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4.43 from 7 votes
A basket full of traditional Indian roti.
Traditional Indian Roti Recipe
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
 

Master our Traditional Indian Roti Recipe for a simple, authentic Indian whole wheat flatbread, pairing well with spicy food and many meals!

Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8 roti
Author: Ami Shukla
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (5oz/142g) atta flour or white whole wheat flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 5-7 tablespoons water
  • ¼ cup (2oz/57g) butter or ghee (melted)
Instructions
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt, then add the oil and rub into the flour until combined.

  2. Add 5 tablespoons of water and knead to form a dough. If the dough seems too firm or crumbly, add more water one teaspoon at a time until you achieve a soft but not sticky dough. Cover the dough and let rest for 15 minutes.

  3. When ready to cook, heat a large, handled skillet over medium heat. Place a wire rack next to the stove and keep a bowl with the melted butter or ghee and a pastry brush nearby.

  4. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it into a disc.

  5. Working with one disc at a time, on a floured surface, roll the dough into a thin, even circle, about 6 inches (15cm). While rolling, check often that the dough isn’t sticking and more flour accordingly.

  6. Place the rolled-out dough on the hot, dry skillet and cook for about a minute, until you see a few bubbles forming on the surface.

  7. With some tongs, flip the roti and cook the other side for about 30 seconds.

  8. Carefully lift the skillet off the flame and with tongs, place the less cooked side of the roti directly on the flame until it starts to puff up (just a few seconds). Move the roti a bit over the flame so that one spot does not get too hot and burn.

  9. Using the tongs, flip the roti and cook the other side on the flame for another few seconds, then transfer the roti to the wire rack.

  10. Immediately brush the roti lightly with ghee or butter. Repeat with the remaining dough, stacking the rotis on top of each other to keep them warm and soft.

  11. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or on a dry skillet over low heat.

Recipe Notes
  • If you can’t find atta or white whole wheat flour, you can try making this with regular whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, or even all-purpose flour. Each flour will give you slightly different results but will still be delicious.
  • When cooking the rotis, you have to move quickly, so they don’t over-brown. You want soft, not crunchy rotis. Adjust your heat to lower or higher, depending on your stove.
  • Sometimes the roti will only puff up part of the way or not at all — this is okay. Just continue with the cooking method and once the roti is on the open flame, move it around the flame so it doesn’t burn.
  • If the roti doesn’t puff up, it is usually caused by uneven rolling – the rolling is a technique that just takes practice. Don’t give up!
  • This recipe can be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
  • For first-time roti makers, this is a nice shared project: one person does the rolling while the other does the cooking.