Instant Pot Masala Oats Upma

What Is Upma

Upma is a popular South Indian savory breakfast recipe, traditionally made with semolina (rava), assorted vegetables, and mild spices. With its soft, porridge-like texture and quick cooking time, it’s a comfort food staple in many Indian homes and a favorite among easy Indian breakfast recipes.

Over the years, this classic upma recipe has evolved with regional variations and modern adaptations. At home, we love experimenting with versions like Tomato Upma, which brings bold, tangy flavors. To make it more wholesome and suit modern lifestyles, rava is often replaced with healthy grains such as rolled oats, broken wheat (dalia), millets, quinoa, or even teff—making it perfect for those looking for healthy Indian breakfast ideas.

What Is Masala Oats Upma

Spicy Oats Upma with veggies is a nutritious, savory Indian breakfast made by replacing traditional rava (semolina) with old-fashioned rolled oats. This wholesome twist on the classic South Indian upma recipe is high in fiber, naturally vegan, gluten-free, and ideal for anyone following a balanced, plant-based diet. Think of it as the Indian alternative to oatmeal, but with bold, savory flavors.

While oats are naturally bland, they act as a blank canvas. When cooked with aromatic Indian spices, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tempering, they transform into a hearty and satisfying meal. I often use oats in other Indian dishes too—like substituting them for rice in my Curd Rice or Chivda recipe.

This Vegetable Oats Upma recipe is light yet filling, making it perfect for healthy meal prep, a wholesome breakfast, or even a light lunch or dinner. You can call it Oats Khichdi because it too has a soft texture similar to Masala Khichdi, or Ven Pongal, but it’s made without milk, keeping it 100% dairy-free.

Vegetable Oats Upma In The Instant Pot

If you typically enjoy oatmeal, teff porridge, or masala oats, you'll love this savory Indian oats breakfast recipe made in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooker simplifies the process—no constant stirring needed. Just sauté, cook, and your savory Indian-style Oats Upma is ready in under 20 minutes!

This vegan Instant Pot Oats Upma is packed with nutrient-dense vegetables, warming spices, and topped with a tempering of mustard seeds, urad dal, cashews, and curry leaves for added crunch and flavor. This Namkeen (savory) Oats recipe is an excellent choice for busy mornings, weekday meal plans, or as a comforting bowl when you're craving something warm and homemade.

Whether you’re a long-time upma fan or exploring tasty Indian oats recipes for the first time, this one-pot vegan savory oatmeal porridge recipe is a must-try. It’s a delicious, hands-free way to enjoy breakfast oats—and it just might become your new favorite breakfast!

1. Start by soaking the chana dal in water for about 10 minutes. This step helps soften the lentils, making them easier to cook and bite into. While the dal is soaking, chop all the vegetables you'll be using for the upma.
2. Next, turn on the Instant Pot and set it to Sauté mode. Once hot, add vegan ghee (or oil) to the pot. When the ghee melts, add mustard seeds and allow them to crackle. Then add the cumin seeds, gluten-free asafoetida (hing), urad dal, and the drained chana dal. Sauté for 10–15 seconds, or until the lentils start turning golden and aromatic.
3. Now, stir in the chopped ginger, cashews, fresh curry leaves, and minced green chillies. Let them sauté for a few seconds to release their flavors.
4. Add the chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent. If needed, add a few splashes of water to prevent the onions or lentils from sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot.

5. Add the chopped tomatoes to the sautéed onions and cook for about 30 seconds, just until they soften slightly.
6. Next, add the chopped vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, etc.), along with turmeric powder and red chili powder. Sauté for 1–2 minutes, allowing the veggies to begin cooking and the spices to bloom. Chef tip - Add a teaspoon of Pav Bhaji Masala to give this upma with oats a whole new flavor.
7. Mix everything well, then add salt, oats, and water or vegetable broth. There's no need to soak the oats beforehand—they will cook perfectly in the Instant Pot.
8. Turn off Sauté mode, close the lid, and press the Manual or Pressure Cook button. Set it to High Pressure for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid—your oatmeal upma may look slightly watery at first, but give it a few minutes to rest, and it will thicken beautifully to the perfect consistency.

Garnish your oats and vegetable upma with freshly chopped cilantro and serve it hot with your favorite Indian accompaniments like coconut chutney, cilantro chutney, sambar, pickle, or even a side of ketchup, or chili crisp for a modern twist.

To elevate the flavors, drizzle lemon juice, top with grated fresh coconut, hemp hearts, or a generous sprinkle of sev for that added crunch. You can also mix in a bit of plant-based yogurt or raita for a cooling contrast, or serve some avocado slices on the side for a wholesome touch.

This savory oatmeal is comforting, nourishing, and perfect for any time of the day, though it tastes best as a hearty Indian breakfast or evening snack paired with Carrot Orange Juice, Filter Coffee, or a warm cup of Masala Chai.

If you're enjoying this Instant Pot Oats Upma for lunch or dinner, round out your meal with a simple salad and cool off with some Buttermilk Popsicles for dessert.

Once you try this homemade version, you won’t feel the need to buy store-bought Masala Oats again!

Instead of cashews, you can add peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds. Mix 2 tablespoons of rava with oats if you want. Always deglaze the bottom of the pot with a splash of water after sautéing onions to avoid the "burn" warning. Add a touch of amchur (dry mango powder), pav bhaji masala, or a dash of garam masala if you like a tangy or spiced flavor profile. Even a pinch of chaat masala right before serving adds a zing.

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