South Indian · serves 2

Kerala Parotta

Flaky, layered, and a genuine skill worth learning. A weekend afternoon well spent.

90 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 cups maida
  • 1 egg or 2 tbsp curd
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • Water
  • Ghee to cook

Method

  1. Knead a very soft, sticky dough with maida, egg or curd, sugar, salt and water. Knead a full 10 minutes.
  2. Coat in oil, cover, rest 3 hours. The long rest is what makes the dough stretchable — there is no shortcut.
  3. Roll a ball out thin, then oil it and stretch it by hand until nearly transparent. Some tearing is fine.
  4. Pleat it like a fan from one end, then coil the pleated rope into a spiral and tuck the end under. Rest 15 minutes.
  5. Roll the spiral gently into a disc — gently, or you crush the layers you just made.
  6. Cook on a hot tawa with ghee till golden. Then clap it between your hands to loosen the layers. Beef curry, egg roast or any gravy.

Questions people ask about Kerala Parotta

How long does Kerala Parotta take?

About 90 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What is the one thing to get right in Kerala Parotta?

Coat in oil, cover, rest 3 hours. The long rest is what makes the dough stretchable — there is no shortcut.

What can I use instead of maida in Kerala Parotta?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Kerala Parotta ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Kerala Parotta vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

What do you serve with Kerala Parotta?

Steamed rice with a spoon of ghee, and a papad if you have one. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

More ideas by ingredient

If you liked this

Chana Dal Sundal (Kadalai Paruppu Sundal)
95 min · A proper cook
Curd Rice
10 min · Easy
Coconut Rice
15 min · Easy
Cabbage in Coconut Milk
15 min · Easy
Lemon Rice
20 min · Easy
Rava Upma
20 min · Easy