Whether it is a busy weekday morning or a lazy one, you can never go wrong starting the day with a good breakfast! It is my family’s favorite meal of the day. We have found that it truly sets the tone for the rest of the day. We have more energy when we’re fueled up in the morning.
Breakfast means breaking the fast from the night before. It is important to have a good, healthy breakfast to fuel your body and kickstart your metabolism.
There are so many varieties when it comes to Indian breakfast – Poha and Vada Pav from Maharashtra, Idli and Upma from South India, Parathas and Sabudana Khichdi from North India, Dhokla and Khaman from Gujarat.
It’s easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut. Sometimes, you just need a few ideas to get the wheels turning.
What do Indians Eat for Breakfast?
A typical breakfast in India varies a lot by state and region. Each region has its own specialty, which can depend on the weather and popularly used ingredients in the region. North India: A breakfast plate in North India might include paratha with pickle and yogurt. The breakfast in the Northern parts of India is usually heavier. This could be because the weather there can get colder, and traditionally, many worked in fields, which meant they needed more energy. South India: A breakfast plate in Southern India might have dosa (lentil & rice crepes) or idli (steamed savory rice cakes) along with sambar and chutney. Or Upma made with semolina or vermicelli. This is typically a lighter breakfast, filled with essential nutrients to start the day. Central and Western India: The popular choice for breakfast here is poha. In the western state of Gujarat, dhokla and the largest are popular choices. In Maharashtra, Vada Pav is a popular & humble breakfast choice. All over India, breakfast is enjoyed with tea (chai) or coffee.
Popular Indian Breakfast Recipes
Below, I am sharing my favorite Indian Breakfast Recipes from all over India. As you explore this round-up of excellent healthy breakfast recipes, I hope you find inspiration to try something new! Most Indian breakfast recipes are vegetarian, and many are vegan. They’re great for a filling brunch, too!
Poha
Poha is an easy and delicious Indian breakfast recipe popular in western and central India. Made with flattened rice, onion, and potatoes and seasoned with mild spices, curry leaves, peanuts, and cilantro, this recipe also makes up for a quick mid-day snack.
Idli (Savory Rice Cakes)
Idli is the quintessential South Indian breakfast, also popular across India. Learn how to make the perfect soft and fluffy idlis! Enjoy it with wholesome sambar and coconut chutney.
Paratha Recipe (Pan-fried Indian flatbread)
Paratha, one of India’s most popular unleavened flatbreads, is perfect for breakfast with pickle and a hot cup of chai or alongside curry and yogurt raita for lunch or dinner. Parathas are typically made from whole wheat flour by layering and rolling the dough and cooking it with ghee or oil on the griddle. The basic paratha, or a variety of stuffed parathas, are popularly enjoyed for breakfast in North India.
Khaman Dhokla
Soft and fluffy Khaman made in the pressure cooker or stovetop. Khaman is a popular Gujarati snack made from ground gram flour or besan (also called chickpea flour). These steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are enjoyed with green chutney and tamarind chutney for breakfast.
Gujarati Khandvi
Learn how to make this popular healthy snack from Gujarat – Khandvi rolls. These melts-in-the-mouth, soft, and flavorful rolls are made with basic ingredients of gram flour and yogurt and then tempered with mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and ginger and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and grated coconut. These attractive yellow rolls are perfect to enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.
Healthy Sabudana Khichdi
A healthier Sabudana Khichdi recipe – Tapioca pearls/Sago cooked with potatoes, carrots, green peas, and crushed peanuts. This popular vegan and gluten-free dish is like a pilaf or upma made with tapioca pearls. Enjoy it for breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea.
Crispy Dosa
Learn how to make the best crispy dosa from scratch with homemade dosa batter, along with all the tips and tricks to get the perfect crispy dosa every time! This is the plain dosa or sada dosa recipe. You can easily tailor this recipe to make masala dosa by stuffing potato masala.
Aloo Paratha
Aloo Paratha is a popular North Indian layered flatbread stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes. The parathas are roasted on the hot griddle until crisp and brown on the outside. Serve them with pickle and yogurt for an authentic Punjabi breakfast.
Indian Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)
Masala Oats is a savory oatmeal breakfast porridge cooked with lots of vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. It’s a healthy and delicious vegan breakfast recipe. This healthy oatmeal recipe is made with wholesome veggies, so it is a great breakfast option and an excellent way to start the day.
Moong Dal Chilla
Moong Dal Chilla is a delicious protein-packed Indian breakfast made with yellow moong dal mixed with simple spices and herbs, including chilies and onions. These savory lentil pancakes are a nutritious, vegan, and gluten-free breakfast.
Semiya Upma (Vermicelli Upma)
This Semiya Upma is a traditional South Indian breakfast. Made with vermicelli and vegetables, this upma is mildly spiced and an easy one-pot recipe. You can make it on the stovetop or in the instant pot in less than 25 minutes, and you can enjoy it with chutney!
Ven Pongal
Made with rice and lentils, this satisfying South Indian breakfast recipe, Ven Pongal, is enjoyed with sambar and chutney. Deliciously seasoned with curry leaves, cumin seeds, and black pepper, this vegetarian and gluten-free recipe is a wholesome meal.
Vada Pav (Potato Fritter Sliders)
Vada Pav is the humble street food of Mumbai. A fried potato fritter, or vada, is stuffed in between mini-burger buns called pav, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney. It is also known as Batata Vada, where Batata is potato in Marathi, and Pav is bread, similar to dinner rolls. They are typically served with a spicy garlic chutney.
Rava / Sooji Upma
An easy and popular South Indian breakfast – Upma. Rava Upma is a thick porridge made from dry roasted semolina, cooked along with various vegetables and seasonings. This is a delicious and warm breakfast, a great way to start the day along with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Egg Bhurji
Egg bhurji is the Indian twist to scrambled eggs. Packed with the right amount of flavor and spice, these delicious Indian scrambled eggs are perfect for any meal of the day!
Rava Dhokla
Soft and fluffy Rava Dhokla are delicious savory semolina cakes. This popular Gujarati delicacy is perfect to enjoy for breakfast or snack! You will love this easy instant Dhokla for breakfast with a hot cup of chai. They are a little spicy with the addition of ginger and green chili. This is also one of my favorites to serve if we have guests over.
Oats Kheer
Oats Kheer, also known as Oats payasam, is a delicious twist of using oats in Indian dessert recipes. Oats Kheer is a healthier version of the traditional rice kheer but with the same rich and creamy taste. It is great to enjoy for breakfast, too. Made with oats, milk, sugar, and cardamom, this healthy recipe can be cooked in the pressure cooker or on the stovetop.
Gujarati Handvo
Handvo is a classic Gujarati one-pot dish made from rice and lentils and loaded with mixed vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. It is so delicious and healthy. It is a flavorful breakfast with crispy edges and a soft, fluffy texture. It is a protein-packed, healthy, and easy-to-make dish. Serve it with green chutney or pickle and a cup of tea.
Besan Chilla (Savory Gram Flour Pancakes)
Besan Chilla is a family favorite, known for its characteristic earthy flavor from besan/ gram flour and simple Indian spices and herbs, including chilies and onions. These savory gram-flour pancakes are nutritious and vegan! Perfect to enjoy with your favorite pickle or chutney!
Sabudana Vada
Sabudana Vada is a traditional Maharashtrian snack made from tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts, herbs, and spices. These sago fritters are delectable! The sabudana vada made with my recipe is a fail recipe, and you get crispy, golden vadas with a pillowy soft center.
Thepla
Theplas are a type of Indian flatbread that originated in the western state of Gujarat. They are usually made from a soft dough of whole wheat flour, gram flour (besan), yogurt, fenugreek/ methi leaves, and spices and grilled on a heated tawa or frying pan. This delectable thepla is ideal for breakfast with chai.
Paneer Paratha
Paneer Paratha is a delicious, whole wheat flatbread stuffed with Indian cottage cheese, aromatic herbs, and spices. These stuffed parathas are wholesome and make for a satisfying breakfast or brunch. They are kid-approved and make for a great lunch box option, too.
Quinoa Dosa
This crispy quinoa dosa is my go-to recipe for a quick South Indian meal. It does not use rice or fermentation, and because quinoa is the main ingredient, it is also high in protein and healthier.
Millet Pongal
Thinai Pongal, also known as foxtail millet pongal, is a nutritious pongal that is made of foxtail millet and moong lentils. This savory foxtail millet Pongal is a delicious breakfast option and can also be a great lunch or dinner.
Broccoli Paratha
Broccoli paratha is a nutritious and delicious variation of stuffed paratha made with a spicy and savory broccoli filling. Serve these broccoli parathas for breakfast with pickle and yogurt.
I hope you have found your favorite Indian breakfast to make! Let me know what you are most excited to make, and when you make it, don’t forget to tag #pipingpotcurry. Here are more recipe collections you will love:
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