Spicy Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

Home › Recipes

By Anjali Shah on May 13, 2021 · Last Updated on July 1, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This incredible spicy oatmeal tastes almost exactly like Kheer, an Indian spiced pudding, but it’s filling, healthy and balanced – the perfect breakfast. This simple recipe is a fun way to mix up your mornings, and it’s ready in just 15 minutes!

Today I decided to spice up my breakfast with some traditional Indian flavors. And what’s the best breakfast base for almost any flavor combination?

Oatmeal.

That’s right – I added Indian spices to oatmeal and it tasted absolutely amazing. You may not think that spicy oatmeal tastes good, but trust me, it’s one of those super easy recipes that has plenty of flavor and will keep you full all the way until lunch!

Latest Recipe Video!

This really has become one of my favorite breakfast recipes — and because it’s super customizable, it makes a delicious breakfast for the whole family!

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Oatmeal Recipe…

Quick and Easy
Perfectly Spiced
Super Creamy
A healthy Indian breakfast recipe
Healthy and nutritious
Can be a savory or sweet breakfast (depending on your mood!)
Vegan-friendly
Gluten-free!

How to Make Spicy Oatmeal (Masala Oatmeal)

Recipe Ingredients and Notes

You should be able to easily find the ingredients for this savory oatmeal recipe at your local grocery store!

Rolled Oats: I used old-fashioned oats (or rolled oats) for this recipe. They are quick to make yet retain their shape and texture. You could also use steel cut oats or instant oats, but I like the ease of cooking rolled oats the best.

Ground Flax: Provides added omega-3 healthy fats and added fiber. Flax also gives this oatmeal a nutty flavor. You could also add chia seeds for some more protein.

Slivered Almonds: A good source of healthy fats, slivered almonds also add a nice crunchy texture.

Spices: I really amped up the Indian spices for this oatmeal recipe! I added saffron, ground cardamom, and nutmeg, that gives this recipe a warm flavor and aroma.

Agave Syrup: For a touch of natural sweetness, I like to add a drizzle of agave. You could also use dark brown sugar, honey, or coconut sugar.

1% Milk: In order to make these oats ultra creamy, add your favorite milk! You can opt for unsweetened almond, coconut milk, or soy milk to keep this recipe vegan.

Pinch of Salt: This helps bring out the natural sweetness in these spicy oats!

Optional Add-Ins: Fresh fruit, ground cinnamon, or you could go completely savory and go with cumin, coriander and turmeric!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1:Cook the oats with the water in the microwave for 2 minutes. Stir, and cook again in the microwave for 1-2 minutes more until all the water is absorbed and the oats have a very creamy texture, like a porridge consistency. Depending on your microwave, you might have to cook them for longer for them to become soft.

Step 2: Stir in the saffron, flax seed, and almonds. The heat of the creamy oats will help melt the saffron until it’s fully combined.

What Makes This Spicy Oatmeal Healthy?

Made with Natural Sweeteners: This oatmeal is sweet, creamy and dessert like without the addition of artificial sweeteners or sugars. Just a touch of agave is all you need. You can also substitute agave for honey, coconut sugar, or maple syrup if you prefer.
High in Dietary Fiber: Oats are a whole grain and an excellent source of fiber. This oatmeal has nearly 8 grams of fiber per serving!
A Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Oats are very high in vitamins such as B1 and B5 – and minerals, including folate, zinc and magnesium.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

If you have leftover oatmeal, transfer your oats to an airtight container and store in your refrigerator for 1-2 days. When ready to reheat, transfer to a microwave safe bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water as needed (the oats can become dry) cover with a paper towel, and reheat in the microwave.

What can I use if I don’t have saffron?

If you don’t have saffron, you can leave this spice out. An easy substitution for saffron is turmeric. Just add a pinch of turmeric to your oats.

What are spicy oats?

Spicy oats are a savory oat dish made with vegetables, and Indian spices. It is served as a side dish, or a main dish for dinner with a chutney, and raita.

How do I make this recipe super savory?

If you would prefer a more savory oat recipe, simply leave out the agave syrup. You can also add some additional savory spices such as cumin, coriander, or curry powder. Then a touch of salt and black pepper or red pepper flakes.

Top Tips For Indian Spicy Oatmeal

Use rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best texture.
Cooking the oats in the microwave is quick and easy, but it also gives this recipe a nice fluffy texture.
Prepare a few servings at one time to save you time making breakfast in the morning. Cooked oats will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I recommend adding the milk when you’re ready to eat.
Feel free to omit the sweeter spices to make this a bowl of completely savory oats. I recommend using cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and even a green chile if you want it to have a little heat!

More Oatmeal and Healthy Breakfast Recipes!

Vegan Baked Oatmeal
Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Peanut Butter
Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
Masala Oats
Tiramisu Overnight Oats
Matcha Overnight Oats
Vegan Breakfast Cookies
Peanut Butter Banana, Protein Packed Overnight Oats
Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas

If you have tried this Spicy Oatmeal recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/VXIlhh8M5AE

Print Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes

Spicy Oatmeal

This incredible spicy oatmeal tastes almost exactly like Kheer, an Indian spiced pudding, but it’s filling, healthy and balanced – the perfect breakfast.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 1 bowl of oatmeal

Calories: 304kcal

Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup rolled oats
▢ 1½ cups water
▢ 3 tsp ground flax seed
▢ 2-3 tsp slivered almonds
▢ 1 pinch saffron
▢ ⅛ tsp salt
▢ ⅛ tsp ground cardamom
▢ 1 pinch ground nutmeg
▢ 1 tsp coconut sugar or agave or honey
▢ ½-⅔ cup 1% organic milk the creamier you want the oatmeal, the more milk you should add

Instructions

▢
Cook the oats with the water in the microwave for 2 minutes. Stir, and cook again in the microwave for 1-2 minutes more until all the water is absorbed and the oats have a very creamy texture. Depending on your microwave, you might have to cook them for longer for them to become soft.
▢
Stir in the saffron, flax seed, and almonds. The heat of the oatmeal will help melt the saffron until it’s fully combined.
▢
Add the rest of the spices (salt, cardamom, nutmeg, stevia) and stir to combine.
▢
Stir in the milk until the oatmeal is the consistency you like.
▢
Heat the oatmeal again in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until it is hot and ready to eat.

Notes

Top Tips For Indian Spicy Oatmeal

Use rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best texture.
Cooking the oats in the microwave is quick and easy, but it also gives this recipe a nice fluffy texture.
Prepare a few servings at one time to save you time making breakfast in the morning. Cooked oats will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I recommend adding the milk when you’re ready to eat.
Feel free to omit the sweeter spices to make this a bowl of completely savory oats. I recommend using cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and even a green chile if you want it to have a little heat!

Nutrition Facts assume 2/3 cup milk and 3 tsp silvered almonds.

Nutrition