This easy recipe of Bread Upma is made with bread cubes, tomatoes, spices, and herbs. It is also known as Masala Bread and is moderately spicy, tangy, full of flavors, and customizable! Jump to:Easy To Make Bread UpmaWhy You Love Bread UpmaIngredientsHow To Make Bread UpmaServing SuggestionsVariationsRecipe TipsMore Breakfast or Snack RecipesRecipe Card
Easy To Make Bread Upma
This dish is definitely dedicated to my mom. It is not only food but brings lots of childhood memories. My mom often made the Bread Upma for an evening or after-school snack. It was one of my and my brother’s favorite snacks. My mom used to call it by different names, Bread Upma, Masala Bread, or Bread Dhokla. So, this recipe is inspired by my mom’s recipe, and I have made a few changes to the family’s preference. But I have provided the ideas for customization or variation in this post; do not forget to check it out! I have used homemade white bread from this recipe White Sandwich Bread. And this bread is vegan, but you can use store-bought bread and soft bread for this recipe. But if you are looking for a healthy option, use whole-wheat bread. Instead of bread slices, you can use Pav or dinner rolls to make this Upma. The recipe is quick and easy but can not be made ahead of time. Because if it is kept for longer, the bread cubes will become soggy. So, serve the Bread Upma immediately after making it. However, you can prepare the tomato mixture in advance. And when you are ready to serve Bread Upma, heat the tomato mixture, add the bread cubes and continue with the next steps. I have added pav bhaji masala, which adds street-style food flavors to the Upma. But you can skip adding pav bhaji masala or add garam masala instead. Bread Upma is Chatpata, full of flavors, and very delicious. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or evening snacks.
Ingredients
How To Make Bread Upma
Toast the bread slices in the toaster and let them cool down. Then, chop the toasted bread slices into cubes and set them aside. You can also use the bread slices without toasting them and chop them into cubes.
Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Allow cumin seeds to sizzle, and add asafoetida, green chili, and ginger. Mix well and saute for a few seconds.
Add chopped green pepper, mix well and cook for two minutes.
Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, and pav bhaji masala and mix well.
Cook the tomato mixture until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. It is essential to cook tomatoes for long enough to remove the rawness of the tomatoes.
Add ½ cup water and sugar, mix well, and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes or until the mixture slightly thickens.
Now add bread cubes and gently mix until the bread cubes are coated well with the tomato mixture. If the Upma looks dry and the masala is not coating well, sprinkle some water on the top and mix well. Do not add too much water, as the bread should not become soggy.
Taste and adjust the salt if required. Add finely chopped coriander leaves, mix well, and serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Bread Upma hot or warm, and do not keep it for longer; otherwise, the bread will become soggy. You can drizzle some lemon juice on top of the Bread Upma to brighten the flavors before serving. For crunch, garnish the Bread Upma with toasted and chopped peanuts or cashews.
Variations
Mustard Seeds: You can replace cumin seeds with mustard seeds or add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. Urad Dal: When oil is hot, add ½ teaspoon urad dal, roast until it is lightly brown, and then add cumin seeds. Urad dal will add flavor and crunch. Curry Leaves: For more south Indian flavor, add 5-6 curry leaves with ginger and green chili. Vegetables: You can add more finely chopped veggies to this Upma. The suggestions are finely chopped celery, carrots, or boiled green peas. Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves): For north Indian flavor, add ½ teaspoon crushed Kasoori methi with coriander. Toppings: Top the Bread Upma with your choice of toppings. The suggestions are toasted and chopped peanuts or cashews. Make It Street-Style Food: Sprinkle some chaat masala and fine Sev on top of the Upma for street food flavors.
