Roti Bread

If you’ve never made your own roti before, get ready to fall in love! This buttery 4-ingredient roti bread is soft, chewy, and so easy to whip up—no yeast, no fuss, just simple pantry staples coming together to create the most delicious, warm, and flaky flatbread.

Whether scooping up a fragrant curry or slathering it with butter straight from the pan, this homemade roti is the ultimate comforting Indian food. And the best part? You only need four ingredients and a few minutes of your time!

These easy roti bread—also called chapati (don't be confused by the different names!)—are SO delicious and very easy to make from scratch! Taking minutes to prepare, they are the perfect kid-friendly side dish that, when paired with your favourite main, creates a delicious, fuss-free family dinner.

Serve with your favourite curries like slow cooker chicken korma and slow cooker butter chicken, and mop up every last bit of that delicious sauce!

You can even serve this soft roti bread with dips or soups!

Jump to:

• Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
• What You Need
• Equipment Required
• Step By Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• FAQs 
• Related Recipes 
• Roti Bread

Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

• 4 ingredients - just a handful of basic ingredients make these buttery round flatbreads.
• Easy recipe - just combine, knead, rest the dough and fry. This is such an easy roti recipe.
• Much tastier than store-bought - as soon as you taste one of these Indian flat breads freshly cooked, you will never go back to buying them again... they're just as good as your favourite Indian restaurants!
• Family-friendly - kids and adults love this soft, flaky bread!
• Thermomix and conventional - you can make the roti bread dough in a Thermomix, or use a stand mixer. Both methods are written in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What You Need

You need just 4 basic ingredients to make this buttery, fresh roti bread recipe. You probably already have them in your kitchen!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

• Bread flour—traditional roti is made with atta flour, I find the more readily available bread flour a great substitute. You can also use plain flour, white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour; however, your roti bread won't be as chewy.
• Salt - enhances the flavour of your bread.
• Butter- You can use either salted or unsalted butter, but if you use salted butter, reduce the amount of salt you add to the dough.
• Warm water - warm water helps create a soft and pliable roti dough.
• Extra butter is needed to fry the roti bread.

Equipment Required

You don't need any fancy equipment to make these roti breads, just:

• Large bowl and fork - for combining the bread ingredients.
• Stand mixer with dough attachment, or Thermomix - for kneading the dough.
• Lightly floured board and rolling pin - for rolling out the roti.
• Frying pan - or cast iron skillet/cast iron pan, for cooking the roti bread.

Step By Step Instructions

This easy roti bread recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Then, leave the soft dough to rest for an hour and fry it for the tastiest side to mop up all that delicious curry sauce!

Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.

Step 1 - Combine The Roti Bread Dough Ingredients

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Mix in the salt.

Pour in the melted butter.

Whisk the melted butter into the flour with a fork until dispersed.

Pour in the warm water.

Mix until the dough starts to come together into a dough ball.

Step 2 - Knead

Knead the dough until it is very stretchy and sticky. 

Step 3 - Rest The Dough

Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a tea towel, and allow it to rest.

Step 4 - Roll Out

Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball.

On a lightly floured board, roll the dough out into very thin circles.

Shake off any excess flour.

Step 5 - Fry

Melt a teaspoon of butter in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. 

Place the roti bread into the hot pan and cook until it's lightly golden on the bottom, with some brown spots and slightly bubbling on the first side. Flip the roti bread over and cook for 20-30 seconds on the second side. 

Step 6 - Serve

Cooking the remaining roti, one at a time using extra butter each time. 

Serve immediately - the roti bread are best enjoyed while still warm. 

Expert Tips

• Kneading the dough - you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured board, or in a stand mixer with a dough attachment, or by using the dough function on a Thermomix.
• Dough texture - you want the dough to be soft but not wet. Gently press your finger in the dough after kneading - you want it to leave an impression. If it doesn't leave an impression, add a splash of water and knead for a couple more minutes.
• Resting time - you can omit the resting time if necessary, however your dough may spring back when rolled out. 
• If your dough keeps springing back when you roll it - you can leave it to rest a little longer.
• The dough will NOT rise - the resting time helps to ensure the roti is soft once cooked.
• Roll the dough as thinly as possible - this ensures it will be cooked through.
• To keep the roti bread moist and warm while you cook the rest of the roti, place it in a container with a lid (or a ziplock plastic bag). Place damp paper towel or damp cloth over the top and seal to keep the roti warm.
• Serving - best served immediately.
• Leftovers - store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FAQs 

Related Recipes 

Roti bread goes with so many dishes, not just curries! Here are some easy recipes that are SO delicious served with some warm roti bread on the side:

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