Make soft, thin jowar Roti or sorghum roti with this easy to follow recipe with tips!

Jowar roti is an easy to make gluten-free roti with this step-by-step Jowar Roti recipe. It can be rolled out thin like a roti or kept a little thicker like a Bhakri.

It is an unleavened Indian flatbread that is vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan.

It is a healthy alternative grain for roti instead of wheat flour. It’s gluten-free so perfect for those looking for Indian gluten-free diet recipes

What is jowar roti?

Jowar roti, jolada roti, or jowar bhakri is made with sorghum flour.  Sorghum flour is made by grinding whole grain sorghum into a fine powder It is a type of millet.  Millets are popular and healthy grains used often in Indian cooking.  

In addition to being gluten-free, sorghum flour is also a healthier alternative to wheat flour.

Sorghum is a rich source of essential vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin B6. It is also an excellent source of fiber, which can help improve digestion and regulate blood sugar levels. 

According to a study by NIH, sorghum flour has a lower glycemic index than whole wheat flour. Jowar ki roti is a great way to incorporate sorghum millet into your diet.

Other popular millets are bajra which you can use to make bajra roti or ragi for ragi roti and more millet rotis.

You may have heard it referred to as jawarichi bhakri, jawar ke roti, or jolada rotti.

Ingredients

Let’s break down the ingredients and their roles in making delicious jowar roti:

    Sorghum Flour (Jowar Flour):  Fine sorghum flour is the best type of flour for a perfect jowar roti.

    Salt: A few pinches of salt is added to enhance the flavor of the healthy roti. It’s essential for balancing the overall taste of the flatbread. You can skip it if you prefer not to use it, but I think it makes a difference.

    Oil: A small quantity of oil is usually added to the dough. Oil helps in improving the texture of the dough, making it more pliable and easy to work with. It also contributes to the overall flavor and moisture content of the roti.

    Water: You need warm water or hot water to make dough when using a gluten-free grain. Adding water gradually while kneading the dough ensures that the correct consistency is achieved.  

    Ghee: Ghee, a type of clarified butter, is often brushed onto the roti while cooking. It adds richness and flavor to the flatbread. Ghee also helps prevent the roti from becoming dry during the cooking process.

Variations

If you add a few spices, you can make a tasty masala jowar roti.

How To Make Jowar Roti

Mixing: Place pot on the stove and add one cup water, salt, and ghee.

Ghee makes roti soft and easier to roll out.

Let water come to a boil, turn off the heat, and add the sorghum flour. Let it sit untouched for 2-3 minutes. Then mix the dough.

Resting: Cover and let sit for 10 minutes.

Kneading: The dough should then be uncovered and transferred to a work surface.  Make sure it is near room temperature before touching and burning yourself.

Knead the dough well for 5 minutes. You will get a soft dough.

Dividing and shaping: Divide dough into equal portions (dough balls).

Sprinkle a little jowar flour and coat the dough.

Dust the flour on a flat surface and the dough to roll the roti using a rolling pin, roll it with a very soft hand 

Rolling: Roll out the dough into a round shape on a rolling board.  Optionally, use the lid of a pot to make a perfect circle if you want (not needed). 

I used the lid of a pot as a cookie cutter to get the perfect circle.

Cooking: On a warm tawa add the roti on medium heat. Spread a little water on top. After 30 seconds to 1 minute, you’ll see very small bubbles.  Then, flip the roti to cook the other side with a pair of tongs. 

Lightly press down to help the roti fluff up. Flip and cook on each side again, either on tawa or directly on flame. You will see light brown spots.

Serve

Once cooked, spread a little ghee and serve right away.

Tips For Best Roti

New flour is key!! Use the Jowar flour within 2-3 weeks of buying. The older the flour the more difficult it is to make soft rotis.

Boil water: The dough is formed in a pot to help incorporate ingredients and form a good dough.

Rest: Give the dough time to rest, this will help form a softer dough.

Cover: Don’t forget to cover the dough as you are making the rotis one by one to prevent them from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

This gluten-free flatbread pairs well with a variety of dishes

1. Vegetable Curries:

2. Dal (Lentil Dishes):

3. Paneer Dishes:

Storing Roti

Immediate Consumption: Jowar roti is best enjoyed when it’s freshly cooked. If you plan to eat it right away, simply keep it covered with a cloth or in a clean towel to retain its warmth and softness.

Here are some steps you can follow to store it:

1. Short-Term Storage: If you have leftover jowar roti that you want to store for a day or two, follow these steps:
   • Allow the roti to cool down completely to room temperature before storing it.
   • Place them in an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps them from becoming dry.

2. Refrigeration: If you need to store this healthy millet roti for a longer period, you can refrigerate it. Follow these steps:
   • Allow the rotis to cool completely.
   • Wrap the rotis in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect them from absorbing odors from the refrigerator.
   • Place the wrapped rotis in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags to provide an extra layer of protection.
   • Store the container or bags in the refrigerator. Jowar rotis can usually be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

3. Freezing: For even longer storage, you can freeze jowar roti. Here’s how:
   • Allow the rotis to cool down completely.
   • Place a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap between each roti to prevent sticking.
   • Stack the rotis and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
   • Place the wrapped stack of rotis in a freezer-safe resealable bag or airtight container.
   • Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of the storage time.
   • Frozen jowar rotis can be stored for up to a few weeks.

Reheating Jowar Roti

• If refrigerated, you can reheat them by placing them on a hot tawa or skillet for a short time on each side until they are heated through.

• If frozen, thaw the rotis in the refrigerator overnight before reheating them as mentioned above.

It’s important to note that while storing jowar roti, its texture might change slightly due to the absence of moisture or the freezing process.