By Garima Johar
May 19, 2025
Children often wonder how their mothers and grandmothers puff up rotis. The minute a flat, slightly-cooked dough disc comes in direct contact with heat, it starts taking the shape of a sphere. Here is how it happens.
Resting the dough allows gluten to develop, which adds to the softness and causes the dough to puff up.
If the atta is not kneaded with enough water, it won’t puff up. You can also add a tablespoon of milk at the end while kneading the dough.
When rolling the dough, you should make sure that all edges are of equal thickness. An uneven disc will never puff up.
Dusting on the dough should be the bare minimum, just enough to prevent it from sticking to the kitchen countertop.
When you place the roti on a tawa, it must be hot, otherwise, the cooking will be uneven. When you transfer roti from a hot tawa to a gas, it will puff up instantly.
When you subject roti to heat, gradually turn the flame to the highest setting. It will not only puff up the flatbread but also ensure even cooking.
When you spread the roti on a hot tawa, don’t forget to flip it once on it so that both sides are slightly cooked before subjecting it to fire.