Chapatis, also known as roti, are a flatbread of Indian origin that over time has become a daily food in Kenya and many other parts of East Africa.
They are made with very few ingredients, whole wheat flour, water, and salt, and their simplicity makes them an excellent alternative to traditional bread.
They are light, versatile, and truly delicious, perfect to serve when you are in the mood for something different or when you run out of bread at the last minute.
Their cooking takes place on a flat griddle called a tawa, which allows the chapatis to be soft, elastic, and slightly golden.
In India, they are served every day with vegetable curries, lentils, chicken, or spicy sauces.
In Kenya, however, they are often accompanied by rich and fragrant stews.
In any case, chapati is a bread that wins over with its authentic flavor, quick preparation, and ability to pair with any dish.
One of the reasons I love this recipe is that it requires no rising, just knead, roll out, and cook.
In less than 20 minutes, you get warm, soft homemade bread, ideal for wrapping vegetables, hummus, meat, cheese, or just enjoying on its own.
It’s a perfect recipe even for those who follow a simple and natural diet because it contains only wholesome and easily accessible ingredients.
If you are looking for a quick dinner idea, a different side from the usual, or homemade wholemeal bread that everyone will really like, chapatis are the solution.
They are inexpensive, quick, yeast-free, and above all, irresistible. Once tried, they will surely become part of your kitchen routine.
About 92 Kcal for each chapati
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 10 chapatis
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients to make chapati
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 7.1 oz water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Tools
- 1 Cast iron skillet cast iron skillet
Chapati Preparation
Place the flour and salt in a bowl, add the required water and obtain a soft and non-sticky dough.
Divide the dough into 10 balls, let rest for 10 minutes.
Roll out the balls on a floured surface to create a thin but not too thin disk….
….transfer it to a preheated pan, preferably a cast iron or thick-bottomed pan.
Cook each disk for about 20 minutes per side without a lid.
Serve stuffed or as a substitute for bread.

