Sweet Dalia is a wholesome Indian porridge of broken wheat and milk. Also known as meetha dalia. This is an easy Grandma-style sweet dalia recipe with four different topping ideas.
What is dalia?
Dalia is a cracked or broken wheat prepared by coarsely milling whole wheat grains. It is derived from the fibrous husk of the wheat grain and is considered highly nutritious because:
- It has five times more fibre than other processed grains.
- It is beneficial for those with diabetes or on a low-carb diet.
- It is a rich source of magnesium and iron.
- It keeps you full for a longer duration.
- It has a tasty nutty taste with an excellent chewy texture.
It is commonly used in Indian Cuisine to make breakfast upma, vegetable khichdi, kheer, or other healthy and tasty dishes.
Are dalia and oats are same?
Dalia (broken wheat) is made from wheat. In contrast, oats are made from a cereal grain called – oat. Generally, oats are gluten-free, whereas broken wheat is not gluten-free. But both the dalia and oats are vegan and plant-based ingredients.
About Broken Wheat Porridge
Broken Wheat Porridge is called meetha dalia in Hindi, which means sweet porridge. It is a traditional Indian porridge recipe.
As a kid, there were no fancy oatmeal, chia pudding, or overnight oats. The only power-packed breakfast porridge we knew back then was sweet dalia.
It is a wholesome, energizing, broken wheat porridge pressure cooked in whole milk flavoured with sugar and cardamom powder.
You can make this sweet dalia recipe in a stovetop pressure cooker or use the oatmeal function of an instant pot.
Ingredients Required
Broken Wheat: Use pre-roasted broken wheat (dalia) or cracked wheat.
Milk: You can use either regular milk or replace it with almond milk for a nutty taste and nutritional benefits.
Sweetener: Use jaggery powder or brown sugar, or dates. If you plan to add sweet toppings to your porridge, skip adding sweetener while making it.
Optional Ingredients: A pinch of cinnamon powder or cardamom powder gives a delicious aroma and taste to the sweet dalia.
How To Make
Pressure Cooker Method
- Heat Pressure Cooker.
- Dry roast the broken wheat. If you are using pre-roasted dalia, then skip this step.
- Add water, sugar (if adding), and stir to combine.
- Pressure Cook for two whistles over low heat. Release the steam manually.
- Open the lid and add milk, cinnamon or cardamom powder, and stir to combine. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Sweet Dalia is ready to serve.
Instant Pot Method:
- Set the SAUTE MODE of an instant pot for 2 minutes.
- Dry roast the broken wheat or use a teaspoon of ghee to roast the broken wheat.
- Add milk, sugar (if adding), cardamom, and cinnamon powder. Stir to combine. Close the lid of the IP. Use the porridge function on the instant pot and cook for 10 minutes. Or do manual pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- Release the steam manually. Gently mash the porridge using a ladle.
- Allow it to cool down or serve warm, topped with nuts and fruits.
4 Flavors Of Sweet Dalia
Porridges are a wholesome breakfast that has stood through the passage of time and trends for a reason.
Here are four flavour ideas for the sweet dalia recipe:
Kesar Badam: The original ingredients behind most cherished Indian desserts are saffron and dry fruits. Top your sweet dalia with a dash of saffron strands, chopped almonds, pistachio, edible rose petals or rose syrup. Let dalia sit in the fridge overnight with these aromatics and nuts. Enjoy an Indian dessert-style breakfast porridge in the morning.
Banana Chocolate: Bananas are a great addition to breakfast – they provide fibre and aid digestion. The twist of chocolate and banana makes dalia heavenly. You can use dark chocolate chips or a big Nutella or peanut butter spoonful.
Fresh Fruits: Fruits are a classic way to add many vitamins to your porridge. A handful of berries or summer fruits are a great option. Cut the fruit of choice into bite-sized cubes, drizzle a dash of honey for sweetness or add a spoonful of fresh fruit compote, and a colourful, fibrous breakfast is ready!
Museli Nuts: Pick your favourite cereal or muesli, and add a spoonful of the porridge tip and dried berries. Add a handful of your favourite nuts to the porridge for a crunchy, nutty meal that keeps you full until lunchtime. You can also toast the nuts before adding them for a better taste.
Storage Suggestion
This sweet dalia recipe is a meal prep-friendly breakfast dish. You can store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a week. Or you can pack and store it in mason jars for travelling or an office lunchbox.
It is a perfect home-cooked breakfast for busy weekdays!
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Sweet Dalia Recipe – 4 Ways
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup broken wheat (dalia)
- 1 Cup water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or jaggery powder
- 2 Cup milk
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (elaichi powder), optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder, optional
Kesar Badam Topping:
- ¼ teaspoon saffron strands
- 1 teaspoon chopped almonds
- 1 teaspoon chopped pistachio
- 1 teaspoon raisins (kishmish)
- ½ teaspoon edible rose petals
Banana Chocolate Topping:
- 1 ripe sweet banana, sliced
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 tablespoon Nutella or peanut butter
Fresh Fruits Topping:
- ¼ Cup seedless, diced fresh fruits
- 1 tablespoon fresh fruit compote or syrup
- 1 teaspoon honey
Museli Nuts Topping:
- 1 tablespoon cereal or muesli
- 1 teaspoon dried berries (cranberries, blueberries)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin, chia or melon seeds
Instructions
Pressure Cooker Method:
- Add broken wheat (dalia) to a pressure cooker. Turn on the heat. Dry roast the broken wheat for 2 – 3 minutes over low heat or till a subtle roasted aroma is released. You can skip this step if using pre roasted broken wheat.
- Add water, sugar (if adding), and stir to combine. Close the lid of the pressure cooker. Cook sweet dalia over low heat for two whistles. Turn off the heat. Release the steam manually.
- Open the lid and add milk, cinnamon or cardamom powder, and stir to combine. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Gently mash the sweet dalia using a spoon.
- Sweet Dalia is ready to serve. Transfer to a bowl and add toppings of your choice. Or keep it in the fridge overnight.
How To Add Toppings:
- Prepare porridge. Allow it to cool down completely. Transfer to the mason jars or bowls.
- Top each bowl or jar with a topping of your choice. Keep in the fridge overnight.
- Next day, enjoy for breakfast or carry with you to work place.
Recipe Notes:
- You can use pre-roasted broken wheat as well.
- All the toppings work well with both warm and chilled porridge.
- Preparing the porridge in advance and leaving it in the fridge overnight with toppings for a creamy, chilled dessert-like consistency is highly recommended.
- If the porridge seems too liquid, simmer it for a few minutes over low heat.
- Usually, it thickens a bit after cooling.
- You can use granulated white sugar or brown sugar as per taste. You can skip adding sugar as well.
Jayalakshmi Siva says
Looks delicious. Wil try definitely for my family
Hina Gujral says
I am glad you like it!
Arun says
4 cups milk for 1 cup of Dalia?
Hina Gujral says
Yes, dalia absorbs milk like anything when cooked in it. Plus this sweet dalia has a thick kheer-like consistency.