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Freshly cooked soft chapathis stacked in a wooden plate.

Soft Chapathi (Soft Roti That Stays Soft for Hours)

Learn how to make soft chapathi at home using simple ingredients and room temperature water. This easy method helps the chapathi stay soft and fluffy even after cooling.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 10 chapathis
Course: Breakfast, dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Indian, northindian, south India
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • ¾ to 1 cup water room temperature, added gradually
  • 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
  • ½ teaspoon salt optional

Equipment

  • 1 heavy bottom dosa tawa

Method
 

  1. In a wide bowl, add wheat flour, salt, and oil. Mix well.
  2. Add water gradually and start mixing with your fingers.
  3. Bring the dough together and knead for 5–8 minutes until smooth and soft.
  4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  5. Divide the dough into equal-sized balls.
  6. Dust lightly with flour and roll into even round chapathis.
  7. Heat a tawa on medium flame.
  8. Place the rolled chapathi on the tawa and cook until bubbles appear.
  9. Flip and cook the other side until light brown spots form.
  10. Gently press the edges to help it puff.
  11. Remove and stack immediately. Apply a thin layer of ghee if desired.

Notes

  • Always add water little by little to avoid a sticky dough.
  • Kneading for a full 5 minutes makes the dough smooth and elastic.
  • Resting the dough for 30 minutes is essential for softness.
  • Do not overcook; keeping chapathi too long on the tawa makes it dry.
  • Applying a thin layer of ghee keeps chapathis soft for lunch boxes.