Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (2024)

Traditional Indian flatbreads are a real Indian cuisine served on a daily basis. If you do not suffer from a sensitivity to gluten, then these flatbreads are the ideal accompaniment to any curry dish you serve for supper.

You could also simply wrap it up with some sauces and vegetables and take it with you for lunch or give it to your child to take to school. You can consume flatbreads with the main course, in the breakfast, or in the snacks, depending upon your preference. So, let’s have a look at some of the Indian Flatbreads that you must try.

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads!

Flatbread is a staple of traditional Indian cuisine. Here is a list of sorts of Indian bread that are fairly popular throughout the whole Indian subcontinent.

1. Dosa

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (1)

In India, Dosa is popularly consumed for breakfast. It has a flavor that is buttery, toasted, rich and has a texture that is foamy. Dosa is a one-of-a-kind of flatbread that is produced with crushed mung beans and batter, and its preparation is both quick and straightforward. There are different kinds of dosas available, like plain dosa, paneer dosa, masala dosa, rawa dosa, onion butter masala dosa, spring roll dosa, and mushroom dosa.

2. Naan

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (2)

The traditional Indian flatbread known as naan has a chewy consistency and was first created in India. Tandoori cookery utilizes white flour, a yeast combination, eggs, milk, salt, and sugar. The drooping of the dough during baking in a tandoor oven results in the tear-drop shape that is characteristic of Tandoori cuisine.

The majority of the flavor comes from the yogurt that is used in the preparation. The butter garlic naan goes particularly well with a variety of Indian cuisines, including curries, butter chicken, dal makhani, malai kofta, and shahi paneer, amongst others.

Look out for these popular Indian curries that you can enjoy with other types of naan like butter and garlic naan.

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (3)

Kulcha is a kind of flatbread prepared from wheat flour and is often consumed with chickpea curry. The bread is cooked in a tandoor, and after it is ready, it is presented to the customer piping hot with ghee on the side. Because it is chewy and soft at the same time, it is a meal that is quite popular in Northern India. It may be prepared by cooking it on a traditional tawa, which makes it more accessible. Aata kulcha with matar is loved by most of the individuals because of its distinct taste.

4. Lachha Paratha

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (4)

In India, breakfast often consists of lachha paratha, a kind of bread that is flaky, golden brown in color, layered, and crispy. It consists of some basic common ingredients like wheat flour, salt, ghee, and oil. In addition to these, you may come across yogurt, pickles, chutney produced from scratch, or a number of different kinds of curries.

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5. Thepla

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In traditional Gujarati fashion, gluten-free thepla is prepared using either wheat, gram, or millet flour, along with other spices. Although fenugreek leaves and bottle gourd make for tasty additions to it, their presence is not strictly necessary. In this particular recipe, the vegetables are not wrapped up inside the parathas; rather, they are mixed in with the dough, and after being rolled out, they are lightly roasted

6. Roti

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The traditional flatbread that goes with any vegetable or curry is called roti. It is prepared by combining wheat flour, water, and salt, then rolling the mixture into a spherical form before cooking it over medium-high heat. There is flexibility in the mix regarding the kind of wheat flour that is used; options range from multigrain to whole wheat. There are various kinds of rotis available like Tawa roti, butter roti, and tandoori roti to pair it up with different cuisines.

7. Bhature

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (7)

Another kind of leavened Indian bread is called bhatura. It is meant to be thick and is similar to naan in that it is kneaded rather than rolled out. The surface of a bhatura is allowed to get crisp in oil, while the inside is allowed to remain fluffy and soft. Typically, chana masala is served with it, and the whole dish in itself is mouth-watering!

8. Puri

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Puri is a kind of roti that is puffier than traditional roti and is smaller and circular which is popular all over India. It is often consumed with foods such as chole, aloo bhaji, veg kurma, or during the Ganpati festivities in Maharashtra, with a sweet yogurt-based dish called shrikhand or basundi.

9. Papadum

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In India, a common choice for a snack is papadum, which is either a wafer or a crispy flatbread. There are other names for the same meal, but they are always referred to as papad, papadum, or appalam. Papadum, in contrast to other types of flatbread of India, may only be consumed as an accompaniment to other foods. Cooking papadum often entails either deep-frying in oil at a high temperature or roasting it over an open flame. It is a vital component of the traditional Indian supper dish known as a thali.

10. Sheermal

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Sheermal, an Awadhi flatbread flavored with saffron and moderately sweet, is heavily inspired by Mughlai and Persian cuisines. As the main meal, as a dessert with fresh cream or yogurt, or simply as a simple snack with tea or coffee, this adaptable Indian flatbread types has a light, creamy texture.

11. Khakhra

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Khakhra is an Indian flatbread that is traditionally made in the state of Gujarat in the subcontinent. Crackers are often consumed for breakfast and are excellent when served with chutneys or curries. Wheat flour, mat bean, and oil are the three ingredients that are used to produce the crisp. Khakra is a good option to take with you as a snack during traveling or enjoying Netflix.

12. Parotta

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Parotta, a popular kind of street food in southern India, is traditionally made using all-purpose flour. Incredible to see is the process by which these chefs stack the parotta dough after it has been prepared. This flaky and delicious bread is a must whether served with meat-based gravies or Indian dishes, as it pairs particularly well with both.

13. Taftan

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It is an Awadhi royal flatbread that is flakier and lighter than regular naan. Flatbread flavored with cardamom, saffron, and poppy seeds and cooked in a tandoor or clay oven. It goes well with stew or soup, as well as spicy side dishes. In order to enhance the flavor, saffron and cardamom are sometimes added to it.

Conclusion

It is just as vital to choose the appropriate traditional flatbread to accompany the dishes as it is to infuse the dish itself with the ideal flavor. Traditional Indian cuisine has a special role for the flatbreads that are baked in traditional ovens. You can refer to this list the next time you feel like sampling something new from India’s bread basket.

Also, check out some of the scrumptious varieties to decide what to eat for breakfast. If you are in Mohali, place your order online at BitesBee, to take the opportunity to sample India’s many delectable flatbreads.

Everything You Need to Know about these 13 Indian Flatbreads! (2024)

FAQs

What are 10 traditional Indian flatbreads? ›

Different varieties of Indian bread and pancake include chapati, phulka, puri, roti, bajra rotla, thepla, paratha, naan, kulcha, bhatoora, appam, dosa, luchi, puran poli, pathiri, and parotta. Some of these, like paratha and roti, have many varieties.

What is Indian flatbread called? ›

Whether you call it chapati or roti, this bread goes by many different names and is perhaps the most popular flatbread in India. Made of a simple recipe of wheat flour and water, every household in India has its own signature take on this Indian flatbread.

Is Indian flatbread the same as naan? ›

One of the main differences between these two flatbreads is in the way that they are cooked. Before your naan or roti reaches your table, Roti will be cooked in a Tawa or flat skillet while naan is usually cooked in a tandoor oven. Both roti and naan have different types and varieties.

Is Indian flatbread healthy? ›

Naan boasts many of the same nutritional benefits as other fresh breads — including carbs, iron, and vitamin B.

What flatbread is eaten with most Indian cuisine? ›

Roti. Roti is the most basic flatbread served with different subzis as a pairing. Made out of a well-knead dough using ingredients like wheat flour, water and salt, rolled into round shapes and cooked on a utensil called Tawa.

Which is the healthiest Indian bread? ›

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha).

What is the crispy Indian bread called? ›

Papadum is a crispy flatbread or wafer. Depending on where you are, it's also known as papad or pappadum or applam. While all the other Indian bread can be served as a main dish, papadum is always served as a side dish. Typically made with lentils, papadum can be deep-fried or roasted over an open flame.

What does naan mean in Indian? ›

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

What is the most popular Indian bread? ›

Naan is probably the most famous of Indian bread. This fluffy, leavened Indian flatbread is best served hot, and even though it is ideal for sopping up the gravy in curry dishes, it also the perfect accompaniment for other popular dishes like tandoori chicken.

What is the Indian flatbread often served with curry? ›

ROTI is an unleavened, wheat-flour bread rolled out into very thin rounds, and cooked quickly on a tawa, or flat griddle, until brown and blistered. It is also enjoyed in the Caribbean, where street food vendors offer it wrapped around a curry.

What is the Indian bread that is not naan? ›

So, while naan is a treat that one can indulge in occasionally, here are some Indian breads that can be made in your home every day.
  • Roti or chapati.
  • Paratha.
  • Akki roti.
  • Puri.
  • Bakarkhani.
  • Czot.
  • Pao.
  • Sheermal.
Nov 15, 2021

Which is healthier naan or roti? ›

Roti is generally considered healthier than naan. Roti is lower in calories and contains zero saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In contrast, naan tends to be higher in calories and may contain added fats. For a healthier choice, roti is often preferred, especially by those conscious of their dietary intake.

What are 10 traditional Indian flatbread? ›

Guide to Indian Flatbreads: We Bet You've Not Tried Half of Them!
  • Dosa. In India, Dosa is popularly consumed for breakfast. ...
  • Naan. The traditional Indian flatbread known as naan has a chewy consistency and was first created in India. ...
  • Kulcha. ...
  • Lachha Paratha. ...
  • Thepla. ...
  • Roti. ...
  • Bhature. ...
  • Puri.
Aug 4, 2022

Are flatbreads better than pizza? ›

Flatbread pizza often has a thinner crust compared to traditional pizza. A thinner crust can result in a lower calorie and carbohydrate content, making it a potential choice for those looking to reduce their calorie intake.

What are five popular Indian breads? ›

Here's a beginner's guide to seven popular Indian breads and how to eat them.
  • Chapati. The word chapat means “slap” in Hindi, giving us an idea of just how the Indian flatbread is made. ...
  • Parotta. ...
  • Paratha. ...
  • Naan. ...
  • Puri. ...
  • Bhatura. ...
  • Bhakri.
Oct 22, 2017

What is traditional flatbread? ›

Traditional Flatbread

Traditionally, flatbread is basically unleavened bread, which is made without yeast. Flour, water, and salt are the main ingredients. It's rolled out flat and cooked, usually in a brick oven. While it originated in ancient Egypt, many cultures have versions of flatbread.

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