11 Flattened Poha Recipes for Quick Breakfasts

Growing up in an Indian household, the sizzle of poha in the morning was my alarm clock. My mom would whip up a steaming plate of kanda poha before school, the aroma of onions, peanuts, and curry leaves wafting through the house. Those hurried bites between brushing teeth and grabbing my backpack were pure comfort—light, fluffy flattened rice that fueled my day without weighing me down. Even today, poha remains my go-to for busy mornings.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my tiny city kitchen, turning the classic into vibrant twists to keep breakfast exciting. From adding cheese for my picky toddler to sneaking in greens for a nutrient boost, these recipes have saved countless rushed days. In a world obsessed with heavy smoothies and oats, poha shines for its speed—ready in under 10 minutes—and versatility, proving flattened rice is a breakfast hero for health-conscious foodies.

Classic Kanda Poha

This timeless Maharashtrian favorite is simplicity at its best. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 1 onion finely chopped, 2 tbsp peanuts, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 green chili, curry leaves, turmeric, salt, lemon juice, coriander for garnish.
Rinse poha and set aside to fluff. Heat oil, temper mustard seeds, peanuts, chili, and curry leaves; add onions till golden, stir in turmeric and salt, then fold in poha. Cook 2-3 minutes, finish with lemon and coriander.
It’s protein-packed from peanuts, aids digestion, and keeps you full till lunch—under 10 minutes!

Vegetable Poha Delight

Load up on veggies for a colorful, nutrient-dense start. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, ½ cup mixed veggies (carrots, peas, beans chopped), 1 onion, ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, turmeric, salt, lemon.
Fluff rinsed poha. Sauté cumin, onions, ginger-garlic, add veggies till tender, mix in turmeric, salt, and poha; steam 3 minutes, squeeze lemon.
Bursting with fiber and vitamins, it’s a sneaky way to eat more plants, perfect for weight management and glowing skin.

Lemon Peanut Poha

Tangy and crunchy, this zesty version wakes up your taste buds. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, ¼ cup roasted peanuts, 2 lemons’ juice, green chilies, mustard seeds, turmeric, sugar pinch, coriander.
Rinse and drain poha. Temper mustard, chilies in oil, add turmeric, peanuts, poha; cook briefly, mix in lemon and sugar. Garnish with coriander.
High in healthy fats from peanuts and vitamin C from lemon, it boosts immunity and metabolism for an energetic morning.

Indori Poha

Street-style from Indore with a spicy sev crunch. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 1 onion, pomegranate seeds, sev, fennel seeds, chili powder, turmeric, lemon, coriander.
Fluff poha post-rinse. Sauté fennel, onions; add poha, chili, turmeric; top with sev, pomegranate, onion rings, and lemon.
Antioxidant-rich from pomegranate, it’s a fun, crunchy upgrade that satisfies cravings while being light on calories.

Coconut Poha

South Indian-inspired with fresh coconut freshness. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, ½ cup grated coconut, urad dal, chana dal, green chilies, curry leaves, mustard, salt.
Rinse poha. Temper dals, mustard, chilies, curry leaves; add coconut, poha, salt; toss gently 2 minutes.
Healthy fats from coconut promote satiety, and it’s gluten-free, ideal for gut health and tropical mornings.

Sweet Poha Kheer

A guilt-free dessert-like breakfast for sweet tooths. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 2 cups milk, jaggery to taste, cardamom, nuts (almonds, cashews), saffron.
Roast poha lightly, boil with milk till thick, stir in jaggery, cardamom, saffron, and nuts. Simmer 5 minutes.
Calcium-rich from milk and natural sweetness from jaggery, it stabilizes blood sugar better than sugary cereals.

Poha Upma

Semolina-style but lighter and faster. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 1 carrot grated, capsicum, onion, ginger, urad dal, mustard, green chilies, lemon.
Coarsely grind poha lightly. Temper dal, mustard, veggies, ginger, chilies; add poha, salt, lemon; mix 4 minutes.
Low-GI for steady energy, veggie-packed for vitamins— a savory twist that’s toddler-approved.

Masala Poha

Spice lovers’ delight with bold flavors. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, pav bhaji masala, potatoes diced small, onion, tomatoes, cumin, coriander powder, chili.
Fluff poha. Sauté cumin, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, masalas; fold in poha, cook covered 3 minutes.
Anti-inflammatory spices aid digestion, potatoes add potassium—quick fuel for active days.

Cheese and Corn Poha

Fusion cheesy goodness for kids and adults. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, ½ cup corn kernels, ½ cup grated cheese, onion, butter, oregano, chili flakes.
Rinse poha. Sauté onions, corn in butter; add poha, cheese, oregano, flakes; melt together 2 minutes.
Protein from cheese and fiber from corn make it balanced, turning breakfast into a fun indulgence.

Spinach Poha

Green power breakfast for iron boost. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 1 cup chopped spinach, garlic, cumin, turmeric, lemon, peanuts.
Blanch spinach quickly. Temper cumin, garlic, peanuts; add spinach, turmeric, poha, salt; finish with lemon.
Iron-rich spinach combats fatigue, poha’s low-cal base keeps it light—perfect for wellness warriors.

Tomato Poha

Juicy, tangy, and tomato-forward simplicity. Ingredients: 1 cup poha, 2 tomatoes pureed, onion, cumin, chili powder, garam masala, coriander.
Fluff poha. Sauté cumin, onions; add tomato puree, spices, simmer, mix in poha; cook 3 minutes.
Lycopene from tomatoes supports heart health, naturally sweet and saucy for variety.

These 11 poha recipes prove that quick breakfasts don’t have to be boring—light, nutritious, and endlessly customizable. Grab your flattened rice and experiment this week; your mornings (and taste buds) will thank you! Which one will you try first? Share in the comments.