masala oats

Masala Oats Recipe

By Swasthi on May 30, 2023, Comments, Jump to Recipe

This Masala Oats is the perfect breakfast to begin your day! Rolled Oats, veggies and spices come together to make a delicious dish that’s healthy as well delicious. This Indian Masala Oats is perfect for brunch, breakfast or even as a light vegetarian dinner option. Make it in a pot on the stovetop or in the instant pot.

Masala Oats

You don’t need any sides to serve with this. But if you plan to serve it for dinner or lunch, you may extend your menu with some papads, Kachumber, a bowl of Curd or Raita.

What is Masala Oats?

Masala Oats is simply oatmeal cooked with Indian masala (spices) in desi style. You can make it plain or with vegetables, leafy greens and herbs for a nourishing meal.

You will find many brands selling instant masala oats. If you have been using the store bought mix I highly recommend trying out this homemade version for a healthier option.

With ZERO preservatives and additives this masala oats is one of the healthiest you can make under 25 mins with very little effort. This recipe is vegetarian but you can also make it vegan by simply using oil for ghee.

To make this Masala Oats, I prefer using rolled oats for the texture but you can also use instant or quick cook oats. Also I use fresh chopped mixed vegetables like carrots, beans & tomatoes. To save sometime you may use frozen mixed vegetables and tomato puree or paste.

More Oats Recipes
Savory Steel Cut Oats
Oats Upma
Oats Khichdi
Oatmeal with milk
Vegetable Oats Porridge

How to Make Masala Oats (Stepwise Photos)

1. Prepare the following vegetables

  • ¼ cup onions chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup tomatoes (deseeded & chopped or pureed)
  • 1 green chili (slit or chopped, Optional, leave out for kids)
  • ½ cup carrots (peeled and fine chopped)
  • ¼ cup green beans or French beans (fine chopped)
  • ¼ cup green peas
  • ¼ cup frozen sweet corn (optional)
  • ¾ teaspoon ginger (peeled, crushed or chopped)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic (peeled, crushed or chopped)
vegetables in a plate to make masala oats

2. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons ghee or oil to a pot & heat on a medium flame. When the oil becomes hot, add ½ to ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds. Soon the seeds will begin to sizzle, add the onions and green chili. Stir fry until lightly golden.

season with cumin seeds and saute onions

3. Add the ginger garlic and saute for a minute.

fry ginger garlic to make masala oats

4. Stir in the tomatoes and saute until they turn soft. You can also cover and cook at this stage. I feel using pureed tomatoes cook faster so I often do that.

add tomatoes to make masala oats

5. Stir in the following ground spices

  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (use ¼ for low heat)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala (use lesser for milder flavors)
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
add spices to the pan

6. Add the veggies and stir fry for 2 mins. Pour 3½ cups water and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the veggies are slightly tender, for 3 mins. If using instant oats use 2½ cups.

saute veggies

7. Add the 1 rolled oats.

add rolled oats

8. Stir and leave the spoon in the pot to prevent overflowing. Let cook on a medium heat until thick. Stir occasionally.

cooking masala oats in a pot

9. Stir in the salt. Taste test and add more garam masala if you want. For more heat you can also add crushed black pepper. If it is too thick for your liking you may add little more boiling hot water and simmer for a minute or 2.

thick consistency of masala oats

Cool down the Masala oats slightly and then squeeze in the lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.

masala oats recipe

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

masala oats recipe

Masala Oats Recipe

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.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings2
AuthorSwasthi
Diet : Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1 cup rolled oats (read notes for substitutes)
  • 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)


Instructions

How to Make Masala Oats on the stovetop

  • 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.
  • Add the ginger garlic and saute for a minute until aromatic.
  • Add the tomatoes and saute until soft and mushy. Stir in the spices – chili powder, turmeric and garam masala.
  • Stir in the veggies – carrots, peas, beans and corn. Stir fry for a minute.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Turn off when it is of pouring consistency yet thick. Add salt to taste. Taste test and add more garam masala if you want.
  • Cool down a bit & stir in the lemon juice. Garnish masala oats with coriander leaves before serving.

Instant Pot Masala Oats

  • 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.
  • Pour lemon juice before serving and garnish with coriander leaves.


Notes

  1. You may use instant oats in place of rolled oats. Reduce water to 2½ cups & cut down the ground spices.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Masala Oats Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 19mg6%
Sodium 1318mg57%
Potassium 652mg19%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 6408IU128%
Vitamin C 54mg65%
Calcium 93mg9%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

Masala Oats Recipe

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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Comments

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5 stars
Thank you for sharing this and so many other recipes! Loved the masala oats recipe and followed it to the point to a very healthy breakfast experience!

Superb ❤

5 stars
Made it today. I t is so healthy, easy and yummy. thank you

5 stars
This looks delicious! Can it be done with barley?

5 stars
Yummy and so good.

5 stars
This was amazing and turned out delicious. I added a handful of dill leaves and lemon juice is great in this.

5 stars
Excellent presentation , easy to cook

5 stars
Very good.

Which oats have been used? Rolled or steel cut?

Mza AA gya

Will it enhance the taste if we add chana to this recipe? Or it will bounce back???

5 stars
Delicious! It tastes like a healthy version of Maggi Noodles! Sooo good! Going to make it again for sure!

super recipe

What do you mean by dry the oats ? isn’t clear to me

5 stars
Nice tips

5 stars
i have no cooking experience but i made it and it turned out great! thanks for the recipe 🙂

5 stars
Hi swathi I made this recipe very tasty enjoyed very much,in your recipes I saw salt in pink colour is it Himalaya pink salt ,if it is whe re can I find in Singapore

Hi swathi thank you for your reply. Pink salt is’nt good to take continuesly why we need to give break for 1m.

5 stars
Thank you for the information ?

5 stars
This is the first time preparing oats.the recipe was delicious. Everybody at home loved it

4 stars
Thanks dear…I tried masala oats and it came out nicely…Finally got something right thanks to you

5 stars
Love this. Never thought oats can be this delicious
Thanks a lot

5 stars
I made it today.. It was yummy.. Husband liked it so much… Thanks for the receipe… 🙂