Watch How to Make Indian Masala Oats
Savory Oatmeal with Spices and Veggies
Often, the sweeter oatmeal variant is preferred by most, but this Indian spiced masala oats are amazing and everyone including the kids loved them. You can also call this recipe – oats upma, curry oatmeal or spicy oats! This healthy oatmeal recipe is made with wholesome veggies, so it is a great breakfast option and an excellent way to start the day. You can also try to have Indian masala oats for lunch or dinner. If you have tried and are a fan of the popular Indian superfood, Khichdi, then you are sure to fall in love with this savory vegetable oats porridge, aka masala oats. My kids love this oatmeal with plain yogurt. Looking for more ideas? Check out the 15+ Indian Breakfast Recipes Collection.
How to make Masala Oats in the Instant Pot?
I have used steel-cut oats to make this masala oatmeal in the Instant Pot. Steel-cut oats take longer to cook on the stovetop, but are great to cook in a pressure cooker. I have used onions, tomatoes along with a frozen mix of carrots, green beans, peas, corn for this savory masala oatmeal recipe. You can use fresh or frozen veggies. Both will cook well in the suggested cooking time. This masala oatmeal recipe does not use any milk. It is cooked in water or you can use vegetable broth. So let’s get started-
Set the instant pot in sauté mode and let it heat. Then add ghee/oil, along with some cumin seeds, and let them sizzle. Then add the green chili, onions, ginger, and garlic. Sauté them well for a few minutes until the onions are translucent. Add tomato and spices. Mix well. If you like, you can also add cashews to the masala oats. Now, add the mixed vegetables along with steel-cut oats and water. Stir and mix them well. In case any veggie or oats is stuck at the bottom, deglaze it and close the Instant pot lid.
Now pressure cook mode for 8 minutes at high pressure. (5 minutes for quick cooking steel-cut oats) When the Instant pot beeps, wait for 10 minutes, then release the pressure and open the lid. It is okay to do a natural pressure release too. Add a bit of lime juice to the cooked masala oats and mix well. Garnish them with fresh cilantro leaves and enjoy with a dollop of yogurt.
How to make Masala Oats on the Stovetop?
When making this Indian masala oats on a stovetop, I suggest using rolled oats as they cook quickly on the stovetop. For every cup of rolled oats, add 2 cups of water. Follow the above steps for cooking the masala oats on the stove. But, after adding the oats and water, cook them covered for 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat or till they have cooked completely and reached the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy these spicy oats just as it is or add a dollop of fresh yogurt on the side and enjoy them. Garnish with some cilantro and roasted nuts. Give these delicious Masala Oatmeal a try, and I would love to hear how they turn out! Here are other breakfast recipes you might enjoy:
Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats Banana Bread Pudding Sweetened Oatmeal with Cardamom and Nuts Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
