Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (2024)

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Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast are a true dose of British nostalgia.

So many British homes, notably South Asian ones have their own take on curried baked beans, and mine is no different.

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (1)

I cook my baked beans with ghee, cumin seeds and a liberal heap of homemade garam masala.

These spicy, buttery beans are then slathered onto toast, topped with Cheddar and grilled until gooey and bubbling.

It’s the kind of food I will eat any time of the day!

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Make ultimate Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast

  • It’s ready in under 30 minutes
  • Uses only a handful of ingredients
  • A great vegetarian comfort food
  • Easy to make vegan and gluten-free versions
  • Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack!

How to make Masala Baked Beans

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (3)

The most important part! I learnt to make Masala Baked Beans with my mum, who would always start with a dollop of ghee melting in a pan.

Cumin seeds, onions, chillies and a handful of ground spices would always follow.

This recipe is my ode to her version, which we would eat with buttered Gujarati Rotli.

She would often fold in small cubes of ghee-fried potatoes which of course, were a welcome addition.

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (4)

Instructions

Printable recipe card below

  1. Heat one tablespoon of ghee in a saucepan. Add one teaspoon whole cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for 30 seconds before adding in one chopped red onion.
  2. Sauté for 2 minutes and then add one or two sliced chillies. Cook for 30 seconds more.
  3. Lower the heat and add in one teaspoon of homemade garam masala, turmeric, fresh coriander, and a 400g tin of baked beans.
  4. Stir well to combine and then simmer the curried baked beans over a low heat for 2 minutes.

    Don’t cook it too long or the beans will dry out. If this happens, adjust the consistency with a little bit of water. Taste to check the seasoning.

Assemble the beans on toast with cheese

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  1. Toast up your bread, slater with the hot baked beans, top with chopped red onions, chillies and cheese. Grill the toasts until the cheese has melted and turned golden.

    I don’t butter my toast because the beans are cooked with ghee, but feel free to spread butter on your toast prior to adding the beans if you like.

  2. Slice into triangles and serve immediately.
Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (6)

Beans on toast with a twist! 6 new topping ideas for beans on toast

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Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (7)

How to make Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast | Recipe card

Yield: 2 toasts

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (8)

A cheesy dose of British nostalgia, Desified. Almost every British South Asian home has its' own take on curried baked beans. I cook mine with ghee, cumin seeds and a liberal heap of garam masala. These spicy, buttery beans are then slathered onto toast, topped with Cheddar and grilled until gooey and bubbling.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 slices toast (I use white sourdough)
  • 1 x 400g tin baked beans
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 medium-sized red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chilli, finely sliced on the bias
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1-2 tsp fresh coriander leaves and stalks

For topping the toasts

  • 75g Cheddar, grated
  • 75g Red Leicester, grated
  • 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 green or red chillies, finely sliced on the bias
  • 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
  • 2 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

Instructions

  1. Melt the ghee in a saucepan. Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for 30 seconds before adding in the chopped onions. Sauté for 2 minutes and then add the sliced chillies. Cook for 30 seconds more.
  2. Lower the heat and add in the garam masala, turmeric, fresh coriander, and baked beans. Stir well to combine and then simmer over a low heat for 2 minutes. Don't cook it too long or the beans will dry out. If this happens, adjust the consistency with a little bit of water. Taste to check the seasoning. I find my favourite brand of baked beans (Branston) have enough salt and sugar for my taste, but if you feel like they need more, add some in.
  3. Toast up your bread, slater with the hot baked beans, top with chopped red onions, chillies and cheese. Grill the toasts until the cheese has melted and turned golden. I don't butter my toast because the beans are cooked with ghee, but feel free to spread butter on your toast prior to adding the beans if you like.
  4. Slice into triangles and serve immediately.

Notes

  • I do not recommend freezing the cooked toasts.
  • If you want to make the beans ahead of time, keep them refrigerated inside an airtight container for up to 2 days. Assemble the toasts immediately before serving.
  • Vegan option
  • Swap the ghee in the beans for oil or vegan butter. Use your favourite vegan cheese for the topping.
  • Gluten free option
  • Simply use gluten-free bread for your toast.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 504Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 1056mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 11gSugar: 22gProtein: 22g

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If you like Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast, you’ll love my recipe for Masala Cheese Scones

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Love Sanjana

Cheesy Masala Beans on Toast - Indian Breakfast Recipes - Sanjana.Feasts (2024)

FAQs

Is beans on toast OK for breakfast? ›

Individuals wanting to lose weight should start regularly eating beans on toast, academics have said. Researchers from the Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes have found that the resistant starch in Heinz baked beans and the wholegrains in brown bread are good for weight loss.

What to eat with beans on toast? ›

It's perfectly satisfying for any meal of the day! For breakfast, try serving with a fried egg (if not vegan), shiitake mushroom “bacon”, vegan sausages, and/or fresh fruit. Or for lunch or dinner, swap out the toast for a baked potato (or sweet potato) and serve with a simple green salad.

How to include beans in breakfast? ›

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Mar 25, 2021

What countries eat beans and toast? ›

United Kingdom: Baked Beans on toast – haricot beans in tomato sauce. Belgium: Speculoos – biscuit flavoured butter (it's also fast becoming a firm favourite across the rest of the world thanks to a certain brand). France: French toast – egg soaked bread that's pan fried (not strictly French, we know).

Why do British people eat beans on toast for breakfast? ›

tif. Beans and toast is a breakfast tradition in the UK (it's both adored and loathed) that has stood the test of time. The story goes that in 1927 an executive at Heinz decided to create a national dish in order to sell more canned beans and an iconic dish was born.

Are beans on toast with cheese healthy? ›

It can form part of a healthy diet — even though both components are technically ultra-processed foods, Along with fish fingers, wholegrain cereals and fruit yoghurts, the BNF insisted that beans on toast is a source of 'important nutrients', as well as being 'convenient and affordable'.

How to pimp up beans on toast? ›

Heat half a tin of your favourite baked beans in a pan, add a generous desert spoon of Calder's Kitchen Spicy Tomato Chutney, stir in on a low heat and service on a halved slice of buttered toast. Serve with a sprinkling of the cheese of your choice.

How to make beans more interesting? ›

Stir through your favourite chilli sauce, crushed chilli flakes or sliced red chilli for a spicy kick, add a few spoonfuls of barbecue sauce for a sweet, smoky finish, or try a little bit of Worcestershire sauce and horseradish for some bloody Mary flavour.

Is beans on toast good for your heart? ›

Including beans and pulses in your diet is also associated with a lower cardiovascular risk and may help balance blood sugar levels. Shop-bought baked beans (canned in tomato sauce) are a quick, easy and cost-effective snack or component of a meal, but don't forget they have added ingredients including salt and sugar.

What cultures eat beans for breakfast? ›

Africa, too, has bean-based breakfasts.

In Egypt, ful medames (cooked fava beans flavored with bold spices and sesame tahini) is a popular breakfast dish.

Can you eat beans for breakfast everyday? ›

I could start my day with that every day. Yes, eating beans more than once a week is a good idea. Beans are a great plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals source. They are also low in fat and calories, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Is it good to eat beans and eggs together? ›

It'll provide the nutrient boost you need, lots of protein to get you going and their tastes and textures complement one another. This is a super simple meal you can prepare in 5 minutes. Play with this combination. You can do almost anything anyway you want with these two ingredients.

Do Americans eat beans on toast? ›

Beans on Toast

While Americans certainly like eating beans of all varieties the traditional British canned baked beans are not as popular. Americans do eat what the British would call baked beans, but they do not have them served on toast and find the concept very strange.

Which country eats most beans? ›

India currently leads the world in beans consumption, with 5,600 thousand metric tons in 2021.

Is beans on toast a meal or a snack? ›

As a late-night snack, a light supper or even a quick snack, beans on toast makes an ideal comforting meal when what you need is something warm in your stomach. Another excellent reason to love this simple, hearty dish is that it is very gentle on the wallet.

Is it OK to have toast for breakfast? ›

It's important to understand that toast is not automatically an unhealthy breakfast choice. By selecting whole-grain bread and pairing it with nutrient-dense toppings, toast can become a well-rounded option full of health benefits. The key lies in good ingredient selection.

Is beans on toast a substantial meal? ›

However, baked beans on toast is a popular meal in some countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a simple, quick, and filling meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Are beans on toast good for cholesterol? ›

Baked beans on wholemeal toast or on a baked potato can therefore make a great cholesterol-lowering meal (as long as you don't add any butter or cheese!). It's best to choose the low sugar and salt varieties, or you could even make your own (see recipe here).

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