A Comprehensive Guide on How to Make Perfect Indian Rotis / Chapatis

If you're a fan of Indian cuisine like us, then you must know the staple of all Indian meals. Yes, we're talking about Roti or Chapati. These are not just a side or accompaniment to the main course; they are a wholesome meal. Nothing can match the taste and feel of freshly cooked and warm roti smeared with ghee or butter.

It has become such an integral part of our lives that many kind of Indian dish is unimaginable without rotis, including dal, curries, and tikkas. However, making this Indian flatbread perfectly can be tricky, especially if you've never done it before. But don't worry, we've got you covered!

There are many different Indian roti recipes based on flours, cooking methods, and flatbread recipes, each with a unique flavor and texture. But no matter the flour or recipes, they are packed with essential nutrients and are an excellent source of carbohydrates. In this blog, we'll walk you through the process of making roti step-by-step. We'll also share some tips on ensuring your roti always comes out perfectly. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe is easy to follow and will leave your taste buds wanting more. 

So, grab your ingredients, and let's get started on making this delicious and versatile flatbread, which is the pride of Indian cuisine!

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Ingredients Needed to Cook Perfect Rotis

Our favorite unleavened Indian flatbread or roti can be made with just a handful of ingredients – finely milled flour, water, ghee, or oil and salt. But the neat thing is that we only need flour and water to make perfect rotis. Water is needed to turn flour into dough, and salt or oil is sometimes added to give the roti a richer texture and enhance the flavors. We also have the freedom to choose any type of flour depending on our taste, dietary, and health preferences. While nothing beats the classic taste of wheat flour or atta roti, we can also use bajra or jowar flour to make rotis that regulate blood sugar, aid digestion, reduce cholesterol, and prevent certain cancers.

A Step-by-step Guide to Make Perfect Roti

 

Step 1: First, we have to mix the ingredients to prepare the dough. We start with a large mixing bowl and add 2 cups of wheat flour. Next, add 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of oil to the flour. Mix the ingredients well. Once the ingredients are mixed, slowly add 1 cup of water to the flour mixture and knead the dough. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth. 

 

 

Step 2:The most crucial step is to let the dough rest for a while for a better final product. Once the dough is smooth, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes. This resting period will help the gluten in the dough to relax, making it easier to be rolled into round chapatis later.

 

 

Step 3:Then, we divide the dough into evenly shaped balls. The size of the balls will depend on how big you want your rotis to be. It’s ideal to divide the dough into 10-12 equal-sized balls from a bowl full of dough. However, we suggest making small dough balls, which will be easier to roll without a rolling pin/belan.

 

 

Step 4: Then we roll the dough balls into chapatis using a rolling pin. Roll it out evenly, ensuring it is not too thick or too thin. The perfect thickness is about 1/8th of an inch. Once the roti is rolled out, put them onto a hot tawa (griddle) one at a time.

 

Step 5: This is the step in which we finally cook the roti. We let them cook for about 30 seconds on one side, then flip them over top of some oil and let them cook for another 30 seconds on the other side. After this, flip it over again and cook for another 15-20 seconds on each side. Keep flipping the roti and pressing it gently with a flat spatula until it puffs up.

 

Step 6: Once the roti is cooked perfectly, we remove it from the tawa using the spatula and serve it hot with our favorite curry or sabzi.

And there you have it, a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect Indian flatbread, aka rotis. Making rotis is not a difficult task, but it does require patience and practice. The more you make them, the better you'll get at it.

A video by Kabita’s kitchen showcasing how make soft rotis at home step by step

Tips, Tricks, and Mistakes to Avoid for perfect Rotis

Rotis are a staple food in many cultures and a healthier alternative to processed bread. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support digestion and overall health. However, making perfect rotis can be a challenging task, especially for beginners. In this article, we will share some tips, tricks, and mistakes to avoid for perfect rotis every time.

1. Use the right flour: The type of flour you use plays a crucial role in the texture and flavor of your rotis. For best results, use high-quality whole wheat flour that is fresh and free of lumps. Avoid using bleached or enriched flour as it can affect the taste and nutritional value of your rotis.

2. Measure the ingredients accurately: Accurate measurements of flour, water, and other ingredients are essential for making perfect rotis. Use measuring cups and spoons to ensure consistency in your recipe.

Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough properly is crucial for achieving the right texture and consistency of your rotis. Use warm water to knead the dough and add oil or ghee to make it soft and pliable. Knead the dough for at least 5-7 minutes to activate the gluten and make it smooth.

1. Rest the dough: After kneading the dough, let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and makes the dough easier to roll out.

2. Use a clean rolling board and rolling pin: A clean rolling board and rolling pin are essential for rolling out perfect rotis. Dust the rolling board with flour and roll out the dough evenly in a circular shape.

3. Keep the rotis of even thickness: Ensure that the rolled-out rotis are of even thickness throughout. This ensures that they cook evenly and puff up properly.

4. Cook the rotis on the right temperature: Cook the rotis on a preheated griddle or tawa on medium-high heat. Too low heat will make the rotis hard, and too high heat will burn them. Cook each side for about 30-40 seconds or until it puffs up.

5. Press the rotis with a clean cloth: After the rotis puff up, remove them from the heat and press them gently with a clean cloth or a spatula. This ensures that they are cooked evenly and become soft.

 

Rotimatic founders Pranoti Nagarkar and Rishi Israni showcase the art of making rotis from scratch  

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Over-kneading the dough can make the rotis hard and difficult to roll out.
2. Using cold water for kneading the dough can affect the texture and make it difficult to roll out.
3. Rolling out the dough too thin or too thick can affect the texture and cooking time of the rotis.
4. Cooking the rotis on low or high heat can affect the texture and flavor of the rotis.
5. Not pressing the rotis after cooking can result in hard and dry rotis.

 

Rotimatic - Your Guide for Perfect Rotis!

With Rotimatic, you can forget this tiring process of kneading the dough, rolling out the rotis, and constantly hovering over the tawa to put and take off the rotis at the perfect time. Our innovative kitchen appliance is the world's first robotic roti maker enabled by AI and IoT that automates the entire process, ensuring perfectly cooked and delicious rotis every time. Simply add the ingredients to the machine, and Rotimatic does the rest.

Rotimatic uses advanced technology to create the perfect rotis every time. It has an intuitive interface that allows users to customize their rotis according to their preferences like thickness, oil requirement and the number of rotis needed. You can also enjoy jowar, bajra and experiment with limitless types of rotis at just the press of a button. Not only rotis, you easily make puri, pizza, taco and so much more with the aid of Rotimatic. You can learn more about the tech behind this roti robot here.

Here is a video of how Rotimatic works

With its smart technology and user-friendly interface, Rotimatic is the perfect solution for busy families and urban homemakers who want to enjoy these freshly Indian flatbread without hassle. Plus, with a few variations of options to make different types and flavors of rotis, you can customize your perfect roti for any occasion. To enjoy hassle-free and innovative recipes for yourself or with friends and family.