10 Indian Breakfast Dishes That Everyone Should Try

Do you often wake up super hungry and wondering what to eat for breakfast?  You can skip the boring options like cereal and make a traditional Indian breakfast. In Indian homes, breakfast is an important part of the day. Indian breakfast is just as gourmet, rich, delicious, and versatile as the rest of the cuisine. Each region of India has its own specialties. The beverage of choice for breakfast is chai.  In recent years, coffee has become popular also.

Indian cuisine offers breakfast with a diverse array of mouthwatering options. Below are our top ten recommendations that will start your day right:

1. Idli and Sambar

Idli and sambar is the quintessential breakfast in South India. Idlis are steamed rice cakes made from fermented rice and lentil batter. The batter is steamed into circular molds.  The result is fluffy moon-like savory rice cakes. It can be eaten by itself. Idlis are light, fluffy, and flavorful. Idlis are also served with vegetable sambar.

Sambar is a spicy lentil-based vegetable stew. The stew is made with lentils,  vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, shallots, radishes, drumsticks and tamarind paste, herbs, and sambar powder. Sambar is a versatile dish and accompanies everything from dosas to rice. Sambar is spicy and tangy.

2. Dosa

Dosa is a giant crispy crepe. It is one of the most beloved breakfast items in South India. Dosa is a lacey thin crepe made with fermented rice and lentil batter.   Dosa is a savory crepe filled with spicy potato mash made with potatoes, spices, onions, and curry leaves. Dosa is served with vegetable sambar and coconut chutney. Dosa is a delicious creation.

3. Paratha

Paratha is golden-brown in color, crispy and flaky. This square-shaped unleavened flatbread is made with whole wheat flour, salt, water, and ghee. The dough is divided into medium-sized balls and rolled with a rolling pin. It is then layered with ghee and shallow fried on each side.

Stuffed parathas come in delicious variations like aloo (potato), mooli (radish), gobi (cauliflower), and cheese. If you are on a  time crunch, try our instant no knead parathas recipe. This paratha recipe is incredibly satisfying. Paratha is commonly served with achar and yogurt.

4. Methi Thepla

Methi thepla is freshly made daily at Patel’s Fresh Kitchen inside the store. Methi thepla is made by using methi leaves (fenugreek leaves) and a combination of flour such as wheat flour and gram flour and various spices and herbs.  Thepla is served with yogurt, chutney, or pickle (achar).  Thepla is the go-to flatbread for breakfast.

5. Batata Poha

Batata Poha is also known as flattened potato rice. This is a popular and quick Gujarati snack and breakfast item.  This is made with flattened rice with spices, onions, and potatoes.  Poha is light but very flavorful and palatable.

6. Upma

Upma is a savory nutrient-rich dish. It has a porridge-like consistency.  First oats are roasted separately and then mixed with vegetables, dried lentils, curry leaves, spices, and cashews. Upma can also be made with coarse semolina or quinoa.

It’s a versatile dish as it can be customized by adding your choice of vegetables and spices. Upma is a wholesome and healthy breakfast option.

7.Rava Uttapam

Rava Uttapam is the Indian version of savory pancakes. The batter is prepared with semolina, yogurt, grated vegetables, and spices. In a large frying pan on medium heat, ghee, and uttapam batter are added to the pan. It is cooked until golden brown on both sides.

Rava Uttapam can be easily personalized by adding veggies of your choice. Rava uttapam is served with coconut chutney. Rava uttapam is soft, fluffy, spongy, and scrumptious.

8.Khaman Dhokla

Dhokla is a savory, soft, and fluffy steamed chickpea flour cake. It can be served as breakfast or snack throughout the day, made from gram flour, semolina, and various spices. Once the batter is thoroughly steamed, it is tempered with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, hing, curry leaves, green peppers, and cilantro.

It is accompanied by mint chutney and tamarind chutney, adding extra flavor to this delicious breakfast treat. Dhokla is also commonly served during religious occasions, celebrations, and festivals.

9.Masala Omelet

Masala Omelet is no ordinary omelet, it is an elevated spicy omelet. It is loaded with onions, cilantro, green pepper, tomatoes, and a myriad of spices. Masala Omelet retains the natural creaminess of eggs, crisp edges, and spices that add extreme flavor to the eggs.

Masala Omelet is best when eaten with butter toast or a crispy layered paratha.

10.Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is an all-time famous breakfast dish in North India. It consists of two components. Chole is a spicy chickpea curry made with chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, garlic and ginger paste, and aromatic spices such as cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala.  The chole is then garnished with chopped onions, green chili peppers, and lemon wedges.

Bhature is also known as puri. Bhature is round-shaped bread made from the dough of flour, and yogurt, with a pinch of salt and baking powder.  Bhature is deep-fried until it puffs up and becomes golden brown. Bhature has an airy texture on the inside and is crispy on the outside. Chole Bhature is heavenly, indulgent, and exquisite.

These are just some examples of the rich variety of Indian breakfast options. These breakfast options can be prepared fairly quickly. Indian breakfast is definitely worth waking up for.

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