If you are not a big fan of bread made from all-purpose flour (Naan), here's the alternative you need...Besan Roti!
It's a delicious North Indian flatbread made from gram flour and whole wheat flour. Do it not just for the taste, but also the fact that there is a good amount of protein from the gram flour.
That's two reasons why you should try this easy and elegant Besan Roti.
Roti is popularly known as flatbread around the world and comes in several shapes and forms. But the basic ingredient is what drives the texture and taste.
All-purpose flour is usually the standard choice except in this recipe, I have subbed it with chickpea flour.
Besan is the traditional Indian name for Chickpea flour or Gram flour and these Besan rotis (aka Missi Roti), are extremely popular in North Indian households. With a golden yellow hue, soft and tender texture, Besan Rotis are great when paired with a flavorful gravy-based vegetable dish like this amazing aloo matar, palak tofu, or mushroom curry It can also be served with dal recipes like dal fry, and spinach dal recipe.
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Ingredient notes
- Besan/ Gram flour: Be sure to use fresh gram flour from a sealed pack, to prepare this roti. Likewise, be sure to store the left over flour in an airtight container.
- Ajwain seeds: Also known as carom seeds are a great addition to help in digestion. Often times, rotis can be hard on the digestive tract and a little bit of carom seeds take care of that. Be sure not to skip this ingredient.
- Wheat flour: Wheat flour helps in binding the ingredients together as you knead them together.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Combine besan flour, wheat flour, ajwain seeds, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
Mix well add chopped cilantro and chopped green chilies.
Add little water in gradual steps and mix the ingredients together to make a smooth dough.
Drizzle a teaspoon of oil over the dough and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth and firm.
Divide the besan roti dough into small portions, about 1" round.
Roll each portion of the dough, and dust in flour as needed, into a thin circle.
Place a tawa (pan) over medium heat and keep it ready.
Once rolled, place the roti on the tawa and allow it to cook for a few seconds. Once you see air bubbles popping out, flip and turn.
Spread a thin layer of oil over the roti and cook on both sides until browned/cooked.
Once done, remove the Besan Roti from the Roti Tawa and proceed the same way with the remaining portions of the dough.
Serve the besan atta roti with your favorite curry or bhindi masala or yogurt.
Substitutions
- Gluten free flour - If you are looking for gluten free options, you could substitute the wheat flour with oat flour or almond flour. Oat flour brings the same binding property like wheat flour does.
- Vegan ghee - Using vegan ghee or extra-virgin olive oil, if you are looking for alternates for vegetable oil.
Storage
Storing the rotis in an airtight hot box can keep it fresh for up to 3 days. Over time, rotis tend to harden as they lose moisture. Moreover, besan rotis are naturally hard compared to traditional rotis. SO, serving them warm and fresh is definitely recommended.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, Besan flour is naturally gluten-free as they are made from ground chickpeas. Other names for Besan flour include gram flour, garbanzo flour, and chickpea flour.
Yes, with a good balance of natural fat, and protein from chick peas, besan roti is a better option compared to traditional rotis.
Top tip
It is also fairly common practice to add onions to the dough. It's a great way to add taste to the rotis as the onions add a sweet note. But if you do not want to add onions, there are substitutes you can go with like fenugreek leaves, chopped spinach, or grated veggies like carrots.
If you are cooking for kids or for a group that prefers it mild, be sure to reduce green chilies or even skip them altogether.
Remember to finely chop the cilantro and green chilies before mixing them in. This will avoid the rotis from tearing apart as you roll them.
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📖 Recipe
Besan Roti
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Pan or use non stick tawa
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 1½ cup besan flour or gram flour
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 green chilies chopped
- ½ teaspoon ajwain seeds
- 2 teaspoon cilantro chopped
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Combine besan flour, wheat flour, ajwain seeds, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Mix well add chopped cilantro and chopped green chilies.1½ cup besan flour or gram flour, 1 cup wheat flour, 1 green chilies chopped, ½ teaspoon ajwain seeds, 2 teaspoon cilantro chopped, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add little water in gradual steps and mix the ingredients together to make a smooth dough. Drizzle a teaspoon of oil over the dough and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth and firm.¾ cup water
- Divide the besan roti dough into small portions, about 1" round.
- Roll each portion of the dough, and dust in flour as needed, into a thin circle.
- Place a tawa (pan) over medium heat and keep it ready.
- Once rolled, place the roti on the tawa and allow it to cook for a few seconds. Once you see air bubbles popping out, flip and turn. Spread a thin layer of oil over the roti and cook on both sides until browned/cooked.
- Once done, remove the Besan Roti from the Roti Tawa and proceed the same way with the remaining portions of the dough.
Video
Notes
- It is also fairly common practice to add onions to the dough. It's a great way to add taste to the rotis as the onions add a sweet note. But if you do not want to add onions, there are substitutes you can go with like fenugreek leaves, chopped spinach, or grated veggies like carrots.
- If you are cooking for kids or for a group that prefers it mild, be sure to reduce green chilies or even skip them altogether.
- Remember to finely chop the cilantro and green chilies before mixing them in. This will avoid the rotis from tearing apart as you roll them.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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