Oats Chila Recipe

Oats chila is a simple and nutritious toddler food recipe. Oats are known to be one of the healthiest grains available, so feeding them to babies is a great idea. Oats chila for babies is a recipe that is easy to digest for little ones and keeps them full for longer. We have added chickpeas or besan to this recipe for babies to add flavour and taste. These can also be used as a tiffin snack recipe for kids and adults. If you have preschoolers, then this can be a quick breakfast recipe.

How to Make Oats Chilla?

Oats chilla is a simple dish that is ideal for toddlers and easy to prepare. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this healthy meal at home.

Cooking Time

Below is the total time required to prepare simple oats chila:

Cooking Method

Gas Stove

Type of Meals

Vegetarian

Suitable For

Babies 17 months or older

Meal Schedule 

Breakfast or snacks

Recipe Type

Snacks / Side-dish

Ingredients

Following are the ingredients to prepare homemade oats chila for babies.

Instructions

Here are the step-by-step directions to make homemade oats chila baby food recipe:

• Blend the rolled oats into a fine powder and empty into a bowl.
• Add besan to this bowl and mix properly.
• Add grated carrots(optional), turmeric powder and salt.
• Mix all the ingredients well.
• Add water to the mixture and keep stirring to ensure no lumps.
• Heat a non-stick pan and pour the prepared batter into it with the help of a ladle.
• Spread the poured batter with the back of the ladle in a circular motion.
• Apply oil to the edges, and once done, flip it onto the other side to cook.
• Visible brown spots indicate that the chila is fully cooked.
• Oats chila for babies is now ready to be served.

Recipe Tips

Here are some tips on how to make the simple oats chilla recipe for babies healthy and yummy at the same time:

• Rolled oats should be powdered finely. Otherwise, the batter will lack consistency and cannot spread properly.
• The batter should be spread on the pan only once it is hot; otherwise, it will stick to the pan.
• The chila should not be made too crispy as that would make it difficult for the baby to chew.
• Remember to spread oil on the edges of the chila to avoid having the chila stick to the pan.
• Cook it on medium flame as high flame might result in chila staying uncooked from the inside despite visible brown spots on the outside.

Nutrition Information (Per 100 g)

The table below gives the nutritional value of oats chila:

Health Benefits

This easy-to-make oats chila comes with numerous health benefits for your babies. Below are some of them

• Oats are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (2).
• Oats contain more proteins and fats than most of the grains (1).
• Turmeric used in the recipe is known to be a natural antiseptic (5).
• Desi ghee provides energy and helps in the brain development of growing babies (4).
• Besan has many proteins and good fats and helps relieve constipation.
• Besan also helps improve the body’s metabolism and contains blood-building nutrients (3).
• Aside from being loaded with vitamins and nutrients, oats are also super filling, satisfying and versatile.

Buying Guide

Here are some points to be remembered while buying ingredients for oats chila for babies:

• Rolled oats should be of good quality.
• Use organic turmeric, if possible, and powder it at home to ensure you provide all the nutrients your baby needs.
• Besan should be good quality, preferably organic.

FAQs

1. Can oats chila be made without chickpea flour?

If you don’t have chickpea flour, you can substitute it with whole wheat flour or rice flour. The texture may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious and nutritious.

2. Can I prepare the batter in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the oats chila batter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Stir well before using, as the ingredients may settle.

3. What are some variations of the oats cheela recipe I can try?

Try adding finely chopped onions, tomatoes, or bell peppers. For a protein boost, mix in some crumbled paneer or tofu. You can also make a sweet version by adding mashed bananas and a pinch of cinnamon.

Oats chila is a versatile and nutritious dish that caters to the dietary needs of toddlers, kids, and adults alike. Its simplicity and health benefits make it an excellent choice for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or even a light meal. Try out this recipe today and experience the delightful blend of taste and nutrition that oats chila brings.

References/Resources:

1. Paudel. D, Dhungana. B, Caffe. M, Krishnan. P; A Review of Health-Beneficial Properties of Oats; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8625765/

2. Oats; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/oats/

3. Begum. N, Khan. Q. U, Liu. L. G, et al.; Nutritional composition, health benefits and bio-active compounds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.); PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10580981/

4. Kataria. D, Singh. G; Health benefits of ghee: Review of Ayurveda and modern science perspectives; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10789628/

5. Restivo. J; Turmeric benefits: A look at the evidence; Harvard Health Publishing; https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/turmeric-benefits-a-look-at-the-evidence; March 2024

Also Read:

Lauki Oats Besan Chila Recipe
Besan Chilla/Besan Omelette Recipe
Besan Jowar Coriander Chila Recipe
Multigrain Cheela Recipe for Babies and Toddlers