Indian Masala Oats is a one pot delicious and healthy dish of oatmeal simmered with veggies and spices. Further served with lemon juice for a tangy, slightly spicy and hearty meal.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 12 minutes
  • Cook time: 18 minutes
  • Total time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats ((read notes for substitutes))
  • 3½ cups water ((more if required, 3 cups for IP))
  • ¼ cup onions (chopped (optional))
  • ½ cup tomatoes ((chopped and deseeded or pureed))
  • ½ cup carrots ((fine chopped))
  • ¼ cup green beans ((fine chopped))
  • ¼ cup green peas
  • ¼ cup sweet corn ((optional))
  • ¾ teaspoon (½ inch) ginger ((crushed or chopped))
  • ¾ teaspoon (2 cloves) garlic ((crushed or chopped))
  • 1 green chili ((slit or chopped, Optional))
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons ghee (or oil)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder ((for low heat use ¼))
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium lemon ((to serve))
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves ((chopped))

Method

How to Make Masala Oats on the stovetop

  1. Heat ghee or oil in a pot and add cumin seeds. When they begin to sizzle, add the onions and green chili. Saute until light golden.
  2. Add the ginger garlic and saute for a minute until aromatic.
  3. Add the tomatoes and saute until soft and mushy. Stir in the spices – chili powder, turmeric and garam masala.
  4. Stir in the veggies – carrots, peas, beans and corn. Stir fry for a minute.
  5. Pour water and increase the heat to bring it to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let cook until the veggies are slightly tender, for 3 to 4 mins.
  6. Stir in oats. Cook uncovered until the oats soften and the masala oats turn thick. If it is too thick you may add little hot water to adjust the consistency.
  7. Turn off when it is of pouring consistency yet thick. Add salt to taste. Taste test and add more garam masala if you want.
  8. Cool down a bit & stir in the lemon juice. Garnish masala oats with coriander leaves before serving.

Instant Pot Masala Oats

  1. Perform all the steps same on a saute mode until you pour water. Stir in the oats and pressure cook for 2 mins on porridge mode. Wait for the pressure to release naturally for 5 to 6 mins. Release the rest manually. Add salt and stir well.
  2. Pour lemon juice before serving and garnish with coriander leaves.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.