Easy Roti Recipe: How to make soft chapati?

Make these soft chapati roti recipes – a simple, flatbread with only three ingredients to pair with all your favorite everyday dishes!

Roti is the equivalent of sliced white bread. It is the everyday flatbread made fresh with every meal, and can be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

There is no better comfort food than a freshly rolled roti, hot off the tawa. If you have nothing to go with the roti, sprinkle a little sugar and roll it up for the best snack ever!

Traditionally, in many households, roti will be made hot and served fresh. It is served on the side of meals daily, whether it is a simple Daal (Lentil Curry), or even a simple meat curry, like Karahi Chicken.

Each person and household will swear by their ratios and brand of chapati atta (flour) that make their rotis the best! There are only a few ingredients in roti. The technique is most important, and it does take a little practice to make soft chapati.

Looking for more Indian Flatbread recipes?

• Homemade Naan / Tandoori Roti: Easy, Fluffy Flatbread
• Masala Roti: Easy Soft & Spicy Flatbread
• Sweet Potato Paratha: Flatbread Stuffed with Sweet Potatoes
• Puri – Puffy Deep-Fried Bread
• Lachha Paratha: How to make flaky plain Paratha?
• Aloo Paratha: Potato Stuffed Flatbread

Chapati Roti Ingredients

• Chapati or Roti Atta – Roti atta is a specific type of flour found in Indian/Pakistani stores, made with stone-ground whole wheat flour. It is possible to approximate it by making a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flours.
• Oil / Ghee – There is a little oil in the dough – you can use any type – typically vegetable oil or canola oil works best. When finishing the roti on the stove, we typically add ghee, but if you’re trying to keep this recipe vegan, then use oil
• Water – Make sure to use lukewarm water for this roti recipe for best results.

How to make Roti?

Make the Roti Dough & Rest

In the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, add flour and salt.

Make a well in the center and add in enough water to form a dough. Start with a 1/2 cup, and add more if needed.

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Knead well, until the dough forms a smooth ball. Test by poking the dough, there should not be a lot of resistance, and the indent should stay.

Add 2 tablespoons of oil and knead it into the dough until fully incorporated.

Cover, and set aside for 20-30 minutes.

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Portion and roll out the dough

When ready to make the roti, knead the dough. Then divide it into equal pieces, about the size of tennis balls, and flatten each piece.

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Sprinkle some flour on the countertop, and roll out one ball of dough, about 6-8 inches in diameter. Use light, even pressure, and make sure the circle is evenly thick.

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Cook the roti

Preheat a frying pan, cast iron skillet, or a tawa on medium-high heat.

Dust off the excess flour and place the roti on the heated pan. Cook the roti for 1-2 minutes. Once bubbles form, flip the roti and let the other side cook for a minute. The roti will puff up if it was evenly rolled.

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Transfer to a plate lined with a dishtowel. Spread some ghee or oil on top, and cover to keep warm.

Repeat for remaining balls of dough.

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Tips for Soft Chapati Roti

There are only a few ingredients in chapati roti. To make soft chapati roti is all about practicing your technique and focusing on how the dough feels.

Here are a few tips to help you make soft chapati roti.

• Use enough lukewarm water – When kneading the dough make sure that there is enough water in your dough. The dough should be soft and pliable before you add oil. Adding lukewarm water helps to hydrate the dough easily.
• Knead the dough – Make sure to knead the dough until it is smooth, with not a lot of cracks when you try to form a ball.
• Test the dough – Test by poking the dough, there should not be a lot of resistance, and the spot you test should stay indented
• Rest the dough – It is important to let the dough rest before rolling it out – it helps hydrate the flour and makes it easier to roll the roti.
• Use a hot skillet – Using a hot pan means that the roti will cook faster, and not be overcooked.

What to serve with Chapati Roti?

There is no better comfort food than a freshly rolled roti, hot off the tawa. If you have nothing to go with the roti, sprinkle a little sugar and roll it up for the best snack ever!

Here are some of our favorite easy weeknight curries to enjoy with fresh roti:

• Keema Aloo: Ground Beef & Potato Curry
• Aloo Gobi – Pakistani Cauliflower and Potato Curry
• Pakora Kadhi: Yogurt Curry with Fritters
• Bhindi Masala
• Palak Chicken: Chicken and Spinach Curry