Move over eggs, bacon, and toast! A hearty breakfast doesn't always have to start with the morning OJ and a couple of cracked eggs. For the breakfast lovers out there, how do stacks of savory flatbreads, combined with a plethora of rich sauces and curry, sound to you?
In India, everyday items eaten at breakfast may vary widely depending on the region and people's tastes (over 1.3 billion people are living among 28 states!), which means that breakfast fans can rejoice: For foodies who love Indian food (or for those who have never tried it before), these savory and sweet breakfast items will be sure to satiate the morning munchies!
Updated by Gabriel Kirellos, November 7th, 2021: Indian yummy food is constantly changing and developing. Moreover, no matter how much is written about the delicious meals of India, we will not be able to cover all of the savory eats emerging from there. This is why we have reviewed this list to include some must-try Indian breakfasts, such as the Upma and Aloo Paratha.
11 Idli
Like a savory mini pancake, this South Indian breakfast food is made from rice flour and served alongside coconut chutney and sambar (a delicious, flavorful soup made from lentils and curry leaves). Idli is usually served alongside other South Indian breakfast favorites, including dosas (a thin Indian crepe) and medu vada (a deep-fried chickpea fritter).
10 Medu vada
These are not the sweet glazed doughnuts one would get at a coffee shop. Medu Vadas are a popular South Indian breakfast item made using chickpea flour, shaped into a traditional doughnut form, and deep-fried until it's golden brown. With a side of some chutney and sambal, this breakfast item is sure to please any foodie looking for a savory morning meal.
9 Misal Pav
Travelers can find this dish in Maharashtra, India's second-largest state. This dish consists of misal, a spicy curry made of moth (or moong) beans eaten with a soft, toasted, and buttered bread roll. Garnishes such as coriander, onions, or crushed dried noodles can also be added to complete the dish.
8 Dosa
These savory delights are the South Indian version of a crepe, or skinny pancake, using a wet batter made of fermented lentils or rice. Like idlis, dosas are commonly eaten alongside sambar and chutneys and can be modified to someone's tastes, such as an infusion of onions or chilies in the batter. Paper dosas are crunchy and can sometimes be as big as your head! Boiled potatoes mashed with spices can also be filled inside a dosa to make for an incredibly filling breakfast.
7 Poha
Pohas are simply flattened rice flakes that can be cooked quickly and in a short amount of time. Many households consider poha a pantry staple and can be mixed with various herbs, seasonings, legumes, and aromatic vegetables (i.e., onion) to make a quick savory breakfast that is cheap, filling, and straightforward.
6 Idiyaapam
Made from rice flour, idiyaapam are steamed rice noodles in South India, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Idiyaapam resembles thin, vermicelli-like noodles that can be eaten alongside savory curries or chutneys. These delicious noodles are a common breakfast item in Kerala, alongside appam and puttu. Idiyaapam can be used to soak up delicious curries and gravies during breakfast. Additionally, these thin noodles can be mixed with sweeteners (e.g., coconut sugar, jaggery), cardamom, coconut, and cashews for a delicious sweet treat for a morning meal.
5 Masala chai
Did you know that "chai" literally translates to tea in English? Masala chai is typically spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, and other aromatic spices. Milk and sweetener—traditionally jaggery—are mixed with masala chai to make for a delicious drink on cold nights or early mornings.
4 Kheer
Kheer is a sweet rice pudding typically eaten as a dessert or sweet snack, but who's to say that it can't also be eaten for breakfast? This sweet treat has a slightly thick consistency and is prepared using rice, sugar, cardamom, and milk. Ghee—a type of clarified butter—can also be enjoyed on top of kheer, dried fruits, and nuts.
3 Lassi
Made with yogurt (or dahi) and water, this beverage is meant to cool people down from the unforgiving, scorching heat. Lassi is enjoyed cold and can be either salty or sweet. With sweet lassi, aromatic ingredients like fruits (mango is a popular addition!), rosewater, ice cream, lemon, or strawberries can be added to the beverage. Lassi can really be enjoyed any time of day, breakfast included!
2 Upma
The Oats Upma Indian breakfast looks like porridge and oatmeal. The dish consists of delicious grain bowls that offer people a very nutritious meal. Since the rise of burrito and smoothie bowls, the Oats Upma bowl started gaining traction. The dish is best prepared when mixed with steamed carrots or chickpeas. No matter how it's done, the Oats Upma meal equips people with long-lasting energy.
1 Aloo Paratha
Aloo Paratha consists of stuffed flatbreads mixed with plenty of flavors. However, this dish can be prepared very quickly. Adding Garam Masala seasoning to the mix of flatbreads along with mashed potatoes will give the meal a perfect taste. The Aloo Paratha flatbreads are readily prepared using flour, water, and salt. For more flavors, one can add cilantro, ginger, scallions, and other spices.