Paratha (Parotta) | Flaky Indian Flatbread

Paratha, a crispy, layered Indian flatbread, is a novel deal with that simply begs to be torn aside together with your fingers, dunked right into a spicy curry, then popped into your mouth!

Flaky paratha stacked on clay plate with dal and sabzi.

Desk of Contents

What’s a paratha?

A paratha (“parotta” in south India) is a coiled flatbread with a number of crispy layers. Suppose puff pastry remodeled right into a softer, flavorful flatbread. Parathas are generally eaten in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, with some variations.

The north Indian lachha paratha (that means coiled paratha) or khasta paratha (crispy paratha) is made with complete wheat flour. The south Indian parotta, additionally coiled, is made with refined flour.

A paratha is unleavened and it isn’t stuffed, like an aloo paratha or a gobi paratha can be. However what makes this plain paratha with none stuffing simply as beloved and decadent are its scrumptious, flaky layers and wealthy, buttery taste.

Getting these coils and layers good entails a little bit of approach, however I’ve simplified the method sufficient so even a child may make it, with nice outcomes. There’s additionally no ghee on this vegan paratha, after all. As a substitute what we’ll use is melted vegan butter for that very same scrumptious taste and richness.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Crispy, buttery and scrumptious. There are such a lot of pleasant layers on this paratha. The skin layers are crunchy and flaky and people on the within are tender and butter-soft. The classy vegan butter provides a pleasant, buttery taste.
Fast and comparatively straightforward recipe. This flatbread recipe goes from begin to end in beneath an hour even in case you are newer to the method. Needless to say there’s a studying curve with any Indian flatbread, like roti or vegan naan, and it’s possible you’ll not get excellent outcomes the very first time. However you’ll positively get higher every time you make these.
Few components. You want just some pantry components for this recipe, together with flour and vegan butter.
Everybody pleasant. Children and adults will love this recipe. And it is vegan, soy-free and nut-free.

Substances

All-purpose flour (or maida). If you wish to make a more healthy model, swap out the all-purpose flour for durum complete wheat flour or atta. The paratha will not be as crispy, however it will likely be scrumptious.
Impartial oil. Use any unflavored vegetable oil, together with sunflower oil, safflower oil, grape seed oil and avocado oil.
Vegan butter. You should utilize my recipe for homemade vegan butter or use retailer purchased. You possibly can simply use oil however vegan butter provides you with the flakiest parathas.

How you can make paratha

Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Drizzle the oil into the flour.

Combine the oil in rapidly so drops of the oil are dispersed all through the flour.

Trickle in water, a bit at a time, and knead till a easy, supple dough kinds. Place within the bowl, cowl and put aside for not less than half-hour.

Paratha dough ready to roll on floured surface.

Prove the rested dough on a floured floor and mud a rolling pin with flour.

Paratha dough rolled out and sprinkled with butter and flour.

Roll the dough right into a rectangle about 14 inches lengthy and 12 inches large. Brush with melted butter throughout and sprinkle a little bit of flour.

Paratha dough being folded for first time.

Working alongside the shorter edge, carry the dough and fold it over itself, then repeat for the opposite facet, creating three distinct layers.

Brush the folded dough with butter, sprinkle flour, after which fold into thirds once more.

Roll out the folded dough, once more to a rectangle about 14 inches lengthy and 13 inches large.

Brush with butter all the way in which to the sides and sprinkle flour.

Paratha dough being rolled into a cylinder.

Beginning on the brief facet, roll the dough into a decent cylinder.

Tuck the seams in…

…then reduce the cylinder into 12 equal items.

Cut outs of coiled dough on wooden board.

It is best to have rolls that appear like these, with all the numerous layers we have now created distinctly seen.

Flour the floor very calmly, if wanted, and roll out a paratha that is about 5 inches in diameter.

Warmth a non-stick griddle or cast-iron griddle over medium-high warmth. Place the paratha on it and let it prepare dinner till it begins to bubble.

Paratha roasted to golden-brown perfection on cast iron griddle.

Flip over and brush with a little bit of vegan butter. As soon as the underside has golden brown spots, flip once more and prepare dinner the opposite facet. Brush some butter once more if you want.

Crushing parathas wrapped in napkins in hands.

As quickly because the paratha comes off the range wrap it in a kitchen towel. As soon as all of the parathas have been cooked, decide them up, nonetheless within the towel, and crush them between your palms.

Paratha separated into layers after crushing.

This step helps separate the layers and makes the parathas softer. Serve the parathas instantly.

Suggestions for achievement

If, when rolling out the dough, you discover that it springs again rapidly, let the dough stand for 5-10 minutes so it rests and relaxes earlier than you try and roll once more.
Do not roll the parathas too thin–you will threat flattening out the layers.
Do not lean into the rolling pin as you roll the parathas. Let your wrists do the work. This may preserve you from placing an excessive amount of strain on the parathas as you roll them.
You can also make the paratha dough as much as two days upfront. Retailer within the fridge in an hermetic container. Let the dough stand at room temperature for an hour earlier than working with it.

Serving ideas

Storage directions

Refrigerate: The cooked parathas will preserve within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the parathas in a freezer-safe bag or air-tight container for as much as 4 months.
Reheat: Reheat the parathas on a scorching griddle till warmed by means of and tender once more.

Extra tasty Indian flatbreads

Parathas stacked on clay plate with dal and sabzi in background.

Love this paratha recipe? Take a look at extra Indian vegan recipes on Holy Cow Vegan!

Paratha

Paratha or parotta, a flaky Indian flatbread, is a novel deal with that simply begs to be torn aside together with your fingers, dunked right into a spicy curry, then popped into your mouth.

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Course: Bread

Delicacies: Indian

Eating regimen: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 12 parathas

Energy: 136kcal

Creator: Vaishali · Holy Cow Vegan

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Directions

Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Drizzle the oil over the flour. Combine the oil in rapidly so drops of the oil are dispersed all through the flour.
Trickle in water, a bit at a time, and knead till a easy, supple dough kinds. Place within the bowl, cowl and put aside for not less than half-hour.
Prove the rested dough on a floured floor and mud a rolling pin with flour.
Roll the dough right into a rectangle about 14 inches lengthy and 12 inches large. Brush with melted butter throughout and sprinkle a little bit of flour.
Working alongside the shorter edge, carry the dough and fold it over itself, then repeat for the opposite facet, creating three distinct layers.
Brush the folded dough with butter, sprinkle flour, after which fold into thirds once more.
Roll out the folded dough, once more to a rectangle about 14 inches lengthy and 13 inches large. Brush with butter all the way in which to the sides and sprinkle flour.
Beginning on the brief facet, roll the dough into a decent cylinder. Lower the cylinder into 12 equal items.
Flour the floor very calmly, if wanted, and roll out a paratha about 5 inches in diameter.
Warmth a non-stick griddle or cast-iron griddle over medium excessive warmth. Place the paratha on it and let it prepare dinner till it begins to bubble.
Flip over and brush with a little bit of vegan butter. As soon as the underside has golden-brown spots, flip once more and prepare dinner the opposite facet. Brush some butter once more if you want.
As quickly because the paratha comes off the range wrap it in a kitchen towel. As soon as all of the parathas have been cooked, decide them up, nonetheless within the towel, and crush them between your palms. This step helps separate the layers and makes the parathas softer. Serve the parathas instantly.

Recipe notes

Suggestions for achievement

If, when rolling out the dough, you discover that it springs again rapidly, let the dough stand for 5-10 minutes so it rests and relaxes earlier than you try and roll once more.
Do not roll the parathas too thin–you will threat flattening out the layers.
Do not lean into the rolling pin as you roll the parathas. Let your wrists do the work. This may preserve you from placing an excessive amount of strain on the parathas as you roll them.
You can also make the paratha dough as much as two days upfront. Retailer within the fridge in an hermetic container. Let the dough stand at room temperature for an hour earlier than working with it.

Storage ideas

Refrigerate: The cooked parathas will preserve within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze the parathas in a freezer-safe bag or air-tight container for as much as 4 months.
Reheat: Reheat the parathas on a scorching griddle till warmed by means of and tender once more.