From spicy and savory to sweet and mild, there’s a recipe for everyone on this list! Only about a quarter of India’s population are vegetarians, but you’ll find that many of these recipes are meat-free. So while only about 1% of the country are strict vegans, these recipes are ideal for anyone on the hunt for dairy and meat-free meals for breakfast.
Easy Indian Breakfast Recipes
From beverages to a full course meal, wake up to the flavors of India to start your day off right. All of these dishes work well for brunch, too! What are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and find your new favorite breakfast recipe.
1. Oats Idli
These fragrant little pastries resemble a savory pancake. Made with oat flour, they are gluten-free and can satisfy every guest at your table! Chock full of traditional spices and hearty vegetables, oats idli is the healthy breakfast you have been waiting for. These delicious treats are fully customizable to your palate preferences. They can be made with a variety of vegetables and the spices can be added or reduced to taste. Turn on your griddle and fry up a plate of Idli this weekend for a savory start to your morning.
2. Oats Upma
Similar to oatmeal or porridge, these grain bowls are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. From smoothie bowls to burrito bowls, bowl culture is thriving, and this dish no exception. Pile your oats high with antioxidants and include plenty of steamed carrots, or go for a protein boost and mix in chickpeas. Either way, you’ll have a bowl of upma that is packed with long-lasting energy. The seasonings make this dish a warm and fragrant experience.
3. Aloo Paratha
These stuffed flatbreads need a lot of flavors, but very little time. Inspired by dinner leftovers, the flatbreads swaddle well-seasoned mashed potatoes for a warm breakfast on days you hit snooze one too many times. The flatbread only requires three ingredients that you are sure to have on hand. Whip up the batter, and the dish practically makes itself! The filling is seasoned with garam masala, which is a familiar taste to start your day. These pockets are made for on-the-go eating. Take one with you on your morning commute!
4. Dosa
For breakfast aficionados who plan, this recipe is a winner! Allow rice flour and water to ferment overnight to make a dosa bread that is reminiscent of a savory crepe. These elegant nibbles plate beautifully and are as much a work of art as a delicious meal. Change up your flavor experience by topping your dosa with a variety of chutneys. The spiced chutneys compliment the earthy soured flavor of the fermented dosa perfectly. This may be your new morning go-to!
5. Sali Par Eedu
Save this one for the days you will need a lot of energy! Fried potatoes and tomato are topped with a sunny side up egg for a carb/protein combo that can conquer any day! This breakfast skillet will have you feeling full for a long time. You can’t forget the spices! Fresh parsley complements the garden tomatoes beautifully for a home-cooked meal that was just picked yesterday. Finish this dish with salt and pepper then tuck for a breakfast of champions!
6. Appam
Another vegan and gluten-free option, sturdy appam is the perfect dish for everyone on your brunch list. These fried cakes are very similar to the before-mentioned dosa, but the yeast in the recipes yields a much fluffier final product. These treats are not meant to be eaten plain but are instead vehicles for many tasty soups and spreads. Pair with your favorite stew or curry for a nutritious morning meal. The coconut in the batter offers sweetness to the appam, which contrasts beautifully with the rich dips.
7. Namkeen Seviyaan
Noodles for breakfast? Yes, please! This breakfast stir-fry is riddled with noodles and sauteed vegetables in a delectable peanut sauce. Ginger and garlic elevate the flavor profile of this meal, while roasted peanuts offer a delightful crunch. There is nothing more satisfying than being full of pasta, and vermicelli noodles create the base of this dish. These thin rice noodles are the perfect comfort food on a cool morning. They will keep you full and warm for the rest of the day!
8. Indian Spiced Omelettes
Every culture has its way of making an egg omelet, and this is India’s! What is unique about this omelet recipe is the number of fresh herbs that season the eggs. Fresh cilantro and mint are chopped up within the dish in place of vegetables. Garlic, turmeric, ginger root, and onion also lend their flavors to this delectable egg medley. One bite and you will never be happy with a flavorless omelet again!
9. Poha
This grain bowl is shaped on a bed of rice topped with onion or potato (or both!). There are so many combinations. Try them all and decide for yourself which is best. No bowl of poha is complete without red kidney beans and fresh bay leaves. The kidney beans bring the protein to keep you full, and the bay leaves provide enough flavor to keep you satisfied. Top your poha with a variety of toppings to change the flavors, and make your bowl more nutritious. Carrots, peas, coconut– the possibilities are endless!
10. Aloo Puri
This potato curry (aloo) is served with a puffed bread (puri) for a match made in heaven! The potato is well seasoned with a myriad of spices, then soaked in a savory tomato sauce. The flavors are simultaneously tangy and spicy. Could there be anything better than homemade bread? Break into a warm puff of puri and watch the fresh steam rise out of its hollow center. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, fill the center with the spicy aloo curry and settle in for a hearty breakfast.
11. Poori Bhaji
Poori bhaji is a southern Indian version of the aloo puri mentioned above. This recipe features the same puffed bread bites and curry sauce, but with different spices! From what I can tell, this dipping sauce is thicker, while the aloo sauce is more of a gravy. Poori Bhaji also avoids using onions or garlic in the recipe. Either way, with fresh bread and savory curry, how could you go wrong?
12. Bread Upma
This is a savory spread made for pieces of bread that can be eaten at any time, but especially for the most important meal of the day! With fresh herbs like coriander and fragrant mustard seeds, this bread upma recipe is sure to be delicious! Tomatoes make the base of this dish while green chiles bring the heat. Couple this with some onion and garlic, and you’ll have the ultimate savory spread. Just when you thought bread with butter couldn’t get any better, bread upma proves you wrong!
13. Rava Idli
Recipes like these make healthy eating look easy! Fresh vegetables are mixed with herbs and spices, then cooked into adorable little cakes. Aromatic seasonings such as mustard seed and cumin season the grated carrot and ginger root. The cakes are held together with creamy yogurt and topped with an additional fresh cilantro leaf. It’s a delicious meal that is just as appetizing as it is delicious!
14. Vada
Though these tasty fritters are shaped liked donuts, do not be fooled! They are a savory snack made of vegetables! What a great way to sneak some extra carrots into your day. Vada is seasoned with the traditional flavors of curry, ginger, and cilantro. The pastries are then deep-fried to a golden brown. If you can wait until they are cooled, dip them in your favorite curry or sambar sauce for a meal that may just be the best part of your day!
15. Rava Pongal
You’ll jump out of bed ready for the day when you know you have this dish waiting for you. This deliciously seasoned dal dish is a warm way to wake up. Crunchy cashews and sweet green peas are mixed into every bite for a harmonious blend of textures to satisfy your hunger pangs. Pair a hearty scoop with a soothing cup of ginger tea for the perfect cozy morning meal.
16. Oats Uttapam
Do you have yogurt that’s a little past its expiration date? Put it to good use in this uttapam recipe! By combining yogurt with oat flour, you’ll make a dense pan-fried cake that can be topped with your favorite chutney or sambar. Don’t forget the mix-ins! Top each uttapam with chopped vegetables to round out this delicious meal. From green chiles and tomatoes to peppers and onions, the sky is the limit with this dish.
17. East Indian Scrambled Eggs
What makes this dish different from regular scrambled eggs? Spices! Never settle for regular (read: boring) scrambled eggs again after trying this delectable version. Stuffed with veggies and spiced to perfection, these East Indian scrambled eggs are an experience you don’t want to miss out on! These eggs are the perfect way to use up any vegetables you have leftover from other meals. Chop any remaining portions and toss them into the pan with the eggs. The more the merrier on this plate.
18. Oats Kheer
Finally, a sweet breakfast option! Similar to rice pudding or overnight oats, rolled oats are soaked in ghee and milk until they are softened. Stir in your favorite dried fruits to add sweetness and texture. Served hot or cold, this kheer is as much a treat as it is a meal! With its buttery cream and filling oats, this is the breakfast you have been dreaming of. Fix a bowl today to see what you have been missing out on.
19. Oats Dhokla
This steamed bread is topped with veggie tempering before being sliced into squares and served. I am amazed at how many different dishes can be made from so many similar ingredients! The recipe says dhokla can be served cold, but I don’t know if they will get the chance to! Between the fresh green chiles and the red chile powder, these squares sure have some zing!
20. Pakwan
Crisp pakwan is the perfect vehicle for a myriad of curries and chutneys. This pakwan is seasoned with carom seeds and cumin for a delightful crunch that packs a powerful punch! Deep-fried and round, beautiful pakwan is a labor of love. Make a double batch and pack some for lunch as well. They are the perfect travel food for on-the-go meals. That is, assuming there are still some left at lunchtime!
21. Oats Cheela
Oats and mixed vegetables come together for this quick breakfast! Quickly mix up a thick batter and pour it into a pan. You’ll have a healthy meal ready in minutes! Quick doesn’t mean lacking in flavor, though. These breakfast cheelas are still well seasoned and incredibly satisfying. Even the latest sleeper can enjoy a fragrant and delicious oat cheela in the morning. Mix and match the vegetables to find your favorite combination. With so many possibilities, the flavors are endless!
22. Idli Fry
If you have been trying all these recipes, you are going to need a leftovers plan. If you find yourself swimming in leftover dahl, this is the recipe for you! Transform your refrigerated dahl into idli fry. These oval-shaped chips are the perfect companion to any dips you have on hand and an easy way to start your morning. Their unique shape is ideal for dipping, so make sure you have plenty!
23. Thepla
This flatbread is a must-try for any Indian food lover. The moist dough is well seasoned with garlic, onion, and fenugreek leaves. Its spices give the final dish a beautiful color and deep flavor profile. Thepla is made to wrap around tea or curd to become a delicious breakfast option. Click on a star to rate it!
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