Rice Flour Rotis/Chawal Ki Roti

40 mins

Serves 8 pcs.

Author: Rajni Ram

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Roti is a Flatbread of India made with whole wheat flour or refined flour. The dough is unleavened. Rotis form the staple food of most Indians on the northern side. Rotis can be of different kinds like, Chapati, Phulka, Tandoori roti, Roomali roti, Missi roti and more. All the mentioned Indian Flatbread varieties differ in either the flour proportions or the method how they are cooked.

Rice Rotis are the softest and are made with steamed rice flour. Unlike the Akki Roti these Rotis do not have chopped onions and other spices added to them. If made correctly, they also fluff up like a phulka. Since they are made with rice flour these Rotis are gluten free and perfect for people with gluten resistance.

As I am on a series creating Thaalis from all around India and also documenting the variations to them based on ingredients used or not used, I cooked this Rotis as part of the Gluten free thaali.

The dough for these Rotis is like the one made for Modak/kozhakattai. Having said this, it is important to make the dough well. I have cooked the Rotis with store bough rice flour, so some cracks towards the edge are seen. A smooth flour will ensure no cracks at all. The flour can also be made by pounding rice to a fine flour at home itself in a mixie.

Follow the directions as mentioned to get the best out of the recipe. While you are here also checkout other Roti/Paratha recipes on the blog like- Missi Roti, Garlic Naan, Sweet potato puran poli, Aloo Methi Paratha, Garlic Lachcha paratha, Beetroot Paratha, Chinese Paratha, and more…

Here is the recipe of this Simple Indian Flatbread- Rice Roti or Chawal Ki Roti

Ingredients

Rice flour (fine) 2 cups
Water 2 to 2.5 cups
Oil 1 tbsp (sesame or refined)
Salt 1/2 tsp

Take the rice flour in a heavy bottomed vessel or bowl. Add the salt and mix well with a spatula . Now put about 2 cups water, with the oil to boil. Roll boil the water(that is when the water bubbles are moving from bottom to top), switch of the flame and gradually pour the water into the flour, mixing with a spatula all the time. Stir until the water soaks up all the flour. The mixture may appear a little dry, but don’t worry.
Cover the vessel and put it on the flame and cook covered on low flame for 2 minutes. Remove from flame and cool a little. Remember it should not cool down completely. Now while still the dough is a little hot, using your hands start kneading the dough. Keep a bowl of water at regular temperature and keep dipping your hands into it so that you are able to deal with the hot dough.
If you find the dough a little dry or brittle, don’t hesitate to sprinkle(not pour) some water and knead again. Sprinkle-knead, sprinkle-knead, until you get a dough of smooth texture. Divide the dough into 8 or 10 portions, and ball them up. Dust with a little rice flour and roll them into a medium sized roti. (please refer notes at this point).
Heat a Tava/girdle and cook on one side using a little oil, flip and cook the other side. The Rotis will remain white, a few brown or black spots may appear when the Rotis are done. These Rotis can also be cooked as Phulka, but I have not done so today. While cooking the Rotis on the Tava, press them well with a spatula, to puff them up. Enjoy the Roti with a curry of your choice.

Take the rice flour in a heavy bottomed vessel or bowl. Add the salt and mix well with a spatula or using your fingers. Now put about 2 cups water, with the oil to boil. Roll boil the water(that is when the water bubbles are moving from bottom to top), switch of the flame and gradually pour the water into the flour, mixing with a spatula all the time. Stir until the water soaks up all the flour. The mixture may appear a little dry, but don’t worry. Cover the vessel and put it on the flame and cook covered on low flame for 2 minutes. Remove from flame and cool a little. Remember it should not cool down completely. Now while still the dough is a little hot, using your hands start kneading the dough. Keep a bowl of water at regular temperature and keep dipping your hands into it so that you are able to deal with the hot dough. Knead at the temperature your hands are able to take without trouble, If you find the dough a little dry or brittle, don’t hesitate to sprinkle(not pour) some water and knead again. Sprinkle-knead, sprinkle-knead, until you get a dough of smooth texture. Divide the dough into 8 or 10 portions, and ball them up. Dust with a little rice flour and roll them into a medium sized roti. (please refer notes at this point). Heat a Tava/girdle and cook o one side using a little oil, flip and cook the other side. The rotis will remain white, a few brown or black spots may appear when the rotis are done. These rotis can also be cooked as phulka, but I have not done so today. While cooking the Rotis on the Tava, press them well with a spatula, to puff them up. Enjoy the Roti with a curry of your choice.

Notes:

Roll boil the water means when the water bubbles are moving from bottom to top.
If you find the dough a little dry or brittle, don’t hesitate to sprinkle(not pour) some water and knead again. Sprinkle-knead, sprinkle-knead, until you get a dough of smooth texture.
After the rolling the Roti if you are unable to ease it out of the platform, use a rice serving spatula to ease it out without tearing(refer pictures). Alternatively, you can roll out the Roti on a Butter Paper.
These Rotis have to be rolled gently.
To knead while the dough is still hot, I knead them into small balls first and then combined all of them to make a huge smooth ball.(refer picture in step 2).
I did not use any oil to cook the Rotis, but you can definitely use if you prefer.
With Practise the shape and texture of the Rotis get better, so keep at it.