Rumali Roti or Roomali Roti or Manda is a vegan, soft and thin tasty flatbread popular across India. It is quick and super easy to make. It is prepared using combination of all purpose flour and wheat flour. This flatbread can be served with any curry or gravy of your choice.
What is Rumali Roti or Roomali roti?
Rumali / Roomali means 'handkerchief'. This bread (roti) is so thin that you can fold it like a kerchief and hence the name. These breads are so popular that it is a common feature in most Wedding lunch/dinner menus. Anyone who has seen it being prepared in restaurants have a feeling that it is a difficult flat bread to prepare at home.
This is because experienced chefs do not use a rolling pin to make these rotis, instead they toss them in air similar to how pizza is made in pizzerias. Also, at restaurants they are cooked on the inverted side (convex side) of a kadhai on high heat (generally over a tandoor - a coal fired oven). So there is a misconception that one requires fancy equipment and specialized skills to prepare this bread.
However, since the dough for rumali roti is soft and elastic, it can be rolled easily into thin flatbreads using a rolling pin. After coming to the US I have made them at home countless times as they are super easy to make and are perfect combination with spicy Indian curries.
Compared to the rumali rotis we get at restaurants home made rotis are just a tad smaller. There is no difference in their taste, texture, and softness whatsoever! If you love flat breads and rolling, then this is another super easy bread that you should try at home.
Ingredients for Rumali Roti
All purpose flour / Maida - 2 cup
Whole wheat flour / Atta - ⅔ cup
Salt - 1 tsp
Warm water - 1 ⅓ cup
Rice flour - 3 tbsp
Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
How to make Rumali Roti
Step I
- In a bowl, add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt and mix well.
- Now add water little by little to form a soft dough. The amount of water required may vary depending on the brand of flour and weather conditions.
- Cover the dough and keep it aside for 30 minutes.
Step II
- Divide the dough into 20 equal portions.
- Take two balls of dough and make small roti out of it. Approximately 3 inch in diameter.
- Spread oil and rice flour on top of one of the roti. Place another roti on top of this like a sandwich. Now roll this using rolling pin to form thin roti.
Step III
-
Heat the tava / non-stick pan. It should be very hot.
-
Transfer the roti to the tava. When you see the bubbles flip on the other side. This process should be completed in few seconds else your roti will turn crispy and not soft.
-
Now slowly separate the two rotis from the sealed edges. Fold it into triangle and repeat the process for the remaining dough
-
Rumali Rotis are now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.
Tips
- Dough should be smooth enough to make thin rotis.
- Tava should be very hot and the rotis should be cooked in few seconds on both the sides to keep it soft. I have used non-stick pan.
- The amount of water required may vary depending on the brand of flour and weather conditions.
- if your are not able to find rice flour, you can use corn flour (cornstach) or tapioca flour.
This is my old blog post. I am re-posting it again with new pics and a quick video of my husband trying to prepare roomali rotis. Hope you guys find it useful.
Some of my favorite, popular best and easy Indian flatbreads
- Pita Bread – popular on blog
- Thai roti bread – popular on blog
- Garlic Butter Naan bread
- Tava Naan
- 12 Vegan flatbread recipes
- Amritsari kulcha
- Corn Flour Bread
- Oats Chapati
- Garlic Cheese Naan
What to serve with rumali roti or any Indian roti ?
Any Indian dishes - gravy or curry tastes great with naan bread, roti or any flatbread. Some of my favorite accompaniments
- Grilled meats like Tikka and kebabs
- Hummus
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Butter Chicken
- Chana Masala (chole or chickpeas curry)
- Chicken Tikka
- Mushroom Butter masala – popular on blog
My husband tries his hand at making rumali roti. Do check out the video. See, I told you it was easy!! If he can make it, you can make it 🙂
Recipe card
Rumali Roti Recipe | Easy Roomali Roti
Equipment
- 1 Tawa or Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour or Maida
- ⅔ cup Whole wheat flour or Atta
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 ⅓ cup Warm water
- 3 tablespoon Rice flour (check tip for substitute)
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil or any cooking oil
Instructions
Step I
- In a bowl, add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt and mix well.2 cups All purpose flour or Maida, ⅔ cup Whole wheat flour or Atta, 1 teaspoon Salt
- Now add water little by little to form a soft dough. The amount of water required may vary depending on the brand of flour and weather conditions.1 ⅓ cup Warm water
- Cover the dough and keep it aside for 30 minutes.
Step II
- Divide the dough into 20 equal portions.
- Take two balls of dough and make small roti out of it. Approximately 3 inch in diameter.
- Spread oil and rice flour on top of one of the roti. Place another roti on top of this like a sandwich. Now roll this using rolling pin to form thin roti.2 tablespoon Vegetable oil or any cooking oil, 3 tablespoon Rice flour
Step III
- Heat the tava / non-stick pan. It should be very hot.
- Transfer the roti to the tava. When you see the bubbles flip on the other side. This process should be completed in few seconds else your roti will turn crispy and not soft.
- Now slowly separate the two rotis from the sealed edges. Fold it into triangle and repeat the process for the remaining dough
- Rumali Rotis are now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Dough should be smooth enough to make thin rotis.
- Tava should be very hot and the rotis should be cooked in few seconds on both the sides to keep it soft. I have used non-stick pan.
- The amount of water required may vary depending on the brand of flour and weather conditions.
- if your are not able to find rice flour, you can use corn flour (cornstach) or tapioca flour.
Nutrition
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Dannii
I have always wanted to try making my own roti and these look really easy. I can't wait to try.
Caroline
I love roti, I remembering having them at a small place in Malaysia where the chef made them just as you say, tossing them from hand to hand. It was fascinating to watch. These look lovely and look forward to trying myself.
Katherine Hackworthy
This handkerchief roti looks so incredible for mopping up curries. And so quick to make, too!
Jay
Amazing recipe Kushi but I used only whole wheat flour.