15+ Best Paratha (Indian flatbread) Recipes
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Have you had flaky parathas before? They are pan-fried, crispy, filling Indian flatbreads that are perfect for any time of the day. Try making one today from this list of 15+ different types of Indian paratha recipes ranging from onion parathas to the very popular aloo parathas.
What is paratha?
Parathas or paranthas are these flaky flatbreads that are commonly made in north Indian homes. Made and served with homemade ghee or butter, parathas stuffed with veggies, spices, cheese, and sometimes ground meat are a true gastronomic delight.
While it is similar to rotis or chapatis, as they are both unleavened flat bread made from whole wheat flour, the difference lies in how it is rolled.
Parathas are made by rolling out the dough into a circle, and then it is smeared with ghee and then folded and rolled again. It is then cooked in ghee till golden brown spots appear on both sides of the parathas. This creates crispy and flaky layers in cooked parathas that make them hard to resist. On the other hand, rotis are rolled once and pan-fried.
While parathas and naan are all varieties of Indian bread, the most distinct difference between the two is parathas are made from whole wheat flour while naan is made from maida or all-purpose flour.
Types of paratha
There are also two types of paratha: layered or stuffed. Layered parathas have spices or fillings added while making the dough, whereas stuffed parathas such as this aloo or paneer paratha have stuffings filled in during the rolling process.
Stuffed parathas are perfect for when you want a hearty breakfast or brunch. Plain parathas or layered parathas are often served with curries and dals and sometimes even for snacks along with evening tea.
Note: While frozen parathas are available in Indian grocery stores, the taste of homemade parathas is hard to beat. If you haven’t made parathas before, start with the plain paratha recipe below. As you build up your paratha-making skills, you can do a few layered parathas before you try the stuffed parathas.
Ready to get started? Check out this collection of 15+ different types of healthy paratha recipes that are perfect for breakfast, lunch/dinner, and snacks.
Layered paratha recipes
Plain paratha (Basic Indian flatbread)
This is an easy paratha recipe for you to get started with. The step-by-step photos in this post will teach you how to make round, square, and triangular parathas in no time.
Laccha paratha (Layered Indian flatbread)
Master making lachha or lachedar paratha with this easy recipe. Beautifully layered, this crispy and flaky flatbread comes together with five simple ingredients. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or served alongside dals, curries, and more, this buttery Indian flatbread satisfies everyone!
Malabar / Kerala parotta
Malabar parotta is a South-Indian version of the laccha paratha but made with all-purpose flour that makes it super flaky and crispy. It tastes great with South Indian curries and stews.
Ajwain paratha (Carom seeds flatbread)
This fragrant Indian flatbread made with carom seeds and whole wheat flour is a delicious twist on the plain paratha. Have it for lunch with curries or for evening snacks with tea – it tastes great either way.
Masala paratha (Spiced flatbread)
Flavorful and flaky, this masala paratha recipe makes a hearty breakfast, filling lunch, or satiating snack. With variations for both paratha and roti, this spiced Indian flatbread is sure to hit the spot.
Methi paratha (Fenugreek flatbread)
If you like methi theplas, you’ll enjoy this variety of paratha made from methi (fenugreek leaves). The fragrant methi leaves make these healthy parathas a gastronomic experience that you won’t soon forget.
Palak paratha (Spinach parathas)
This healthy paratha loaded with spinach is an easy and delicious way to include leafy greens in your diet.
Kuttu paratha (Buckwheat paratha)
Gluten-free parathas made with buckwheat flour, potatoes & paneer- the kuttu paratha is mildly spiced and perfect to be enjoyed for breakfast or lunch!
Mint paratha
Go leftover mint? Turn them into these flaky mint parathas. They taste great with curries and dal or for breakfast/snacks with masala tea.
Dal paratha
This paratha is an easy way to repurpose leftover dal lying in the refrigerator.
Stuffed paratha recipes
Aloo paratha (Spiced potato parathas)
This Indian flatbread made with spiced mashed potatoes is the perfect way to start your day. Pack it for lunch or savor it for brunch – this filling, healthy meal is perfect for any time of the day.
Pyaaz paratha (Onion paratha)
Filled with onions and aromatic spices, this stuffed onion paratha recipe definitely packs a punch.
Stuffed cheese paratha
This easy cheese paratha recipe is an excellent stuffed paratha recipe for beginners. It is much easier to roll and cook. Serve it with raita, pickle, tomato ketchup, or a delicious paneer curry for a complete meal.
Paneer paratha (Crumbled cottage cheese paratha)
This paneer paratha is a favorite with my kids. What I love most is that it is easy to prep ahead, and it freezes well too.
Gobi Paratha (Grated cauliflower paratha)
Gobhi paratha is a popular flatbread stuffed with spicy cauliflower filling. It’s enjoyed with yogurt, Indian pickles, and some hot cup of chai on the side.
Broccoli carrot paratha
This vegan broccoli carrot paratha is an Indian flatbread filled with spicy broccoli and carrot filling – it is an interesting twist to your regular stuffed parathas.
Equipment needed
You’ll need the following equipment to make parathas
- [Optional but helpful] Stand mixer or food processor
- Metal / Marble / Wood base with a rolling pin (or Chakla Belan in Hindi)
- Tava / Griddle
- Spatula / Turner
- Paper towel
Tips and tricks to make parathas
TIPS
- Knead the dough until it is smooth, soft, and pliable.
- To fix stiff dough, sprinkle a spoonful of water and knead. Add more water as needed until the dough is neither stiff nor sticky.
- Sticky dough? Sprinkle a spoonful of dough and knead. Add more flour as needed until you end up with a non-sticky soft dough.
- Rest the dough to allow time for the gluten to form. This makes it easier to roll out the dough and yields softer parathas.
- Make sure to dust off the dry flour from the rolled dough before frying, or it dries up and turns hard.
- Before storing it in an air-tight container or while packing it for lunch, let the paratha cool down for 5-6 minutes to prevent it from being soggy.
Note: Don’t forget to turn your exhaust fan on when you are making parathas, or else your smoke alarm may go off.
What do you serve with parathas?
Depending on the flatbread, the accompaniments may vary. Here’s a general rule of thumb –
- Layered parathas are often served with curries and dal or side dishes (vegetable or protein-based)
- Stuffed parathas such as aloo paratha and paneer paratha are often served with homemade yogurt, raita, and pickles. You can also serve it with mango lassi, sweet lassi, or a hot cup of ginger or masala tea.
How to prep ahead
If you would like to prep beforehand, I recommend preparing the paratha dough and cooking the actual parathas on the day you plan to serve them. You may store your dough in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 1 month.
Before rolling out your parathas, bring the dough to room temperature. Then divide, roll, and cook.
Storage tips
Refrigerator – Allow your paratha to cool for 5-6 minutes before transferring them to an airtight container. If you can, place parchment paper in between the layers to prevent sticking. They will store like this in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer – Cool your cooked paratha completely before transferring it to the freezer. Separate each one with parchment paper (to prevent sticking) and place it in a freezer bag or container. They will store like this for 2-3 months. Heat to serve.
Reheat – For refrigerated parathas, reheat in a microwave (15-20 seconds) or reheat in a tava / skillet kept over medium heat. If parathas are frozen, use a tava/skillet to reheat for best results.
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