Masala Oats

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Healthy masala oats make the perfect balanced breakfast option for busy mornings. This saffola masala oats copycat recipe is made with Indian spices like garam masala and turmeric. You will stay full and satisfied for hours with this comforting dish! These savory oats can be ready in about 15 minutes and just happen to be naturally gluten-free and vegan too!

Vegan masala oats are easy to make, simple to incorporate as part of your daily routine, and will give you the energy to start your day off right! There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this Indian oats recipe, making it a great choice for the whole family. 

If you have been looking for a way to switch up your typical oatmeal breakfast recipes, these spicy oats are the way to go! You might even try this savory oatmeal as dinner. It really is the perfect snack or meal for all different times of day!

This simple masala oats recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the taste of home-cooked food but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Let the fragrant spices work their magic to bring instant comfort in this dish. 

Want to try out recipes with a flavor similar to these homemade oats with masala? Check out my vegan tikka masala, my chana aloo masala, and my rajma masala!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Vegan friendly breakfast
• Gluten-free
• Requires minimal effort
• Good source of proteins
• Uses real vegetables
• A healthy Indian breakfast recipe
• Creamy and flavorful
• Best saffola oats copycat recipe!

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🥘 Ingredients

This recipe for masala oats use many ingredients that you probably already have on hand with a few special spices that might be new to you. You can easily find these ingredients at your local grocery store.

• Quick Oats: Quick oats, or instant oats, cut down the cook time and add creaminess to this recipe. You could also use rolled oats or steel-cut oats, following the directions on the packaging. 
• Oil: Sauté the spices and veggies with vegetable oil or coconut oil to bring out the flavors.
• Cumin Seeds & Coriander: These spices will create a comforting aroma and flavor as they sauté in the pan. Both have a warm, earthy note while cumin seeds are more smokey and ground coriander has nutty, floral notes.
• Green Chili: Green chilis add the perfect spice to these Indian breakfast oats. They are not overbearing and milder than jalapenos.
• Onion, Ginger, Garlic: These are a classic in savory dishes! Use fresh, minced garlic, minced ginger, and diced onion for these healthy oats instead of garlic powder, ginger powder, and onion powder. I prefer yellow onion for this recipe but you could try red onions, too. The combination of ginger and garlic provides a spicy kick to this Indian oatmeal with vegetables.
• Fresh Vegetables: This healthy savory oatmeal is loaded with tomato, carrots, and peas to add fiber and flavor. Saffola oats peppy tomato flavor uses dried french beans and tomato powder but this healthier option is made with fresh, diced veggies!
• Paprika, Turmeric, Garam Masala: Paprika is made from ground red bell peppers, delivering a very mild heat. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory health benefits and ability to control free radicals. It can also help maintain blood sugar levels. This Indian spice looks similar to ginger but has a golden orange natural color. You could use fresh or powdered turmeric in this recipe. Lastly, garam masala, which is a fragrant blend of Indian spices, adds the perfect balance of warmth to the oat curry.
• Salt: The flavors of this curry oatmeal are naturally enhanced thanks to salt. It adds more depth and boldness to the spiced oats.
• Lime & Coriander Leaves: While these are both optional garnishes, I highly recommend using them for additional brightness and a citrus boost to complement the warm spices and earthy flavors. 

🔪 Instructions

Masala oats are a quick breakfast with only a few simple steps! Here is how to make this nutritious meal that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

Sauté: Heat the oil and sauté the cumin seeds for 30 seconds.

Add Aromatics: Add the diced onion and green chili and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

Add Veggies & Spices: Stir in the garlic, ginger and tomato, cook until softened. Add the carrot and green peas. Stir through the paprika, turmeric, garam masala, coriander and salt.

Cook: Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender. 

Add Oats: Reduce to medium heat and add the whole oats, stir, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. (Cook longer if you’re using rolled oats).

Check Consistency: Check the consistency and texture of the oats. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if needed, adding additional water if it’s a little dry.

Garnish And Serve: When cooked, sprinkle fresh coriander leaves, if using, and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

💭 Expert Tips

• If you need to reheat the oats, do so by adding a little extra water, covering and microwaving for 1-2 minutes or heating in a pot over a low heat until just warmed through.
• For creamier oats, swap the water for almond milk or coconut milk. You can also use desiccated coconut powder or milk powder.
• Use instant oatmeal cereal (quick oats) to speed up the cooking. If using rolled oats add an additional 5 minutes to cooking. You may also need to add additional water while cooking if using rolled oats.

📖 Variations

• Add Nuts: Topping this Indian oatmeal with cashews, sliced almond, or other nuts is a great way to get in extra protein and added texture.
• Other Mix-Ins: This “oats khichdi” recipe is very versatile. Try it with fresh herbs, mint leaves, fenugreek leaves, fruits, or seeds!
• Other Veggies: Make these spicy oats with a variety of vegetables like green beans, cauliflower, or sweet potato.
• Extra Flavor: For added flavor, you can swap the water for vegetable broth.
• Oats Upma: Similar to this recipe, you can use natural wholegrain oats to make oats upma! You will use curry leaves, red chili powder, green chillies, lemon juice, bell pepper, and peanuts in this recipe, which is just a variation on this Indian oatmeal. 
• More Spice: Turn up the heat by adding cayenne, crushed red pepper, or other spices of your choice to these India oats.

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🍲 More Easy & Delicious Oatmeal Recipes!

• Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal
• Vegan Baked Oatmeal
• Quinoa Oatmeal
• Bananas and Cream Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
• Protein Baked Oats

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