Learn how to make soft Roti or Chapati, the famous Indian bread staple for North India. But later, it became the everyday food for the rest of India.
Over the past few decades, doctors advised including wheat and rice. Roti is a fiber-rich food and has to be served with spicy gravy and curry.
This soft roti is our dinner dish I make almost every other day. This Indian food recipe is straightforward, and the ingredients are minimal and almost available in all kitchens across the globe. The elements are universal, and everyone can get them from the stores.
How do you make soft roti? The process and ingredient list sound very simple. But getting soft roti is not easy; it needs lots of practice and tips.
I do not want to threaten you much about getting the right results. We are here, and you can make the softest roti in the world with the tips and secrets shared in this post.
What is Roti?
Roti, or chapati, is an unleavened flatbread made with whole wheat flour. Generally made with whole wheat flour called 'Aata' locally in India. To say precisely, it is called chapati in South India.
What does this taste like?
This roti is plain and does not have a strong flavor. It tastes plain, like a thin wheat tortilla bread. But these are very soft and melt in your mouth. Since the roti bread recipe is basic and subtle, any spicy curry or gravy would be the perfect pair to serve with.
How to make soft roti with modern equipment
A simple homemade roti recipe does not need fancy equipment. How to make soft roti? You need a rolling pin, a baseboard, and a pan. But if your wallet permits, some excellent equipment is available now to ease the making of soft roti.
I know a friend who makes the roti dough in a Kitchen Aid mixer and stores it for a week. A food processor is also a good machine for kneading the dough.
Tortilla press or Indian roti maker is famous for pressing dough-like circles.
Make-ahead idea
You may knead the dough well in advance. Generally, resting the dough from 30 minutes to 2 hours makes the roti soft.
If you want to make it ahead, knead the dough well, coat it with a teaspoon of cooking oil, and cover it with a clean cotton kitchen towel.
Applying cooking oil and covering the dough with a kitchen towel helps retain its moisture content, making it pliable while spreading.
Storing ideas
You can also make roti well in advance for up to 3 days before the day of serving. To store, always use an airtight container and cover the roti with a soft cloth to trap the moisture.
You can store hot packs of casseroles for a day or leave them on the kitchen counter for single-day use.
Can we keep chapati in the fridge?
Yes, You may refrigerate roti to use for up to 4 days. To store for over a day, use freezer-friendly zip lock covers, glass containers, and other food-grade plastic containers. And freeze it to use for up to 3 months.
How to reheat roti?
You cannot reheat the roti like you do other food dishes. However, you may use the stovetop, oven, or microwave method to reheat it. Thaw the roti before reheating, or adjust the temperature and time described below.
Stovetop
Heat a flat-surfaced pan on the stovetop. Place a single roti, sprinkle a few drops of water, and flip it to the other side. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the other side as well. Use a water sprayer for best results. Follow this procedure for the remaining roti.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit when using the range for reheating. Use the sheet pan, and place each roti with a gap between them. Cook for about approximately 2 minutes or until it gets cooked thoroughly.
Microwave
This method is suitable for immediate consumption. Otherwise, the microwave makes the roti hard and chewy.
Why is my roti so hard?
The thickness of the dough makes the roti harder. So, how can you make soft roti? The dough is easily pliable. You can test the dough before spreading it.
To test, take a small lemon-sized portion of dough. And keep it between your palms. Try rolling them to make balls. You should make the ball, look into it.
- The dough is thicker if the ball is not uniform or has cracks on the sides. Then, sprinkle a little water on the remaining dough and start kneading.
- If the dough sticks between the hands, then the dough is watery. To solve this, sprinkle whole wheat flour at a time and start kneading again.
How do you keep Rotis soft?
To keep the roti soft for a longer time, always store them in an airtight container by covering them with a kitchen cloth, cheesecloth, or cotton towel. This traps the moisture created while storing and makes the chapati softer. You may also apply clarified butter to store the roti longer. And this is the traditional way that has been followed for a century.
Why are my chapatis chewy?
The quality of whole wheat flour decides the texture of the roti. So, always use good quality ingredients to get better results. Alternatively, chapatis become chewy when not stored correctly or made properly. Follow all the tips we discussed here for making and storing the roti soft like soft tissue.
Which Atta is good for health?
'Atta' is whole wheat flour, a staple food of North India for thousands of years. This denotes that it is good for health. So, the answer to how to make soft roti would be to use whole wheat flour. When buying whole wheat flour, make sure the package says it is 100% whole wheat flour.
I wish to know my favorite sides for hot roti. Try these recipes: Malai Kofta, Bindi Masala, and Aloo Palak
Other spicy dinner recipes
Printable recipe card
How to make soft Roti
Ingredients
- 11/2 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt or as required
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix wheat flour, salt, and water. Add water little by little, as it should get watery.
- Mix it with water and knead it well till it becomes a soft smooth round ball, which should not stick to the sides of the vessel.
- Make into small balls approximately to the 2 inches in diameter.
- With the help of rolling pin, spread it gently into a thin flat circle.
- Heat a flat surface pan on the stove. And place wheat thin on the hot pan.
- Cook both the side until brown spots visible.
- Drizzle a teaspoon of cooking oil on both the sides of the roti.
- Serve roti hot.
Notes
2. Stuff some dry, cooked veggies, sprinkle some tomato sauce and serve as a roll for the kiddos.
Nutrition
Do not forget to check out another side dish recipe for roti, potato Kurma here in PepperBowl
Tips and Variations for how to make soft roti:
1. Add mashed potatoes or avocados, chili powder, and cumin powder for parathas.
2. The dough should be soft and not watery. Leave them for 30min -45min for softer chapatis.
3. Add lukewarm water for kneading; it brings out much softer chapatis.
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Saif
I love roti. When I ordered indian foods in a restaurant, I always make sure that I include Roti in my dish. It's so delicious which is a must try.
Jac
Oh perfect! This is just what I need as I am making Dahl tonight
Kate
This soft roti was so good, and so quick!
Dannii
This was perfectly soft. Perfect for scooping up curry.
Chenee
Thank you so much for the tips! I'm excited to try this one out!