Carrot Oats Dosa is a wholesome twist on the classic South Indian crepes! Made with fiber-rich oats, protein-packed lentils and cottage cheese, brown rice, spices, and carrots, this instant dosa needs no fermentation and comes together quickly-perfect for busy mornings. Naturally gluten-free and easily made vegan, this healthy oats dosa is a great way to sneak in veggies while enjoying a delicious and filling breakfast or snack.
Jump to:
What is Oats Dosa
Dosa is a popular South Indian crepe that has earned love across India and beyond. Traditionally, it's made using a fermented batter of rice and lentils, which gives it that signature tang and crisp texture. However, while authentic dosa is incredibly delicious, it requires soaking, grinding, and fermenting overnight - a process that can be time-consuming for busy mornings.
Enter the Instant Oats Dosa - a quicker, healthier, and modern twist on the classic recipe! 🌾✨ Made without fermentation, this dosa comes together in minutes using simple pantry staples like oats, lentils, rice, carrots, and cottage cheese. The result is a light, crisp-edged crepe that's soft at the center, slightly nutty in flavor, and full of wholesome goodness.
Healthy Oats Carrot Dosa
What makes this oats dosa recipe stand out is its nutritional balance - it's high in protein, fiber, and complex carbs, making it an ideal choice for a healthy Indian breakfast or a light snack. Oats are known to promote heart health, support digestion, and keep you fuller for longer, while carrots add a mild sweetness, color, and an extra dose of vitamins.
The addition of low-fat cottage cheese gives this dosa a protein boost, making it both satisfying and energizing. 💪 If you're new to cooking with oats, this is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to include them in your everyday meals.
This instant oats dosa requires no fermentation - just soak, blend, and cook! It's also gluten-free, vegetarian, and easily vegan-adaptable. For more savory Indian oats recipes, try Oats Upma or Oats Idli - both are quick, healthy, and perfect for meal prep!
If you love dosa, there are plenty of delicious dosa variations you can explore on the blog - each one offering a fun twist on the traditional South Indian crepe! From classic to creative, these recipes are perfect for adding variety to your healthy Indian breakfast or snack rotation.
Some popular ones include - Potato Dosa, Quinoa Dosa, Wheat Flour Dosa, Buckwheat Crepes, Onion Rava Dosa, Adai, Pesarattu, and the classic Masala Dosa. Each recipe brings its own unique texture and flavor while staying true to the essence of this beloved Indian dish. 🌾
If you're looking for something slightly different yet equally wholesome, you'll also enjoy dosa-style recipes like Scallion Pancakes, Moong Dal Chilla, and Tomato Omelet - all of which are nutritious, vegetarian, and perfect for busy mornings. They're light, wholesome, and pair beautifully with Indian chutneys or sambar.
These creative dosa recipes are a great way to include whole grains, lentils, and vegetables in your meals - and they fit beautifully into a gluten-free, vegan, or clean eating lifestyle.
Why make this
- ⌛ Instant and Easy to Make - This Instant Oats Dosa requires no soaking, no grinding, and absolutely no fermentation!
- 🥄 Minimal Effort, and Maximum Flavor - Made with everyday pantry staples, this dosa comes together in minutes while still delivering that classic South Indian flavor and texture.
- 🌱 Healthy, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free - This oats dosa recipe is naturally gluten-free, fiber-rich, and protein-packed. It's perfect for a balanced Indian breakfast, light lunch, or vegan-friendly meal.
- 🥕 Nutritious and Kid-Friendly - A delicious way to include oats, carrots, and cottage cheese in your family's diet! These ingredients not only add nutrients and color but also keep the dosa soft inside and crisp around the edges. Great for kids and adults alike.
- 🍽️ Perfect Anytime Meal - Serve this savory oats dosa for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or an evening snack.
- ✨ Meal-Prep Friendly - The batter stores well in the refrigerator, so you can make fresh dosas whenever you like - a must-have addition to your weekly meal rotation or healthy breakfast planning.
🧾 Ingredients Needed
🍚 Rice - Use any variety of rice you have on hand. I like using brown rice for its added fiber and nutty flavor, but white rice works just as well. It helps give the dosa its structure and that classic crepe-like crispiness. Quinoa can also be used instead of rice.
🌾 Oats - The star ingredient! Use old-fashioned oats or rolled oats for the perfect texture. Avoid instant oats, as they tend to make the batter too mushy. Oats not only make this dosa gluten-free but also add heart-healthy fiber and a mild, nutty taste.
🥕 Carrots - Finely chopped or grated organic carrots add natural sweetness, color, and nutrition. Choose ones that are fresh and not overly sweet for the best balance of flavor. They also make the dosa vibrant and kid-friendly!
💪 Lentils (Dal) - A mix of urad dal and masoor dal (red lentils) adds body, texture, and protein to the batter. These lentils help the dosa cook evenly and turn beautifully golden on the tawa.
🧀 Cottage Cheese - A unique yet brilliant addition! Low-fat cottage cheese makes this dosa protein-rich and keeps it soft on the inside. It blends in seamlessly without altering the taste.
🌶️ Asafoetida, Ginger and Dried Red Chilies - These aromatics bring a wonderful depth of flavor and gentle spice. You can use fresh ginger or ginger paste, and swap dried red chilies for green chilies if you prefer a spicier kick.
🧈 Oil or Ghee - To get those crispy edges and golden color, cook your dosa with ghee, vegan ghee, or neutral oil.
Use a cast iron or non-stick dosa tawa for even cooking.
How To Make It 🔪
- Wash, peel and chop the carrots into smaller pieces.
- In a bowl, soak the brown rice, rolled oats, masoor dal, and urad dal for 30 minutes. (If your blender is less powerful, keeping them separate helps ensure even grinding.)
- Drain the soaked rice, oats, and lentils well.
- Transfer them into the blender jar for the batter.
- Into the blender add dried red chilies, fresh ginger, salt and gluten-free asafoetida (hing). These heat-friendly spices bring the savory depth typical of a dosa batter.
- Add low-fat cottage cheese (or a vegan alternative if you prefer) to boost the protein content and richness without altering the taste.
- Next add the chopped carrots into the blender. For a more intense orange hue, you could also finely grate them instead of chopping.
- Blitz the mixture, gradually adding ½ to ¾ cup water (depending on quantity) as needed for a smooth, lump-free batter. Don't pour all the water at once-add a little at a time so you hit that ideal consistency.
- The batter should resemble a pancake batter: not too thick, not too thin. A batter that's too thick will yield heavy dosas; too thin may tear when cooking. This is critical in instant oats dosa recipes. Because this is an instant oats-carrot dosa, skip the overnight fermenting step entirely. This makes it perfect for busy mornings or last-minute snacks.
- Pre-heat the dosa pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, lightly grease it with vegan ghee or oil. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread it like a pancake or traditional dosa, depending on desired thickness. Cook on medium flame until the edges begin to lift. Then increase the heat slightly to crisp up the bottom. Apply a little ghee around the edges and on the top. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown and crispy.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Make as many dosas as you like and enjoy them hot off the tawa - that's when they taste their best! These savory Indian crepes are light, crispy on the edges, and soft in the center, making them a satisfying choice for any time of day.
Serve this Carrot Oats Dosa with classic South Indian accompaniments like Coconut Chutney, Tomato Chutney, Andhra Chutney, or a comforting bowl of Sambar. For a traditional touch, add a side of Molagapudi (Gunpowder Chutney) - the combination is simply irresistible. You can also serve it as wraps and stuff it with stir fried veggies or paneer bhurji.
If you want to make it more hearty and meal-worthy, try stuffing the dosa with a spiced potato masala similar to what's used in Masala Dosa. The mildly spiced filling pairs beautifully with the slightly nutty flavor of oats and sweetness from carrots.
This healthy oats dosa recipe is versatile - enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even a quick savory snack. It also packs beautifully in lunchboxes, making it a great option for both kids and adults. It's a lovely dish to include on your festive brunch table, spring menu, or even an Easter spread - light, colorful, and nourishing! 🌸
💭 Priya's Recipe Tips
You can also finely grate the carrots and fold them directly into the oats dosa batter instead of blending, though this may slightly lighten the dosa's vibrant orange color. Making oats dosa takes a bit of practice, so start with small dosas and cook on low to medium heat. Adjust the batter consistency as needed - add water if it's too thick, or sprinkle in rice flour gradually if it's too thin.
FAQs 📖
Don't limit yourself to just dosas - this versatile oats dosa batter can be used in so many fun and delicious ways!
👉 Mini Oats Dosas (Coin Dosas) - Use a mini pancake pan or appam pan to make bite-sized dosas that are perfect for kids or as party appetizers. They turn out crisp, golden, and irresistibly snackable!
👉 Oats Dosa Waffles (similar to Dosa Waffles)- Pour the batter into your waffle maker to create crispy and savory Indian-style waffles. They make a wholesome high-protein breakfast or brunch option that's easy to customize with toppings like chutneys or yogurt dips.
👉 Vegetable Oats Uttapam - For a heartier meal, make oats uttapam by spreading the batter slightly thick and topping it with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, or carrots. Cook it on both sides until golden and serve with chutney or sambar.
💡 Bonus Tip: Leftover oats dosa batter also works beautifully as a base for savory pancakes or crepes. Add stir fried veggies, greens like spinach, methi (fenugreek), or grated beetroot for extra nutrition and color.
Whether you're making crispy dosas, fluffy uttapams, or protein-packed waffles, this oats dosa batter recipe is a true meal-prep hero - perfect for quick, healthy, and satisfying vegetarian meals any time of the day!
If you love your oats dosa perfectly thin and crispy, here are a few tried-and-tested tips to get that irresistible golden crunch every time:
🥣 Add Rice Flour for Crispiness - Mix in 2-3 tablespoons of rice flour and semolina into the oats dosa batter. This not only helps the dosa turn crisp but also gives it that classic restaurant-style texture.
🔥 Cook on a Hot Tawa - Always pour the batter on a well-heated cast-iron tawa or non-stick dosa tawa. The surface should be hot enough that the batter sizzles as soon as you pour it. This helps achieve those signature lacy, crispy edges.
🧈 Use Ghee or Oil Generously - Drizzle a few drops of ghee (or oil) around the edges as it cooks. This enhances flavor and makes the dosa crispier.
⏱️ Serve Immediately - Carrot Oats Dosa tastes best when served straight off the tawa! If left out too long, it tends to soften.
💡 Pro Tip: To make restaurant-style oats dosa, ensure your batter is slightly runny - almost like rava dosa consistency. Pour it in a circular motion from the edges toward the center to create thin, lacy dosas with crispy edges.
One of the best things about Carrot Oats Dosa is how versatile it is! You can easily customize it to suit your taste or dietary preferences while keeping it wholesome and flavorful. Here are some ideas to help you switch things up:
💪 Boost the Protein:
Replace cottage cheese with grated paneer, Greek yogurt, or regular yogurt for extra protein and creaminess.
You can even sprinkle in flax seeds, chia seeds, or hemp hearts for a natural protein and omega-3 boost.
🌿 Add More Veggies:
Swap carrots with spinach, beets, zucchini, or butternut squash to create colorful variations of oats dosa.
Toss in leafy greens like kale or methi (fenugreek leaves) for added nutrition and flavor.
For a simpler version, skip the veggies altogether and enjoy a classic plain oats dosa that pairs perfectly with any chutney or sambar.
🥥 Enhance Flavor and Texture:
Add ¼ cup grated coconut to the batter for a subtle nutty flavor and softer texture.
Mix in a pinch of cumin powder, crushed black pepper, or green chilies to elevate the aroma and spice level.
💡 Add nut butter: Blend in a few soaked cashews or a spoonful of nut butter (like almond or cashew butter) for extra richness and to boost the dosa's protein content naturally.
💡 Pro Tip: Try combining oats and millet flour for an even more nutrient-dense twist - it gives the dosa a lovely earthy taste while keeping it light and healthy.
Making a vegan oats dosa is simple and requires just a few easy swaps - no compromise on taste or texture!
🥣 Dairy-Free Substitutes:
Replace cottage cheese with vegan yogurt or silken tofu. Both blend smoothly into the batter and add a nice creaminess without altering the taste.
You can also use almond yogurt or soy yogurt for a subtle tang that mimics traditional dosa batter.
🧈 Use Vegan Ghee or Oil:
When cooking the dosa on a hot tawa, use vegan ghee, avocado oil, or cold-pressed coconut oil for that golden, crispy finish. These healthy fats also enhance the dosa's aroma.
🌾 Keep It Naturally Gluten-Free:
Since oats and lentils are naturally gluten-free, this dosa fits perfectly into a vegan and gluten-free diet. Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you're sensitive to gluten.
Making Carrot Oats Dosa ahead of time is easy, which makes it perfect for meal prep and busy mornings. Here's how to store your oats dosa batter so it stays fresh, soft, and ready to cook:
❄️ Refrigerator Storage:
Transfer the batter into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
When ready to use, take it out 30 minutes beforehand to bring it to room temperature - this ensures the dosas cook evenly and remain soft inside.
🧊 Freezer Storage:
The batter freezes well for up to 2 months.
To use, thaw it in the fridge overnight and give it a quick stir before making instant oats dosas.
⏱️ Quick Tips for Best Results:
Always stir the batter gently before pouring onto the tawa to maintain the right consistency.
This make-ahead oats dosa batter is ideal for breakfast, brunch, lunchboxes, or a quick savory snack.
💡 Pro Tip: If your batter thickens after refrigeration, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to bring it back to a smooth, pourable consistency, similar to pancake batter.
Storing your Carrot Oats Dosa batter correctly makes it effortless to enjoy healthy, protein-rich, and gluten-free dosas any time of the day! Leftover dosas can be reheated easily in a microwave.
More South Indian Recipes
⭐️ Subscribe to the Cookilicious Newsletter and receive new recipes straight to your inbox! You'll receive my FREE Vegan Beginner's guide as a gift. Ready to elevate your cooking game? Purchase my Cookbook - The Essential Vegan Indian Cookbook today!
Recipe 📖
Easy Instant Oats Dosa with Carrot - No Fermentation Needed!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 carrots
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup masoor dal (red lentils)
- ½ cup urad dal
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
- 4-5 dried red chilies
- 1 inch ginger
- 8 oz low-fat cottage cheese
- Salt
- ghee
Instructions
- Wash, peel and chop the carrots into smaller pieces.
- In a bowl, soak the brown rice, rolled oats, masoor dal, and urad dal for 30 minutes. (If your blender is less powerful, keeping them separate helps ensure even grinding.)
- Drain the soaked rice, oats, and lentils well.
- Transfer them into the blender jar for the batter.
- Into the blender add dried red chilies, fresh ginger, salt and gluten-free asafoetida (hing). These heat-friendly spices bring the savory depth typical of a dosa batter.
- Add low-fat cottage cheese (or a vegan alternative if you prefer) to boost the protein content and richness without altering the taste.
- Next add the chopped carrots into the blender. For a more intense orange hue, you could also finely grate them instead of chopping.
- Blitz the mixture, gradually adding ½ to ¾ cup water (depending on quantity) as needed for a smooth, lump-free batter. Don't pour all the water at once-add a little at a time so you hit that ideal consistency.
- The batter should resemble a pancake batter: not too thick, not too thin. A batter that's too thick will yield heavy dosas; too thin may tear when cooking. This is critical in instant oats dosa recipes. Because this is an instant oats-carrot dosa, skip the overnight fermenting step entirely. This makes it perfect for busy mornings or last-minute snacks.
- Pre-heat the dosa pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, lightly grease it with vegan ghee or oil. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread it like a pancake or traditional dosa, depending on desired thickness. Cook on medium flame until the edges begin to lift. Then increase the heat slightly to crisp up the bottom. Apply a little ghee around the edges and on the top. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown and crispy. Make as many dosas as you like and enjoy them hot off the tawa and serve with chutney and sambar.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this recipe to you, so that you can look at it later!
Notes
Nutrition
Tara says
I love the color from the carrots! They look amazing. Definitely perfect for breakfast with how easily they come together. Yum!
Priya says
Yes, they are super simple to make. Thank you.