I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “savory oatmeal - um excuse me?”
Similar to our oat bran bowl with tofu and buttery oat bran, savory oat bran is the new breakfast thing.
It’s not as weird as you think it might be. I promise this savory oat recipe is going to change everything you ever thought about oats.
Do you know how we all normalize savory porridge including grits and polenta? This is no different - we’re just using oatmeal instead.
I was never a big fan of sweet oats in the morning. I always felt they were too sweet, too heavy, and too much for the first meal of the day.
Besides, I gravitated towards savory breakfast meals including avocado toast or a tofu scramble.
Because of my terrible relationship with sweet oats, I started digging online on how to make savory oatmeal happen.
First, I started with basic savory oat bran, made with a pinch of salt and creamy, vegan butter. After that, I started to get a little creative and add more toppings like tofu and vegetables.
Then came this recipe. A savory, Indian-style oatmeal bowl with incredible flavor that can also be served for dinner, lunch, or as a snack.
My favorite part about this recipe? Takes less than 10 minutes to make and it’s completely vegan. It helps that oat bran has quite a bit of protein and fiber in it - nearly double than old-fashioned oats.
Meaning, you'll be kept satiated for a while.
Savory oatmeal is also a quick, easy, and healthy comfort food to have for dinner - so if that’s what you want at the end of your busy day, then load up those bowls!
More Breakfast Oat Ideas:
How To Make Savory Oatmeal
We’re using oat bran in this recipe. This is for a few reasons: they are faster to make than old-fashioned oats, have more fiber and protein, and the texture is creamier - similar to milled wheat or farina.
First, you’ll cook your fragrant ingredients including garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds. Then, you’ll add the spices.
I used many common north Indian spices in this recipe including garam masala.
Then, you’ll want to add the oat bran, frozen vegetables, and some water. Allow everything to simmer and thicken for a couple of minutes and you’re done!
It should take only 10 minutes from start to finish.
What To Add
There aren’t any limitations to savory oatmeal. If you want to add a little more deliciousness to this bowl, don’t hold back - go for it!
Spices: garam masala, turmeric, curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, red chili flakes, coriander, cumin, paprika powder
Vegetables: Tomatoes, peas, corn, carrots, spinach, potatoes, peppers, ginger, onion, garlic, broccoli, eggplant
Sauces & Fats: vegan sour cream, vegan butter, pesto
Toppings: cilantro/coriander leaves, chopped onion, cashews, avocado, crispy chickpeas
Other additions that pair well with this recipe include nutritional yeast, tofu, green chili, onion, pinto beans, lentils kale, and tomato paste.
I tried to keep the ingredients list short, but you're welcome to make and alterations or additions!
Fun fact: Quaker oats sell savory, Indian-inspired oatmeal. Unfortunately, it appears to be not be sold or available in the United States. But, it's okay - we are making ours from scratch.
Garam Masala Savory Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 5 garlic cloves crushed
- ½ cup red onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional for heat
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt adjust for taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper adjust for taste, optional
- 1 cup oat bran
- ½ cup corn
- ½ cup peas
- 2.5 cups water
Instructions
- Set a small pot over medium-high heat. Add butter and once melted, add the cumin seeds. Cook for one minute.
- Next, add and sauté crushed garlic, onion, and ginger for one minute.
- Pour in and combine the spices (garam masala, turmeric, chili pepper, salt, and black pepper).
- Add the oat bran, corn, and peas. Combine all of the ingredients and add water. Lower to medium-low to bring oats to a simmer.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the oatmeal, is thick and creamy. Serve. Add more salt to taste (optional).
Notes
- Oat bran can be found alongside regular, old-fashioned oats. However, because oat bran isn’t as popular, it is sometimes not available at grocery stores. I typically purchase my oat bran in bulk from Amazon. I use either Bob Red Mill’s or Quaker.
- If you prefer to use other frozen vegetables, that’s fine. Be to sure to cook them all the way through.
- For a creamier texture, add more liquid/water/milk For thicker oatmeal, add less liquid or cook for a bit longer.
Nutrition
Did you try out this Indian-Style Savory Oatmeal recipe?
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