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Home » Breakfast » Bread Upma

Bread Upma

Published: Feb 6, 2014 · Modified: Jun 5, 2021 by Shweta Arora · This post may contain affiliate links

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Bread Upma is an easy and delicious Indian breakfast recipe made from bread, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, spices, and herbs. This spicy masala bread upma comes together in 30 mins, makes a filling meal with chai, and is a great way to use up that leftover bread!!

Bread upma garnished with cilantro on a plate with lemon wedge on sidde

Rava Upma and Poha were regular for breakfast dishes at mom's but she made bread upma only when we had lots of leftover white bread lying around.

It is one of my favorite breakfast and snack recipes and I looked forward to breakfast on those days!!

There is something so addictive about those masala-soaked bread that I just can't stop eating!! and bet you won't be able to either.

This Bread Poha is

  • extremely delicious
  • great way to use that leftover bread
  • easy and quick
  • can be made ahead of time
  • perfect for lunchbox

Bread Upma, is also known as a bread poha and is a Maharashtrian and South Indian recipe.

It is made by cooking bread pieces with onion, tomato, spices, and herbs.

Bread Poha is referred to as upma or poha because of the way the bread is tempered. It is similar to when we make upma or poha, just that instead of rava (in upma) and pohe we use bread pieces.

Although this masala bread upma is a great way to use that stale leftover bread, fresh bread works too.

It's a delicious and easy recipe that can be served for breakfast, snack, or brunch!! So let's see how to make Bread Upma!!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for bread upma in white bowls on wooden tray

Bread - I prefer using slightly stale bread as it works best for this recipe. Although fresh can be used too.

Any type of bread can be used like sandwich bread (white, whole wheat, brown bread, or multigrain) or pav (dinner rolls), or even burger buns.

I have cubed the bread using a knife (for more uniformity) but my Mom would simply tear it into small pieces with her hand. So your choice!!

Veggies - onions and tomatoes are the basic ones. In addition, I also like to add bell pepper and green peas. You can add more veggies to make it nutritious!!

Tadka (tempering) - mustard seeds (rai), cumin seeds (zeera), curry leaves (gives great flavor), green chili (adjust according to your spice level), and ginger (adds great flavor).

Spices - just basic ones like salt, sugar, turmeric, red chili powder and lemon juice for the perfect balance of sweet, salt, tang, spice and color.

Herbs - Cilantro leaves for garnishing. I prefer using the cilantro stems as well in making the masala as it adds great flavor. So don't throw away those stems and use in sabzis and curries.

Step by Step Method

Steps for making bread pieces and tempering

1 - Cut the bread into pieces (cubes) or tear it into small pieces with hand. Keep aside. You can do this ahead of time and store them covered in the fridge.

2 - Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil.

3 - When the mustard seeds start spluttering add the cumin seeds. Saute till the cumin seeds also splutter and change their color.

4 - Stir in the green chili, curry leaves, and ginger. Be careful as the oil will splutter high and rapidly when you add the curry leaves and green chilies. Saute a few seconds so curry leaves crisp up.

Steps for making onion tomato masala for bread upma

5 - Add the onions, saute for a minute or until they just turn translucent.

6 - Stir in the bell pepper and green peas.

7 - Cover and cook for 2 mins or until onions are golden and veggies are almost cooked. If you prefer crunchy bell pepper, add it once tomatoes are cooked.

8 - Stir in the cilantro stems (optional but recommended) and tomatoes. Cover, and cook for 2-3 mins or till tomatoes are soft.

Final step of mixing bread with onion tomato masala for bread upma

9 - Add in the spices, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and sugar followed by 1-2 tablespoons of water.

10 - Cook until the spices are cooked and the onion-tomato masala is almost dry.

11 - Stir in the bread pieces and mix well together to ensure the onion-tomato masala coats the bread pieces evenly. Cover and cook for about 2 mins to help bread absorb all the flavors.

12 - Finally squeeze in some lemon juice and add cilantro leaves. Mix well. 

Delicious Bread upma is ready!! Serve hot!!

Serving suggestion

I like to serve bread upma hot garnished with some more cilantro, sev (Indian noodles made with chickpea flour), a lemon wedge, and chai on the side. Makes such a delicious meal!!

If you prefer, add a green chutney or spicy ketchup on the side to dip!!

Bread upma in a pan with bowls of cilantro and lemon on side

Recipe Tips

Bread - Any leftover bread or fresh bread of choice can be used for this recipe, Slice bread, dinner rolls, pav, white bread, whole wheat, brown bread, or even multigrain can be used.

Toast the bread - this is optional but if you prefer slightly crunchy bites rather than soft bread upma, toast the bread first before cutting it in pieces and adding to the masala. I prefer soft upma so I skip this step.

Alternately, you can leave the pan undisturbed on medium heat to get those slightly crispy and caramelized bites.

Nuts - If you like some crunch, add roasted peanuts or cashews at the end to the upma.  To roast, just saute raw peanuts or cashews in oil and remove them and keep them aside.

Variation - craving Mumbai masala pav? add some pav bhaji masala along with the other spices!! Or you can also add sambar powder for that fun twist!!

Frequently asked questions

Can I make bread upma recipe without tomato?

Yes, absolutely!! Tomato adds a nice tang to the recipe but if you don't prefer it you can definitely make this upma with just onions and other veggies too.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, you can make bread upma 2-3 days in advance allow it to cool completely, and then store it in the fridge covered. Before eating, warm up in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop until heated through.

More Breakfast Recipes

  • Tomato Omelette - Besan Cheela - Besan Chilla
  • Sabudana Vada Recipe
  • Vegetable Puff Recipe
  • Leftover Dal Paratha
Side view of plate of bread upma with spoon and lemon wedge on plate

Hope you enjoy this Bread Upma recipe!! If you give this recipe a try, please rate by clicking stars ⭐️ on the recipe card. Thank you ❤️ ! You can also follow me on Facebook | Instagram to see what’s cooking in my kitchen!!

Tried this recipe?Please rate the recipe by clicking the stars below
Bread upma garnished with cilantro on a plate with lemon wedge on sidde

Bread Upma

Shweta Arora
Bread Upma is an easy and delicious Indian breakfast recipe made from bread, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, spices, and herbs. This spicy masala bread upma comes together in 30 mins, makes a filling meal with chai, and is a great way to use up that leftover bread!!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 3
Calories 944 kcal
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Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups bread pieces cubed, 6-7 sandwich bread slices or 4-5 burger buns or pav
  • 1-2 tablespoon oil canola or vegetable
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds rai
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds zeera
  • 1-2 green chillies slit vertically, adjust to taste
  • 10-12 curry leaves
  • ½ teaspoon ginger minced or grated
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped, ¾ cup approximately
  • 1 medium tomato finely chopped, ¾ cup approximately
  • ¼ cup green peas optional
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper chopped (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • salt as needed
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro stems finely chopped, optional
  • 2-3 tablespoon cilantro leaves finely chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions
 

Prep Work

  • Cut the bread into pieces (cubes) or tear it into small pieces with hand. Keep aside. You can do this ahead of time and store them covered in the fridge.

To make Bread Upma

  • Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds to the hot oil.
  • When the mustard seeds start spluttering add the cumin seeds. Saute till the cumin seeds also splutter and change their color.
  • Stir in the green chili, curry leaves, and ginger. Be careful as the oil will splutter high and rapidly when you add the curry leaves and green chilies. Saute a few seconds so curry leaves crisp up.
  • Add the onions, saute for a minute or until they just turn translucent.
  • Stir in the bell pepper and green peas.Cover and cook for 2 mins or until onions are golden and veggies are almost cooked.
    If you prefer crunchy bell pepper, add it once tomatoes are cooked.
  • Add the cilantro stems (optional but recommended) and tomatoes. Cover, and cook for 2-3 mins or till tomatoes are soft.
  • Stir in the spices, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and sugar followed by 1-2 tablespoons of water.
  • Cook until the spices are cooked and the onion-tomato masala is almost dry.
  • Stir in the bread pieces and mix well together to ensure the onion-tomato masala coats the bread pieces evenly.
  • Cover and cook for about 2 mins to help bread absorb all the flavors.
  • Finally squeeze in some lemon juice and add cilantro leaves. Mix well.
  • Delicious Bread upma is ready!! Serve it hot garnished with some more cilantro, sev (chickpea flour noodles), a lemon wedge, and chai on the side. Enjoy!!

Notes

Bread - Any leftover bread or fresh bread of choice can be used for this recipe, Slice bread, dinner rolls, pav, white bread, whole wheat, brown bread, or even multigrain can be used.
Toast the bread - this is optional but if you prefer slightly crunchy bites rather than soft bread upma, toast the bread first before cutting it in pieces and adding to the masala. I prefer soft upma so I skip this step.
Veggies: To make it more nutritious, add veggies of choice. Bell pepper, green beans, green peas, carrots, and potatoes are a few options. 
Nuts - If you like some crunch, add roasted peanuts or cashews at the end to the upma.  To roast, just saute raw peanuts or cashews in oil and remove them and keep them aside.
Variation - craving Mumbai masala pav? add some pav bhaji masala along with the other spices!! Or you can also add sambar powder for that fun twist!!

Nutrition

Calories: 944kcal | Carbohydrates: 167g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1704mg | Potassium: 815mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 833IU | Vitamin C: 94mg | Calcium: 474mg | Iron: 12mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shwetainthekitchen or tag #shwetainthekitchen!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sowmias Galley

    August 25, 2015 at 5:37 am

    love your step by step instructions with pictures. Great share

    Reply
  2. Anto

    August 24, 2015 at 5:22 am

    Easy and Quick Breakfast!!

    Reply
  3. Kushi S

    August 24, 2015 at 5:22 am

    quick and yummy recipe dear.Love this !

    Reply
  4. Veena Theagarajan

    February 20, 2014 at 5:55 am

    nice tempting clicks.. Love this upma anytime good alternative to normal toast

    Reply
  5. Dipti Joshi

    February 20, 2014 at 5:55 am

    Very filling breakfast option!

    Reply
  6. Sandhya Khattri

    February 16, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Perfect upma, beautiful clicks

    Reply
  7. Arjunan Akilandeswari

    February 11, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Lovely upma

    Reply
  8. Sangeetha Nambi

    February 11, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    OMG ! Super yummy !

    Reply
  9. Sangeetha Priya

    February 11, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    tempting bread upma, love it!!!

    Reply
  10. chikkus Kitchen

    February 11, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Simple and delicious bread upma 🙂 Love ur clicks dear

    Reply

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