3 Easy Tips on How To Make Soft Rotis

Roti is an unleavened flatbread requiring minimal ingredients and equipment to make the perfect edible tool for mopping up a luscious curry. As easy as it sounds, not all soft roti recipes were created equally. This recipe shares three easy tips on how to make soft roti every time! Also known as chapati, this tortilla-like flatbread was mostly served with sugar bean or kidney bean curry in my childhood home in South Africa. We did not eat roti very often, if we did it was usually on Mondays (our primary day of abstinence from meat) or cold rainy days when Amma could not be out in the garden -therefore having time to make roti. Returning home from school on such days, we were often met with Amma’s soft roti rolls filled with butter and jam as tea-time treats. These days I make roti with my son, who loves to have them with cinnamon. And so our new tradition of how to eat soft roti was born.

How To Make Soft Roti Like Amma Used to Make It

Amma’s roti or handmade bread as she called it, was the best roti I’ve ever had. It comes out perfect every time. It is light, flaky and not greasy. Amma used to say  “Roti should be soft yet flaky that one should peel and eat it”. No roti-making machines or special cookers are needed for this recipe. Since first publishing this recipe way back in August 2011, it has been one of my most popular recipes made all over the world! It has been mentioned in the South African Sunday Times! 

“For one of the best recipes you’ll stumble across, just Google ”How to make soft roti – food like Amma used to make it” – Andrea Burgener

To make soft Roti like Amma used to make, you will need flour, hot water (just boiled), vegetable oil, a tablespoon of melted butter or ghee, a rolling pin and a thawa or heavy-based frying pan. I don’t own a thawa- a non-stick frying pan works just as well. 

3 Tips to Make Soft Roti

The secret to Amma’s soft roti was threefold – her ingredient ratios, the resting time of the dough and her rolling and cooking technique.

• Use Boiling Water: First off, she used “boiling water“, water taken from the kettle as soon as it boiled. I mean this literally! As soon as the water boils, pour directly into the flour. The boiling water reacts with flour, breaking down gluten bonds to create a soft roti dough and the softest roti ever!
• Allow the Dough to Rest: Once a soft dough forms, cover and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes.
• Cooking Technique: Apart from this ‘secret technique’  Amma had strict rules for cooking the roti – “The first side must be half cooked-then turn-then cook-then once more to cook fully. The bread must come up otherwise it won’t be cooked properly and make sure you press the sides”. The pan should also be hot otherwise you end up with hard rotis. Simply put, place the roti on a heated pan for a minute or two, and flip. Cook for 2-3 minutes then flip again.

Ingredients for Making Soft Roti
 

To make the best soft roti, you will need the following ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Flour (Atta): The main ingredient for roti is whole wheat flour, which gives it its characteristic texture and flavour.
• Substitutes: All-Purpose Flour: If whole wheat flour is not available, you can use all-purpose flour (maida) as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the texture and taste of the roti will be slightly different.
• Gluten-Free Flour: For those with gluten intolerance, you can use gluten-free flour such as rice flour, millet flour, or chickpea flour to make gluten-free rotis. These flours may require different proportions of water and may not yield the same softness as regular rotis.
• Water: Water is used to knead the dough and make it pliable. The amount of water required may vary based on the quality of the flour.
• Salt: A small amount of salt is added to enhance the taste of the roti.
• Oil or Ghee: Adding a little oil or ghee to the dough helps in making the roti soft and pliable. It also adds flavour.
• Substitutes: Dairy-Free Substitutes: Instead of ghee, you can use vegetable oil or vegan butter as a substitute for a dairy-free version of roti.
• Please note that while these substitutes can be used, they may alter the taste, texture, and overall quality of the roti compared to traditional whole wheat rotis. It’s always best to use the recommended ingredients for the most authentic results.

Tools for Making Soft Roti

• rolling pin or clean bottle (I’ve often used it when on holiday)
• mixing bowl
• tablespoon
• thawa (heavy-based cast iron pan) or non-stick frying pan or shallow pot 

Step-by-Step Method for Making Soft Roti

How to Make Round Roti

1. After following the steps in the slideshow above, take one of the cut pieces, stand upright then press down with your hand this will create a circle when flattened.
2. Dust your hands with flour then work this small circle into a round shape then place it onto the worktop and roll it into a flat round disc. Make sure the roti is rolled as flat as possible. Thick rotis take longer to cook and are often too heavy to rise resulting in uncooked tasteless roti.
   

How to Cook Soft Roti

To cook your soft roti simply place it on the hot preheated pan (the pan should be hot). The cooking process for each roti should be 1 minute. Allow the roti to cook for 5-10 seconds before turning it over. On the second side allow cooking for a little longer, pressing the sides with your fingers to ensure it cooks.

Once the roti rises or you see bubbles form turn the roti. Careful not to burn your fingers as this can be quite hot, use a spatula if you like.

Once you have golden brown spots then the roti is cooked. Remove from stove then repeat this process for all remaining roti. Once all are cooked cover them with a piece of paper towel or dishcloth, this will keep the moisture in keeping the roti soft until you are ready to serve them.

To reheat roti simply place the roti on a heated pan for a minute or two on each side until warmed.

I don’t add melted butter to the cooked roti because I don’t like the greasy texture and don’t think it is necessary- if you follow this recipe the roti should be soft enough to be enjoyed without excess butter. If you do prefer your roti with butter then simply spread a little melted butter or ghee onto your roti before removing it from the stove. Cover the cooked roti with a clean cloth or kitchen towel. This helps keep the roti soft and warm until served

To reheat roti simply place the roti on a heated pan for a minute or two on each side until warmed.

Easy Soft Roti Recipe

Easy Soft Roti Recipe

4 from 18 votes

Recipe by Ms. Pillay Course: BreadCuisine: Indian

Servings

12

Rotis

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

US Metric

• 2 cups 2 flour

• 1 cup 1 hot water (just after it reaches boiling point)

• 1 tablespoon 1 vegetable oil or olive oil

• 1 teaspoon 1 salt

• 1/2 cup 1/2 flour for dusting the work surface

• 2 tablespoons 2 melted butter or ghee

Directions

• Mixing the Roti Dough
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the oil (omit the oil if you prefer roti without oil).
• Gradually add hot water to the flour while mixing it with a spoon until it is cool enough to use your hands.
• Continue kneading the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and pliable. If the dough feels dry, add a little more water, and if it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.
• Once the dough is ready, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 20 minutes. This will make the rotis softer.
• Shaping the Rotis
• After resting, divide the dough into small portions and roll them into 3 balls.
• Apply flour to the work surface to prevent sticking. Take one dough ball and flatten it. Then roll flat. Apply some butter then roll into a log form. Cut into equal parts. Repeat this process until all three balls have been rolled into a log form and cut.
• Take each of the cut pieces. Stand upright then flatten with hand. Roll round using a rolling pin. Roll until 6-8 inches in diameter. Apply gentle pressure while rolling to maintain an even thickness. Repeat until all rotis have been rolled out.
• Cooking the Rotis
• Heat a tawa or a flat griddle over medium-high heat.
• Once the tawa is hot, place a rolled roti on it and let it cook for about 20-30 seconds or until small bubbles start to appear on the surface.
• Flip the roti and let it cook for another 20-30 seconds. During this time, you can press the edges of the roti gently with a clean cloth or spatula to help it puff up.
• Flip the roti again and cook for a few more seconds, pressing lightly with the cloth or spatula to ensure even cooking.
• Remove the roti from the tawa and transfer it to a plate. Optionally, apply a small amount of ghee or oil on top to keep them soft and prevent sticking.
• Enjoy your homemade soft rotis!

Recipe Video

Notes

• The secret to the success of this recipe is boiling water (literally as soon as the water boils), and pour it into the mixing bowl with the flour and other ingredients.
• The oil is optional. If you prefer roti without oil, simply omit it from the recipe.

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2 Delicious Ways to Serve Your Soft Roti

My two favourite serving suggestions are Roti rolls, which remind me of  Bean and Chip ones from late-night work at uni and my absolute favourite, Amma’s Sugar Beans Curry and Roti!

Soft Roti FAQ

Why my roti is never soft?

If you’ve asked yourself this question then the reason could be any one of the following factors:

• Insufficient kneading: Proper kneading of the dough is crucial for developing gluten, which gives the roti its elasticity and softness. If the dough is not kneaded enough, the roti may turn out dense and tough.
• Inadequate resting time: After kneading the dough, it needs to rest for a sufficient period to allow the gluten to relax and the moisture to distribute evenly. If the dough is not given enough time to rest, the roti may become harder and less soft.
• Incorrect dough consistency: The dough should be soft and pliable but not sticky. If the dough is too dry or too wet, it can affect the texture of the roti. Adjust the amount of water or flour accordingly to achieve the right consistency.
• Rolling technique: The way you roll the roti can impact its softness. If you roll the dough too thin or with excessive pressure, it can lead to a denser and less soft roti. Be gentle while rolling and try to maintain an even thickness.
• Insufficient cooking time: If the roti is not cooked for long enough, it may not puff up properly and remain dense. Ensure that both sides of the roti are cooked evenly on a hot tawa (griddle) or pan.
• Improper heat management: The tawa or pan should be adequately preheated before cooking the roti. If the heat is too low, the roti may dry out and become less soft. Conversely, if the heat is too high, the roti can burn or cook unevenly.
• Storing improperly: If you’re not storing the rotis correctly, they can lose moisture and become hard.

More Flatbread Recipes to Try