Oats Poha recipe is a simple and easy dish made with heart healthy oats, colorful veggies, and aromatic spices. It's a delicious and healthy twist on a classic Indian dish, poha recipe!

Breakfast is an important meal of the day! A hearty, healthy breakfast, sets up your metabolism and you're more likely to make healthier choices throughout the day!
My family loves oats. We all enjoy oats, in any form. Sweet or savory, hot or cold, in the smoothies or desserts, or like this Oat Honey bread I often make at home.
Oats poha is my hubby's all-time favorite breakfast. He can eat it any time of the day. This dish is inspired by the Indian dish aloo poha.
I grew up devouring aloo poha and Dalia Khichdi (Savory Cracked Wheat Porridge). As a kid, I could eat aloo poha any time of the day. Aloo poha is made with flattened rice, potatoes, onions, and some Indian spices.
This oats poha is my healthier take on the aloo poha. I substituted old-fashioned oats for flattened rice and green peas for potatoes. We enjoy oats poha for breakfast, as a quick evening snack, or even as a side dish.
Do give this recipe a try, I am sure you are gonna love it. It's a quick, hearty, delicious, one-pot meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day!
Some of the other recipes I cook with oats are Oats Khichdi, Masala Oats, Oats Idli, Oats Aloo Tikki, Oats Dhokla, and Oats Chilla. I use oats in baking, for binding koftas, Tikki, kebabs, and flatbreads.
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About Oats Poha
Oats, is a good source of fiber and various essential nutrients. See nutrition benefits at NIH.gov. It has gained popularity as a wholesome breakfast choice.
In oats poha, traditional flattened rice is replaced with rolled oats, resulting in a dish that provides a balanced blend of taste, texture, and nutritional value.
This innovative take on poha not only maintains the comforting flavors of the original recipe but also offers the additional benefits of oats, making it a smart choice for those seeking a nutritious start to their day.
Oats poha is versatile and can be tailored to suit individual preferences. From the vibrant medley of vegetables to the subtle kick of green chilies and fragrant curry leaves, each ingredient contributes to a its flavor profile.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a refreshing twist, while garnishes like fresh coriander leaves and grated coconut enhance its visual appeal.
Oats poha can be enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or a satisfying snack.
Ingredients For Oats Poha Recipe
Here's a description of the ingredients commonly used in oats poha:
- rolled oats
- mixed vegetables - peas, carrots, potatoes, beans, bell peppers or any veggies of your choice
- onion - red or yellow
- green chilies - I used Thai chili, adjust to taste
- curry leaves
- mustard seeds, cumin seeds - for the seasoning
- turmeric powder
- lemon juice - for refreshing flavor
- fresh coriander leaves - for garnish
- raw peanuts (optional)
How To Make Oats Poha
Here's how to make healthy and nutritious Oats Poha recipe:
- Add the oats to a sieve. Rinse them under running water for a few minutes or the water runs clear. Place the sieve in a bowl, and let the water drain completely, around 10 minutes.
- In a Kadai or a skillet, heat oil. Add raw peanuts or nuts of choice. Fry the peanuts for a few minutes, or light golden brown. Remove the peanuts and set them aside.
- Next, add cumin seeds. Let the seeds crackle. Add hing, chopped onion, curry leaves, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
- Now add tomatoes, green chili, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well. Cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened.
- Add green peas, oats, and salt to taste. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water and mix well. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the oats are softened.
- Turn OFF the heat. Give a couple of minutes of resting time. Serve warm, garnish with peanuts, freshly chopped cilantro, and some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Enjoy healthy oats poha with a cup of chai!
Pic Shown: Step-by-step how to make oats poha
Storage
Oats poha stays good for up to a week in the refrigerator. Store it in an air-tight container. Add a splash of water, reheat and enjoy a warm bowl of goodness.
It's a perfect make-ahead breakfast or a healthy snack. Enjoy warm poha with a cup of chai!
Tips for Indian recipe with Oats
- Use a sieve to wash the oats. I run the sieve under running water and give the oats a thorough rinse. Rinse the oats well till the water runs clear. Place the sieve in a bowl, and allow extra water to drain for around 10 minutes. This 10 minutes helps soften the oats.
- Some like to soak the oats in the water, I do not prefer soaking the oats. The oats turn out mushy and something I don't personally enjoy eating. If you like oats to be on a very soft side or slightly mushy, feel free to soak the oats. Soak the oats in water for no more than 5 minutes. Drain the water and use the oats in the recipe.
- You can add any veggies of your choice. If adding potatoes, make sure to cook the potatoes before adding oats. Since potatoes take longer to cook than oats, add them along with the onions.
- Curry leaves give a pleasant flavor and aroma to the poha. You can skip it if you don't like it or can't find it.
- I used Thai green chili, as we like oats poha spicy. You can use any milder chili, such as serrano, or entirely skip it.
- Peanuts add a nice crunch to the poha. Feel free to add nuts of your choice, or skip it to make it nut-free. I used raw nuts, and lightly fry them in the oil. You can use roasted peanuts in the recipe and skip this step.
- Lastly, don't forget to drizzle some freshly squeezed lemon juice. It adds a lot of flavor to this dish.

FAQ
Oats are whole grains that are processed by steaming and flattening, resulting in rolled oats commonly used in breakfast dishes. Poha, on the other hand, is made from flattened rice flakes and is a traditional Indian dish often prepared as a breakfast or snack option.
No, poha is not made of oats. Poha is a traditional Indian dish made from flattened rice flakes, while oats are a different type of whole grain that is processed into rolled oats for various culinary uses.
The calorie content of oats and poha can vary based on serving size and preparation methods. On average, 1 cup of cooked oats contains around 150-180 calories, while 1 cup of cooked poha typically contains about 150-170 calories.
Oats Upma is typically made with rolled oats, which are cooked and seasoned with ingredients like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, chopped vegetables, and spices. It's a variation of the traditional Upma dish, using oats as the primary grain for a healthier and more nutritious breakfast option.
Indian Breakfast Recipes
Oats Poha | Oats Poha Recipe
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR OATS POHA [SAVORY OATS HASH]
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats
- ¾ cup green peas or choice of veggies like carrots, corn, potato
- 1 medium red or yellow onion, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2-3 green chili, chopped; adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons raw peanuts (optional) or nuts of choice; For nut-free, omit nuts
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to taste
- 1-2 sprigs of curry leaves
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- pinch of asafetida
- salt to taste
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice, adjust to taste
- A handful of fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Prep for Oats Poha Recipe
- Add the oats to a sieve. Rinse them under running water for a few minutes or the water runs clear. Place the sieve in a bowl, and let the water drain completely, around 10 minutes.
Instructions for Oats Poha recipe
- In a Kadai or a skillet, heat oil. Add raw peanuts or nuts of choice. Fry the peanuts for a few minutes, or light golden brown. Remove the peanuts and set them aside.Note: For nut-free, skip this step.
- Next, add cumin seeds. Let the seeds crackle. Add hing, chopped onion, curry leaves, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
- Now add tomatoes, green chili, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Mix well. Cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened.
- Add green peas, oats, and salt to taste. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of water and mix well. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the oats are softened.
- Turn OFF the heat. Give a couple of minutes of resting time. Serve warm, garnish with peanuts, freshly chopped cilantro, and some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Enjoy healthy oats poha with a cup of chai!
Notes
- Tips For Delicious Oats Poha
- Frequently Asked Questions
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
KEYWORD
indian recipes using oats, oats poha, oats poha recipe
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