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Roti Canai

A flaky Indian-influenced flatbread with crispy outer layers and a soft, chewy interior. Excellent paired with curry or enjoyed plain as a snack.

45 minMediumServes 4310 cal/serving

MalaysianBreakfastStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1/3 cup ghee, melted
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix 2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl until a soft dough forms.

  2. 2

    Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth, then divide into 4 balls and coat each with 1/3 cup melted ghee.

  3. 3

    Cover dough balls and let rest at room temperature for at least 4 hours.

  4. 4

    Coat work surface with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then stretch each dough ball until paper-thin.

  5. 5

    Fold edges inward to form a square, then fry in a skillet with remaining ghee until golden and flaky.

  6. 6

    Clap the cooked flatbread between your hands to fluff up the layers before serving.

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Questions

What should Roti Canai look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until golden and flaky.

What can I use instead of ghee in Roti Canai?

The entry for Roti Canai calls for 1/3 cup ghee, melted. In its place: Use unsalted butter where the heat is moderate, or a neutral oil where it is high. Clarifying butter yourself takes about ten minutes.

Can I make Roti Canai dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Roti Canai is 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, 1/3 cup ghee, melted. Swap the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based version of the same product; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Roti Canai vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk and 1/3 cup ghee, melted. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan breakfast collection.

How many calories are in Roti Canai?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 310 calories, with 6 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 15 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 320 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

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