Indian Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)

5 from 10 votes

Masala Oats is a mildly spiced Indian Style savory oatmeal breakfast porridge recipe prepared with mixed vegetables and Indian spices

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Indian

Keyword instant pot savory oats, masala oats, pressure cooker

Diet Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 279kcal

Author Bhavana Patil

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.

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.

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.

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT

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.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.