 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.
- Oil: You can use any cooking oil.
- 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 to make homemade Indian masala oats. If you dont have these spices, simply use curry powder.
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor.
- Coriander leaves: for garnish.
How to Make Masala Oats in Instant Pot
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot, Add oil, and once it's hot, 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, and garam masala until 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 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 coriander leaves, lime 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 rolled oats, add 2 cups of water. But for the Old-Fashioned, 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 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 for Masala Oats
Masala Oats are spicy, flavorful on their own, and need no accompaniment. If you like, serve it with chutney, yogurt, or raita, and a hot cup of masala tea. 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 it up to get the desired consistency and then reheat them on the 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.
More Breakfast Recipes
- Poha
- Bread Upma
- Sabudana Khichdi
- Quinoa Upma
- Beetroot Carrot Sandwich
- Spinach Corn Sandwich
- Yogurt Sandwich
- Broccoli Mayo Sandwich
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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.
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.
Vihang says
Thank you so much for this masala oats recipe i really enjoyed making this for the same.
Bhavana Patil says
Hi Vihang, Glad you liked it. 🙂
Barb G says
Four servings is a lot for one person. Can this be warmed up for another meal, or what options are there
Bhavana Patil says
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.