The flatbreads that originated in the Indian subcontinent offer a unique culinary experience. This is courtesy of the multicultural culinary history of the region that shaped and refined the different varieties of the “Staff of Life” over centuries.
For instance, the ubiquitous chapati and roti, which date back to the Indus Valley Civilization; the now world-famous paratha which is mentioned in the 12th-century Sanskrit Encyclopedia; and the Central Asian naan bread, which became common in India during the Delhi Sultanate period, and is mentioned in the 1300 CE texts of the renowned Persian poet Amir Khusrao.
These and many other types of flatbreads, made from different grain types, and using different leavening, and cooking techniques, have been the staple of the Indian subcontinent. They accompany almost every meal. And since the region is known for its hearty stews and saucy curries, flatbreads are just what you need to scoop up and enjoy.
However, the correct choice of flatbread is critical to complement the depth of flavors that is a signature of Indian stews and curries. This article talks about some of the most commonly eaten Indian flatbreads and their must-try combos… complete with hacks!
Indian flatbreads you can enjoy in the U.S.
If you’re a food lover in the U.S., you may not be able to fully explore the wide world of Indian flatbreads and their unique variations, but the most-loved types are easily accessible. According to import data for March 2023 to February 2024, the U.S. is the top importer of frozen paratha worldwide. The other Indian bread types easily available in the U.S. are roti and naan. While roti and paratha are unleavened, naan bread is leavened. So you can enjoy popular items from both categories in their heat-and-eat versions – plain, flavored, and stuffed.
Here is a quick look at these popular Indian flatbreads and their preparations.
Paratha
This unleavened flatbread is made from milled flour, whole wheat, or refined, and is known for its flaky and layered texture. Many traditional techniques are used to make the layered dough, and ghee (South Asian clarified butter) coats the layers to achieve a flaky consistency. The paratha is either baked atop a tawa or shallow-fried.
If you’re a bread-lover, the North Indian Lachha, and the Malabar paratha from the South, are a must-try – these are perhaps the most popular besides the original plain paratha.
And, if you’re looking for the stuffed variety, the Aloo Paratha has the largest fan club!
Naan
Once the food of Mughal royals and nobles, this leavened flatbread has been a favorite among the Indian masses since the 1700s.
Traditionally, it is made with refined wheat flour (‘maida” or all-purpose flour) and yeast is used as a leavening agent. Rolled into balls, and pressed flat, the naan dough sheet is hand-tossed into a clay oven where excessive heat gives it a quick bake. It is soft, fluffy, and nicely charred on the outside, courtesy of the leavening process.
Like the paratha, there are many ways of making naan bread and there are many types of it besides the plain. One of the simplest yet most popular variations is the Garlic Naan which soaks the naan bread in zesty garlic and tart coriander flavors.
Roti
Roti is an unleavened flatbread, traditionally made from stoneground whole wheat flour. The dough is formed into balls, and a rolling pin is used to shape the thin and round flatbread, which is cooked on the tawa – a metallic utensil that resembles a griddle pan.
Roti or chapati is the most commonly eaten Indian flatbread since it is light, can be served with anything, and has higher fiber content.
From naan to paratha: Try out these exciting Indian flatbread combinations
Aloo paratha with cucumber raita
Try this timeless combo for a quick and fulfilling weekend brunch. The paratha is stuffed with a savory, spicy potato mash and goes perfectly with the cooling cucumber raita.
Quick recipe: Make a simple cucumber raita by mixing thick yogurt with salt, cumin, and finely chopped garlic. Add diced cucumber and if you want, a dash of ground black pepper. Your cucumber raita is ready to serve!
Time-saving hack: Try Kaiser Aloo Paratha to reduce your cooking time. It brings you the flavors of the original recipe and is ready to enjoy within minutes. Serve with the cool raita, and enjoy!
Garlic naan with dal makhani
This vegetarian food combo is a match made in heaven. The creamy dal and the garlic naan build layers of flavor and are an experience worth having.
Recipe idea: Try this recipe for delicious Dal Makhani by Payal Bali Sharma. It is restaurant style and ready in 2 hours.
Time-saving hack: Instead of making it from scratch, get the Kaiser Garlic Naan. It comes fully cooked and is ready to heat and enjoy. And, if you prefer meat instead of dal to go with it, you can make things still quicker. Substitute the dal makhani recipe with Kaiser’s ready-to-eat butter chicken or chicken tikka masala.
Malabar paratha with chole masala
Indulge in the flaky, layered goodness of the Malabar Paratha, enhanced by the spicy Chole Masala for a convenient and flavorful lunch!
Recipe idea: This recipe by Kanan Patel is extremely traditional and makes a hearty chole masala. Ready in 45 minutes, if you put a little effort in prep beforehand.
Time-saving hack: Try this chole masala recipe with the Kaiser Malabar Paratha for a quick fix. The paratha is ready within minutes and goes beautifully with the chole masala. If you want an animal-based protein option to chole, chapli kebabs are great.
Plain paratha with shakshuka
Perfect for a delectable breakfast, this combo is comforting, and delicious, and gives you an amazing boost. The plain paratha goes nicely with the tomato-ey eggs, and you can wash it all down with a cup of chai.
Quick recipe idea: For the authentic experience try this eggcellent Shakshuka recipe by Chef Tariq. It is ready within 30 minutes!
Time-saving hack: If you are short on time, use Kaiser Plain Paratha for this combo. The parathas just need a few minutes in the skillet before they are ready to enjoy.
Concluding words …
Indian flatbreads are a great way to enjoy curries, kebabs, or meat leftovers in your fridge. We have just given you a few suggestions – as long as you love food, there are plenty more things you can experiment with.
And that’s a wrap! For more exciting meal ideas check out other Kaiser Foodline products and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for a slice of inspiration!