How To Make Perfect Gluten-Free Rotis That Don't Crack
Let's be honest. The journey to mastering gluten-free cooking is often a delicious but frustrating one. You've conquered the baking, aced the pancakes, but then you try to make a simple roti, and it all falls apart, literally. The dough crumbles, the edges crack into a thousand pieces, and what was meant to be a soft, warm flatbread ends up looking more like a delicate papad. But what if we told you there's a way to make soft, pliable, and most importantly, non-breaking gluten-free rotis? The kind you can actually fold and use to scoop up your dal? It's a simple technique with the help of a game-changing ingredient. But first, let's talk about the right flours.
Which Indian Flours Are Gluten-Free?
Fortunately, the world of cooking offers a wonderful variety of flours that are naturally gluten-free and perfect for making rotis. In fact, many of these are staples in regional Indian cooking already. While you have the option to order gluten-free rotis online for your meals, keeping these flours handy in the kitchen is also a good idea.
Jowar (Sorghum) Flour: A light, versatile flour with a mild, slightly sweet flavour. It's one of the most popular choices for making rotis in Western and Southern India.
Bajra (Pearl Millet) Flour: Known for its rustic, nutty flavour and a darker colour. Bajra rotis are a winter favourite in many parts of India, prized for their warmth and nutritional benefits.
Ragi (Finger Millet) Flour: A rich, earthy flour with a reddish-brown colour, ragi is packed with calcium and fibre. It's perfect for adding a wholesome twist to your rotis.
Rice Flour: A simple, pure white flour made from ground rice. While it can be a little less forgiving on its own, it works wonderfully when blended with other flours to add a soft texture.
Chickpea Flour (Besan): A common flour in Indian cooking, besan adds a nutty flavour and is fantastic for making chilla or pudla (savoury pancakes), and can also be used in small quantities in your roti dough for extra flavour.
How To Make Perfect Gluten-Free Rotis
1. Add Psyllium husk
Psyllium husk, also known as isabgol, is the magic binder you've been missing. When mixed with water, it forms a viscous, gel-like substance that gives your dough the elasticity and binding power it desperately needs. Without it, gluten-free flours like jowar, bajra, ragi have no structure. Adding a tablespoon of psyllium husk per cup of flour can transform that crumbly mess into a cohesive, workable dough.
2. Knead the dough right
Now for the technique. Always use very hot water. Gluten-free flours, unlike wheat flour, don't just "absorb" water; they need to be slightly cooked or gelatinised to become pliable.
Start by combining your chosen gluten-free flour (or a mix of two) with the psyllium husk and a pinch of salt. Next, pour in boiling or very hot water, mixing with a spoon first to avoid burning your fingers. Once it's cool enough to handle, knead the dough for a few minutes. You'll feel the dough change from a sticky, loose mixture into a smooth, slightly elastic ball. You'll know it's ready when you can press it with your finger and it holds its shape.
3. Roll the rotis gently
When it comes to rolling, apply a gentle touch. Lightly dust your rolling surface and the dough ball with a little dry flour. Use slow, even pressure, turning the roti after every two strokes. Don't be tempted to press too hard or roll too fast, as this is where the cracks appear. The psyllium husk will give you a little leeway, but a gentle hand is still crucial. A little trick is to use a large flat-bottomed bowl or plate to press down on the roti to get a perfectly round shape.
4. Cook at the right temperature
Finally, the cooking. Heat your tava or griddle until it's hot. Place the roti on the pan, let it cook for about 30 seconds, then flip it. Cook the other side for another 30-45 seconds, until you see small bubbles. For that satisfying puff, you can now transfer it to a direct flame or continue cooking on the tava while gently pressing down on the edges with a cloth.
The first attempt might not be perfect, but with a little practice, you'll be rolling out soft, beautiful rotis that taste just as good as they look. And for those times, you don't have the time or patience, you can easily order rotis and many other gluten-free food items like cakes on a food delivery app.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
India urges Dhaka to reconsider Satyajit Ray's home demolition, offers repair help
Authorities in Bangladesh have begun demolishing the ancestral home of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh city to make way for a semi-concrete structure, according to a report by Bangladeshi news website The Daily move has drawn strong reactions from India, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressing regret and urging the Bangladeshi government to reconsider the MEA said in a statement, "We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished." It added that "given the building's landmark status, symbolising Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh." The Indian government has also expressed willingness to cooperate with local authorities in this structure in question was built by Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury, grandfather of Satyajit Ray and father of poet Sukumar Ray. The century-old building was formerly used as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy and is located on a road named after another Ray ancestor, Horikishore Ray Chowdhury. The Ray family is considered to have made lasting contributions to Bengali literature and to The Daily Star, the structure has suffered due to years of neglect by local authorities. "The house has been left abandoned for 10 years. Shishu Academy activities have been operating from a rented space," the report quoted Md Mehedi Zaman, the district Children Affairs Officer, as added that a semi-constructed structure will now be built on the site to accommodate academic Ashraf, a local poet, told TDS, "The house was in a pitiful state for years; cracks developed in its roof, but the authorities concerned never cared for the rich history behind old buildings."The house was taken over by local authorities after the Partition in 1947, when the region became part of East Pakistan. In 1989, it was repurposed as the Mymensingh Shishu residents have voiced their opposition to the demolition, arguing that it erases a vital part of the city's cultural and literary Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also reacted to the development, calling it "extremely distressing." Writing in Bangla on X, she said, "News reports reveal that in Bangladesh's Mymensingh city, the ancestral home of Satyajit Ray's grandfather, the renowned writer-editor Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, steeped in his memories, is reportedly being demolished. It is said that the demolition work had already begun."advertisementShe added, "The Ray family is one of the foremost bearers and carriers of Bengali culture. Upendrakishore is a pillar of Bengal's renaissance. Therefore, I believe this house is intricately tied to the cultural history of Bengal."Banerjee appealed to the interim government of Bangladesh and the people of the country to preserve the historic home. She also urged the Indian government to intervene in the Ray, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, and an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, remains one of the most celebrated figures in global cinema.- Ends
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Students take part in Bhel Pani paddy cultivation event
Madikeri: Students from various colleges in Kodagu district participated in a muddy Bhel Pani paddy cultivation activity, organised by the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy in partnership with the Connecting Kodavas organisation. The event took place at a private farmland in Madikeri taluk, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic participants. Connecting Kodavas organisation conducts the Bhel Pani initiative annually during the monsoon to encourage agricultural practices among youth and safeguard paddy fields in the district. This year's collaboration with the Karnataka Sahitya Academy saw participation from students of Murnad PU College, Jnana Jyothi College, Kodagu Vidyalaya, and Maruti Schools. Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy president AC Mahesh Nachaiah launched the event, emphasising the importance of preserving agricultural lands. Kodagu is an agricultural district, and we rely on agriculture. In that regard, agricultural land should be saved. More emphasis should be given to paddy cultivation. In the entire Indian continent, Kodagu is like a paradise, and farmers cultivate various crops, including paddy and coffee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Estancia Viluco (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo The main objective of this event is to introduce paddy cultivation to the next generation, said Mahesh. He further highlighted that agricultural practitioners experience self-satisfaction and valuable life lessons. "Agricultural land should be preserved. They should not be converted for any reason," he said. The event featured experienced agriculturists, including retired agricultural officer AC Girish, alongside farmers Ganesh Thimmaiah and Dhruv Devaiah, who shared insights about paddy cultivation techniques. Farmer Suraj Bopanna discussed the significance of incorporating modern technology in farming. The initiative provided students, typically confined to classrooms during the monsoon, an opportunity to experience hands-on paddy planting.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
U'khand schools start daily Gita lessons in morning assemblies
Dehradun: Govt schools across Uttarakhand began teaching Bhagwad Gita shlokas during morning assemblies from Tuesday under the National Education Policy 2020, following a review meeting in May that cleared the proposal to "familiarise students with Indian culture and knowledge traditions". Officials from the state education department said the practice aims to take learning beyond the classroom. "NEP clearly states that students must be introduced to Indian culture, heritage, knowledge systems, and traditional learnings. The teachings must go beyond the curriculum. The CM also directed that these ancient teachings be incorporated into our schooling system. In line with that, shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita have now been introduced in the morning assemblies in our schools. A few lessons will be shared daily," Dr Mukul Kumar Sati, director, secondary education, said. While Sati said Uttarakhand is the first state to implement this on-ground, some BJP-ruled states have made similar announcements. Gujarat introduced Bhagwad Gita classes from Classes VI to XII in 2022, incorporating shlokas in prayers and chapters into textbooks. Karnataka also announced plans to add Gita teachings under moral science after expert consultations during the 2022-23 academic session. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh followed suit, announcing they will introduce it for higher classes. Sati said the initiative will gradually be expanded to the curriculum, with new textbooks being introduced this session. Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat also supported integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems into formal education. "The Indian knowledge system is one of the oldest in the world. It will help with the moral, spiritual, and physical development of students and discipline them while creating scientific curiosity as well," he said. In instructions sent to chief education officers across Uttarakhand, Sati said that Gita should be seen not just as a religious text, but as a reflection of human values and scientific reasoning. "These teachings can be a stepping stone to students becoming great citizens. In every assembly, one shloka with its meaning should be taught along with its scientific viewpoint." He added, "There should be a 'weekly shloka' that should be discussed at the end of the week. The significance of these teachings in day-to-day life should also be taught to the students. At every step, we must ensure the character development, self-control, and scientific mindset of our students with these teachings," the order read.
