Poha – Light & Flavorful Indian Breakfast (Kanda Poha)
A quick, healthy, and delicious Indian breakfast made with flattened rice, onions, peanuts, and spices. Poha is light, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Serving
2
Difficulty
Easy
About the Recipe
Poha is one of India’s most traditional breakfast dishes — light, comforting, and packed with flavor. Made from flattened rice, softened just enough to stay fluffy, it absorbs spices beautifully. Tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, peanuts, and a squeeze of lemon, Poha delivers a balanced start to the day without being heavy.
It’s inexpensive, versatile, and ready in under 15 minutes. Add peas, carrots, potatoes, or pomegranate if you want variations.
Ingredients
- Main:
- 2 cups thick poha (flattened rice)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1–2 green chillies, slit
- 8–10 curry leaves
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh coriander, chopped
- Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ tsp sugar (for mild sweetness)
- ½ cup green peas
- 1 small boiled potato, cubed
- Pomegranate seeds for topping
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 270kcal
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Iron: 4 mg
Directions
1. Prepare the Poha
- Rinse poha in a sieve under running water for a few seconds.
- Let it sit to soften, but don’t let it turn mushy.
2. Make the Tempering
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Add curry leaves, green chillies, and onions.
- Sauté until onions turn soft.
3. Spice the Base
- Add turmeric and salt.
- If using peas or potatoes, add now and cook for 1–2 minutes.
4. Add Poha
- Add softened poha and mix gently.
- Cover and steam on low heat for 2–3 minutes.
- If dry, sprinkle a little water.
5. Finish
- Turn off heat.
- Add lemon juice and roasted peanuts.
- Garnish with coriander.
6. Serve
- Serve hot. Poha tastes best fresh with extra lemon or a side of sev.
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