26 Indian Breakfast Recipes

People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but there don’t seem to be many breakfast foods out there.

People always seem to have cereal, toast, or on some special days, pancakes. But what else is there? 

We’re here to give breakfast a whole new lease of life by showing you some incredible Indian breakfast recipes (find more tasty Asian breakfasts right here).

Healthy, well-balanced, but very tasty, these breakfast meals will give you everything that you need to have a great day. 

In this article, you’ll find a collection of mouthwatering breakfast recipes that are commonplace in Indian homes.

Some of the dishes may be made ahead of time, some are ready straight away, and others involve the preparation of batter, which can be used to make a variety of breakfast things for the whole week.

Idiyappam, Appam, Bisi Bele Bath, Pongal, Poori, Upma, Chutney, Sambar, Vada, Dosa, Idli, and other dishes are common components of a traditional South Indian breakfast.

The majority of a North Indian breakfast will include items such as paratha and roti, dhokla, and khakhras, among other things.

There are several variants, such as Kande pohe, poha, thalipeeth, toast, omelets, undi, buns, paniyaram, and so on.

We will be providing you with a selection of the easiest and most well-liked recipes that you can use regularly.

These delicious Indian breakfast dishes will get your day off to a good start. On this list, you’ll find recipes ranging from sweet and mild to savory and hot, so there’s something for everyone!

In India, about two-thirds of the population adheres to a vegan diet, while the remainder of the population rarely consumes meat.

These 26 dishes might give you ideas for your morning meal if you are vegan, or even if you are just trying to reduce the number of animal products you eat.

You should start your day off well by waking up to the flavors of India, which can be found in anything from drinks to a full course dinner. All of these meals are perfect for serving brunch as well!

Keep reading to find your next favorite breakfast!

1. Oats Idli

These aromatic pastries are very similar to savory pancakes found in the USA. Gluten-free and made with oat flour, anyone can enjoy them! 

Oats idli is the healthy breakfast you’ve been waiting for, packed with traditional spices and hearty veggies.

These delicious pancakes can be customized to your tastes, as you can add whatever you want! 

They may be cooked using a variety of veggies, and the spices can be increased or removed according to taste.

For a tasty start to your morning, heat your griddle and prepare a platter of Idli.

2. Aloo Paratha

These packed flatbreads needsome flavorings, but can be made very quickly. 

A perfect use for any leftovers from dinner, the flatbreads envelop well-seasoned mashed potatoes for a cozy morning on days when you overslept.

The flatbread uses only three readily available ingredients. Simply prepare the batter, and the meal will be almost ready!

The stuffing of this recipe is seasoned with garam masala, a classic flavor for breakfast. These pockets are designed for on-the-go breakfasts. Bring one along for your morning commute!

3. Sali Par Eedu

If you need loads of energy to start your day, this is the breakfast for you. 

A sunny-side-up egg tops fried potatoes and tomato for a carbohydrate-protein combination that can tackle any day.

This breakfast skillet will leave you feeling satiated for hours.

Don’t forget to add some spices! Yesterday’s freshly harvested garden tomatoes pair well with parsley in a home-cooked dish.

Finish this meal with salt and pepper, then enjoy a champion’s breakfast!

4. Namkeen Seviyaan

Noodles for breakfast? Yes, thank you! This breakfast stir-fry has noodles, sautéed veggies, and a delicious peanut sauce. 

Ginger and garlic enhance this dish’s taste, while toasted peanuts provide a pleasant crunch.

There is nothing more gratifying than being stuffed with pasta, so you’ll love that the bulk of this meal is vermicelli noodles.

These thin rice noodles are the perfect morning comfort meal. They will fill you up and keep you toasty for the long day ahead!

5. Poha

This bowl of grains is formed like a bed of rice topped with either onion or potato (or both!).

With so many versions of this dish, you’ll be sure to find one perfect for you!

Red kidney beans and fresh bay leaves are essential components of poha. The protein from the kidney beans and the taste from the bay leaves are plenty to keep you full up.

Change the flavor and increase the nutritional value of your poha by adding a choice of toppings. Carrots, peas, coconut — the options are endless!

6. Poori Bhaji

Poori bhaji is a Southern Indian dish. The recipe calls for some puffed bread bits and curry sauce, along with many different spices!

This dipping sauce is thick and rich, filling you up and keeping you warm. With fresh bread and flavorful curry, it is impossible to go wrong with this dish!

7. Rava Idli

Not only is this recipe tasty, but it is also super healthy! Fresh veggies are combined with herbs and spices before being formed into lovely cakes.

Carrot and ginger root are seasoned with aromatic spices like cumin and mustard seed.

The cakes are kept together by a layer of creamy yogurt and garnished with a fresh cilantro leaf. It is a great dish that is perfect for a healthy meal!

8. Rava Pongal

When you know this meal is waiting for you in the morning, you’ll be eager to get out of bed.

This delectably seasoned dal is a hearty way to start the day.

In every bite, sweet green peas and crunchy cashews are combined to create a perfect balance of sensations that will fulfill your appetite.

Pair a heaping scoop of oatmeal with a calming cup of tea for the ideal comfortable breakfast.

9. East Indian Scrambled Eggs

What distinguishes this meal from ordinary scrambled eggs? Spices of course!

After tasting this type of scrambled eggs, you’ll never go back to plain scrambled eggs again.

These East Indian scrambled eggs will give you a whole new breakfast experience, as they are stuffed with vegetables and perfectly spiced.

These eggs are the ideal way to use any leftover veggies from past dinners.

Chop any leftover parts and add them to the eggs in the pan. More is better on this platter.

10. Oats Dhokla

In this recipe, steamed bread is topped with a vegetable tempering and then sliced and served.

You can use any vegetable in this meal, so you can make it perfect for you.

The recipe specifies that dhokla can be served cold, but they’re so tasty that they won’t even have a chance to cool down!

The combination of fresh green chiles and red chile powder gives these squares a spicy kick, but if that’s too spicy for you, just change the amount of spice or what spices you use.

11. Sabudana Khichdi

A traditional Indian meal or comfort food, Sabudana Khichdi is made with tapioca or sago pearls, potatoes, crisp and roasted almonds, lemon juice, and spices.

It has a chewy texture but doesn’t let that put you off!

During the Navratri season, Sabudana Khichdi is also one of the most popular fasting or vrat recipes. Sabudana is essentially a starch derived from cassava roots and tapioca.

Sabudana is known as sago or tapioca pearls in English.

This is a very satisfying meal that may be given alone for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of tea or coffee, or for vegetarian or vegan lunch or supper with curd salad or raita.

12. Oats Cheela

This simple breakfast on this list combines oats and a variety of veggies.

For this recipe, mix a thick batter quickly and pour it into a pan, and a nutritious supper will be ready in minutes!

Quick does not imply flavorless, though. These cheelas are super flavorful and delicious. Even the latest riser may appreciate a tasty and aromatic oat cheela in the morning.

Combine the veggies to create your preferred mix. With so many options, the taste combinations are limitless!

13. Thepla

Considered a staple meal by people who love Indian food, this flatbread is packed with flavors, including onion, fenugreek leaves, and garlic. 

Its spices impart a rich color and taste to the finished meal. Thepla is designed to be wrapped around tea or curd as a tasty morning choice.

14. Oats Upma

These grain bowls, similar to oats or porridge, are a tasty and healthful way to start the day.

The bowl culture is growing, from smoothie bowls to burrito bowls, and this meal is no exception.

Include an abundance of steamed carrots and antioxidant-rich oats, or for a protein boost, incorporate chickpeas.

In either case, a bowl of upma will provide you with sustained energy.

15. Dosa

This dish is a triumph for breakfast lovers who prepare ahead. Make a dosa bread similar to savory crepes by allowing rice flour and water to ferment overnight.

These exquisite appetizers are as much a piece of art as they are a wonderful meal.

Alter the flavor profile of your dosa by topping it with many different chutneys.

The chutneys wonderfully complement the earthy, sour flavor of the fermented dosa. This could become your new morning staple!

16. Appam

Appam, another vegan and gluten-free meal, is the ideal brunch meal if you have guests around. 

These fried cakes are extremely similar to the previously described dosa, but the yeast in the recipes produces a far lighter result.

These delights are not intended to be eaten on their own, but rather as carriers for various soups and spreads.

Combine with your preferred stew or curry for a healthy breakfast.

The sweetness of the appam, provided by the coconut in the batter, contrasts well with the richness of the dips.

17. Indian Spiced Omelettes

Every culture has its method for preparing an omelet, and this is India’s!

Unique to this omelet recipe is the quantity of fresh herbs used to flavor the eggs. Fresh cilantro and mint are used in place of vegetables in this recipe.

Garlic, turmeric, ginger root, and onion provide flavor to this delicious egg mixture. Once you take a mouthful, you will never be satisfied with a bland omelet again!

18. Aloo Puri

This is potato curry, which is known as aloo in India. When eaten with puri, you’ll get a divine pairing!

The potato is seasoned with a variety of spices and then drenched in a flavorful tomato sauce. The tastes are tart and peppery at the same time.

Could anything be superior to handmade bread? Break open a heated puri and observe the fresh steam rising from its hollow interior.

Fill the middle with aloo curry and have a delicious breakfast.

19. Bread Upma

This savory spread for bread may be eaten at any time of day but is especially delicious for breakfast.

This bread upma dish is excellent because of the inclusion of aromatic mustard seeds and fresh herbs such as coriander.

This dish’s basis is tomatoes, while green chiles provide the spice. When combined with onion and garlic, this is the perfect delicious spread.

Bread upma disproves the notion that bread and butter cannot be improved upon.

20. Vada

Although these delicious fritters resemble donuts, don’t be misled! They are a tasty vegetable-based snack!

Vada is seasoned with curry, ginger, and cilantro, as is customary. The baked goods are then cooked till golden brown.

If you can wait until they have cooled, dip them in your preferred curry or sambar sauce for a dinner that might be the highlight of your day.

21. Dhokla

Dhokla or Khaman Dhokla is a steamed dish prepared with gram flour or chickpea flour (besan) and a few spices.

This savory cake is a famous dish from Gujarat, India that may be served for breakfast, as a snack, as a main course, or as a side dish for lunch or supper. Yep, it can be served for every meal!

Dhokla is a fermented batter consisting primarily of rice flour and chickpea flour that is cooked and served as a savory cake.

Khaman Dhokla is a kind of savory cake known as Dhokla that is prepared using only besan or gram flour and a leavening ingredient.

This hearty breakfast will get you ready for the day ahead.

22. Oats Uttapam

Do you have yogurt with an expiration date that has passed? Don’t throw it away, use it inside this uttapam dish!

By mixing yogurt and oat flour, you may produce a rich cake that can be topped with chutney or sambar.

Do not overlook the mix-ins either! This delectable dinner is completed with chopped veggies on top of each uttapam.

From green chiles and tomatoes to peppers and onions, this recipe is completely customizable.

23. Oats Kheer

Finally, a sweet choice for breakfast! Like overnight oats or rice pudding, rolled oats are softened by soaking them in ghee and milk.

Add your preferred dried fruits for sweetness and texture. This kheer, either hot or cold, is both a dessert and a meal!

This is the breakfast you’ve been imagining, with its buttery cream and satisfying oats. Prepare a bowl to see what you’ve been missing.

24. Pakwan

Crispy pakwan is the ideal pairing for an assortment of chutneys and curries. 

This pakwan recipe is seasoned with cumin and carom seeds to impart a delicious crunch and potent flavor!

Beautiful pakwan is the result of a labor of love. Make a larger quantity and eat some for lunch. They are the ideal travel food for meals on the run if you have a busy morning.

25. Idli Fry

If you have been trying many of the dishes on this list and find yourself overwhelmed with leftovers, then this is the perfect recipe to use these. 

For this recipe, you can use any leftover dahl to make idll fry.

These tasty oval-shaped chips are the ideal complement to any dips and an effortless way to start the day.

Their distinctive form makes them great for dipping, so be sure to stock plenty.

26. Breadless Sandwich

This breadless sandwich is essentially just an eggless omelet, which may sound strange but trust us it is very tasty!

This is a protein-packed sandwich recipe that is certain to become your family’s new favorite.

Are you in the process of transitioning from eating meat (including eggs) to a vegetarian or vegan diet? Then you have found the best recipe for you!

This sandwich is one of the greatest vegetarian gluten-free recipes that you can serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it is also the perfect option if you are on a weight reduction program (for more vegetarian breakfast recipes, read here) . 

With a few modifications to the contents, this breadless sandwich may be turned vegan.

During vrat or fasting days, this sandwich recipe can still be prepared, simply remove onions and you’ll be ready to go.

Summary

Try any one of these delicious Indian breakfast recipes above to find you and your family’s new favorite breakfast food!