Rice Roti Recipe – Easy Indian Flatbread with Rice & Carrots

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Rice Roti Recipe – Easy Indian Flatbread with Rice & Carrots

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for ways to use up leftover rice. And let me tell you, this Rice Roti recipe is a game changer. It’s a fantastic way to transform simple ingredients into a delicious and satisfying Indian flatbread. I first stumbled upon a version of this while visiting my aunt in Kerala, and I’ve been tweaking it ever since to make it just perfect. It’s surprisingly easy, and the addition of carrots adds a lovely touch of sweetness and color.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Rice Roti is more than just a way to use leftovers. It’s quick to make – ready in under 30 minutes! It’s also wonderfully versatile. You can adjust the spice level to your liking, and it’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. Plus, the texture is just lovely – soft, slightly chewy, and incredibly moreish. Honestly, once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these delightful rotis:

• 3 cups cooked rice
• ½ cup onion, finely chopped (about 80g)
• 2 carrots, grated (about 100g)
• 4 green chillies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference!)
• 3 sprigs curry leaves
• ¼ cup coriander leaves, chopped (about 15g)
• 1 inch ginger, grated (about 5g)
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt (about 6g)
• ¾ cup idiyappam rice flour (about 90g)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients for a sec! A few things will really make this recipe shine:

• Idiyappam Rice Flour: This is key! It gives the rotis their lovely texture. You can usually find it at Indian grocery stores or online. It’s different from regular rice flour – it’s coarser and specifically used for making string hoppers (idiyappam).
• Cooked Rice: Any cooked rice will work, but I find slightly older rice (a day or two old) works best as it’s a little drier. This helps with the dough consistency.
• Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the number of green chillies. My family loves a good kick, but you can easily reduce it to 1-2 chillies for a milder flavour. In South India, they often add a pinch of red chilli powder too!
• Carrots: Grated carrots add a subtle sweetness and beautiful colour. You can also experiment with other grated vegetables like beetroot or radish.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First, pulse the cooked rice in a mixer or food processor until you get a coarse paste. Don’t add any water – the rice should bind together on its own.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground rice, chopped onions, grated carrots, green chillies, curry leaves, coriander leaves, grated ginger, cumin seeds, and salt. Give everything a good mix.
3. Now, gradually add the idiyappam rice flour, mixing well after each addition. You’re aiming for a soft, pliable dough – it shouldn’t be sticky, but it shouldn’t be too dry either. You might not need all the flour, so add it a little at a time.
4. Wet your hands slightly. Take a portion of the dough and shape it into a tennis-sized ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Place a ball of dough on a banana leaf or a piece of parchment paper. Using wet palms, gently spread the dough into a 6-7 inch roti. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round!
6. Poke a few holes all over the roti with your finger. This helps it cook evenly and prevents it from puffing up too much.
7. Heat a lightly oiled tawa (flat griddle) over medium heat. Carefully transfer the roti onto the hot tawa (leaf-side up if using a banana leaf). Cook for about 30 seconds, then peel off the leaf.
8. Cover the tawa and cook for about 2 minutes. Flip the roti and cook for another minute, or until lightly golden brown spots appear.
9. Serve hot with your favourite chutney or a dollop of yogurt!

Expert Tips

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

• Wet Hands are Key: Keeping your hands wet while shaping the rotis prevents the dough from sticking.
• Don’t Overcook: Overcooking will make the rotis hard. You want them to be soft and pliable.
• Tawa Temperature: Make sure your tawa isn’t too hot, or the rotis will burn before they cook through. Medium heat is ideal.

Variations

Let’s get creative!

• Vegan Adaptation: This recipe is naturally vegan!
• Gluten-Free Confirmation: As long as you use gluten-free idiyappam rice flour, this recipe is completely gluten-free.
• Spice Level Adjustments: As mentioned before, adjust the green chillies to your liking.
• Regional Variations: My friend’s grandmother in coastal Karnataka adds a pinch of turmeric powder and a tablespoon of grated coconut to the dough. It’s delicious! In South India, some people also add a little asafoetida (hing) for extra flavour.

Serving Suggestions

These Rice Rotis are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas:

• With a spicy coconut chutney
• With a cooling yogurt dip
• As a side dish with a South Indian curry
• Simply enjoyed on their own as a snack!

Storage Instructions

Leftover rotis can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them on a tawa or in a microwave before serving. They’re best enjoyed fresh, though!

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• Can I use leftover rice for this recipe? Absolutely! In fact, it’s the perfect way to use up leftover rice.
• What type of rice works best for Rice Roti? Any cooked rice will work, but slightly older rice (a day or two old) is ideal.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can! Just store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.
• What is Idiyappam rice flour and where can I find it? It’s a coarse rice flour used for making string hoppers. You can find it at Indian grocery stores or online.
• How can I achieve a softer roti? Don’t overcook the roti, and make sure the dough is soft and pliable. Adding a little bit of oil to the dough can also help.

Enjoy making these Rice Rotis! I hope they become a staple in your kitchen, just like they have in mine. Let me know how they turn out in the comments below!