Masala Bread | Easy Bread Masala

As much as we use bread as it is, in our daily lives, so do we use it to make the most sumptuous varieties of Bread Snacks too. Our lives cannot really be imagined without bread being an integral part of our everyday meals. So, here’s a fuss-free snack recipe made with bread – the Masala Bread. This Bread Masala is one of the easiest, quickest and yummiest snacks that you can made with bread slices. This version is spicy and I make it in a similar way I make the Bread Upma, which is made with fewer spices and herbs.

About Masala Bread

So, what exactly is this Masala Bread? Simply put, the Hindi word ‘masala’ when used in a dish, means a ‘spiced mixture.’ In this particular recipe, the masala is a spicy onion-tomato mixture. And when you toss some bread cubes in it, you get the Bread Masala ready in a matter of minutes.

Most of the time that goes into making this Masala Bread is in sautéing the onion-tomato mixture. Other than that, the recipe is actually a cakewalk!

You really don’t have to stress over the ingredients too, as all of them are the basic ones from your Indian home pantry.

Once you have all the ingredients ready and done with the slicing of the bread into small cubes too, just follow the recipe to make a quick, easy and delicious Bread Masala – that would be the best snack to beat those sudden hunger pangs. This dish is quite filling too. So, you can have it in breakfast or brunch as well.

In addition to the bread slices, onion and tomato, other ingredients that are a part of this Masala Bread recipe are ginger-garlic paste, green chili, coriander leaves and ground spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder.

I also add some crushed dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) and drizzle some lemon juice on the Bread Masala, while serving. These also elevate the flavors in the dish. You can choose to skip these as well.

About My Recipe

Like I mentioned earlier, to make Masala Bread, a base of onion-tomatoes and spices is made first. The bread cubes are then mixed with this masala base. As a result, the bread cubes get coated with this spicy, tangy masala and result in heavenly flavors.

Usually, we prefer masala-soaked soft bread cubes at home. But you can cook the bread for more time and get a crisp and toasted texture on the bread for this Bread Masala.

You can also adjust the quantity of green chilies and the spice powders according to the level of spiciness you want in this dish.

As a healthier alternative, you can substitute the regular white bread with Wheat Bread or multi-grain bread too.

In this Masala Bread recipe, you can also use pav (dinner rolls) instead of bread. Pav Bhaji Masala can be added instead of Garam Masala Powder. If using pav bhaji masala, then you can also add some finely chopped capsicum (green bell pepper) along with the tomatoes.

Since making Bread Masala does not take a lot of time and gets done quickly, you can serve it as a quick snack for unexpected guests or friends.

It can also be served as an after-school snack for kids. If making for kids, skip the green chilies and red chili powder and reduce the garam masala powder.

How to make Masala Bread

Prep Bread and Make Onion Tomato Masala

1. Firstly, cut 5 to 6 small to medium sized bread slices into small cubes. Keep aside.

2. Finely chop 1 medium onion, 2 medium tomatoes and 1 green chili.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan and add 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste.

You could also opt to use 2 tablespoons butter instead of oil.

4. Sauté for some seconds or till raw aroma of both ginger and garlic goes away.

5. Add ⅓ cup chopped onions.

6. Mix and then begin to sauté onions on low to medium heat.

7. Sauté onions till translucent.

8. Keep the heat to a low and add the following spice powders: 

• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder 
• ½ teaspoon garam masala powder

9. Mix well on low heat, taking care that the spices do not burn.

10. Now, add ½ cup tightly packed finely chopped tomatoes.

11. Add chopped green chili.

12. Mix well.

13. Season with salt as per taste. Add less salt as bread also has salt.

14. Mix again.

15. Sauté tomatoes till they turn pulpy and soft. You should also see oil releasing from the sides of the onion-tomato masala.

Add a few tablespoons of water, if the tomatoes stick to the pan.

16. When the tomatoes have softened and become mushy, add 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves and 1 to 2 pinches crushed dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi).

Kasuri methi can be skipped, if you don’t have it.

17. Mix again.

Make Masala Bread

18. Add the bread cubes.

19. Mix bread cubes very well with the onion-tomato masala and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

For a crispy texture in the bread, you can sauté for some more time, stirring at intervals, on low to medium-low heat.

20. Serve Masala Bread hot or warm. While serving Bread Masala, drizzle some lemon juice on top. You can even garnish with some chopped coriander leaves.

Expert Tips

1. Any variety of bread or pav (dinner rolls) can be used in this recipe.
2. Make sure to take care of the quantity of salt you add in this dish. Since, the bread also has salt in it, it is best to keep it low in the dish. Adjust later, if required.
3. While sautéing the onion-tomato masala, if it is sticking at the bottom of the pan, then splash some water in it and then continue to sauté.
4. If you wish to use pav bhaji masala in place of garam masala powder, you can do that too. In this case, you can add some capsicum too in the masala base.
5. You can make this dish without the dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) and lemon juice.
6. If you like the bread cubes to be crisp in the dish, then sauté for some more time on low to medium-low heat. Keep stirring at intervals.

This Masala Bread recipe from the archives, originally published in January 2018 has been updated and republished on February 2023.