Kerala Parotta
An authentic vegetarian recipe from Kerala, India
Cook Time
60 mins
Servings
4 servings
Difficulty
HardCategory
VegetarianIngredients
For 4 servings
400g All-purpose flour (maida)
1piece Egg
100ml Milk
120ml Water (warm)
10g Sugar
6g Salt
60ml Oil
40ml Ghee or oil (for layering)
8 ingredients needed
💡 Pro Tip: Gather all ingredients before you start cooking for a smooth preparation process.
Cooking Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare this authentic dish
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center.
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Add the egg, milk, and warm water to the well. Mix together to form a shaggy dough.
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Add 2 tablespoons of oil and knead the dough vigorously for 10–12 minutes until it is very smooth, soft, and elastic. The dough should not stick to your hands.
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Coat the dough with a little oil, cover with a damp cloth, and rest for at least 30 minutes.
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Divide the rested dough into 8 equal balls. Cover and rest for another 10 minutes.
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On a lightly oiled surface, roll each ball into a very thin, almost translucent sheet (as thin as possible without tearing).
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Drizzle a teaspoon of oil or ghee over the surface of the rolled sheet and spread evenly.
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Fold the sheet into a long strip using accordion-style pleats (like a fan), then coil the strip into a tight spiral. Tuck the end underneath. Repeat for all balls.
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Rest the coiled spirals for 10 minutes, then gently flatten each one with your palm into a round disc about 15 cm in diameter.
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Heat a tawa or flat griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each parotta with a drizzle of oil for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown spots appear.
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Once cooked, immediately clap the parotta between your palms to fluff up the layers — this is the signature step that creates the characteristic flaky texture.
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Serve hot with Kerala chicken curry, beef curry, or vegetable salna.
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Chef's Tips
The key to flaky layers is rolling the dough as thin as possible before folding — thicker sheets result in dense parottas.
Resting the dough twice (after kneading and after shaping) is non-negotiable; it relaxes the gluten and makes rolling much easier.
Clapping the hot parotta immediately after cooking is essential to separate the layers — do not skip this step.
For extra richness, use ghee instead of oil for the layering step.
About This Dish
Kerala Parotta is a traditional vegetarian dish from Kerala, India. This authentic recipe provides exact measurements for cooking 4 servings.
- The key to flaky layers is rolling the dough as thin as possible before folding — thicker sheets result in dense parottas. - Resting the dough twice (after kneading and after shaping) is non-negotiable; it relaxes the gluten and makes rolling much easier. - Clapping the hot parotta immediately after cooking is essential to separate the layers — do not skip this step. - For extra richness, use ghee instead of oil for the layering step.
Category
Vegetarian
Cook Time
60 mins
Servings
4 servings
Difficulty
Hard