Bread upma is a popular and delicious variation of south Indian upma with bread slices. Tastes best when served hot with chutney, coffee.

Got some stale slices of bread lying around? Turn them into delicious upma with veggies for a yummy and hearty breakfast.



Whenever I have leftover bread slices, especially white bread, I make this upma. The slight sweet taste of white bread is perfect for this recipe of bread upma.

I always add veggies for this upma to both up the volume as well as taste. You can however make this recipe without veggies too. Just add onion for flavor.

What Is Bread Upma?

Upma with bread is a typical south Indian thing. Along with rava upma we make arisi upma, wheat rava upma, aval upma, millet upma last but not the least bread upma 🙂

Cubed bread slices are sauteed with veggies in a typical south Indian mustard curry leaves tempering in this recipe. While veggies are optional I always recommend you add them.

Along with vegetables I usually add a small portion of protein like paneer cubes or boiled chickpeas. You can also add mushrooms, eggs, peanuts in this recipe.

I make this bread upma very often and over the years it has become our favorites. Whenever I am in short of time and need to put breakfast on the table in minutes, this upma comes to my rescue.

Not only easy to make, this is a very delicious and hearty dish that we love.

You can use any type of bread like sour dough bread, baguette, pav, garlic loaf, multigrain loaf or brown bread for making this recipe. You can also easily vary the flavors of this upma.

Although south Indian, this bread upma is popular and favorite across the country. You will find this quick bread snack in almost all office and college canteens.

This Bread Upma Is

so easy to make

hearty and yummy

perfect for breakfast or snack

Vegetarian recipe

Can be made vegan by using vegan bread & omitting paneer

Wholesome snack for kids

How To Make Bread Upma?

To make this recipe at home you can use any kind of bread though white bread tastes best in upma. Use stale bread or 2 days old bread if you prefer your upma non mushy.

Along with veggies I have added few paneer cubes as I do in masala pasta. Instead of paneer you can add boiled egg, mushrooms, tofu also.

I have chopped off the edges of the bread to make it less chewy. If you want crispy bread slices you can keep the edges. You can also use pav, baguette, garlic loaf in this recipe.

To begin with, heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds, cumin, minced ginger and green chilies. Saute chopped onions, followed by veggies. Saute till veggies turn soft. Season with salt, turmeric powder and chili powder.

Add the cubed bread slices and saute for 6-8 minutes. Finish with chopped coriander leaves and fresh lemon juice. Mix well and serve. You can serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and top with sev. Serve with ginger tea, masala tea or coffee.

Apart from serving as breakfast, you can pack this bread upma in toddlers and kids snack box also.

Top Tips To Remember

I have added paneer cubes to make this upma tastier. To make this recipe vegan you can leave out paneer or add tofu cubes or boiled chickpeas.

You can make this recipe with ghee to enhance the flavor.

If vegetables are not handy, just use onion and green chilies.

You can double or triple the recipe.

Store any left over in refrigerator and use with two days. You can gently reheat in 2 teaspoons oil.

Similar Recipes



bread cutlet

bread dosa

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Step By Step Bread Upma Recipe



Heat 3 teaspoons oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, crushed ginger and green chilies. Saute for 2-3 minutes.

Next add finely chopped onions and saute till the color changes slightly.

Now add the chopped veggies and saute for 3-4 minutes. Saute well for 2-3 minutes.

Add salt, turmeric powder and mix well.

Add 1/8 cup water. Cook the veggies for 5 minutes.

Add the cubed bread and mix well. Cook in low flame for 4-5 minutes.

Once the bread pieces are cooked, remove from flame. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Serve bread upma hot.

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