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    Home » Flatbread » Vegan Roti Canai

    Homemade Roti Canai | Vegan Roti Paratha

    Published: Jul 14, 2021 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by Pavani · 28 Comments

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    Vegan roti canai recipe is a rich, buttery and flaky Malaysian flatbread made with plant based ingredients. This is served with a delicious curry dipping sauce or sprinkle with sugar for breakfast.

    Traditionally, roti canai or roti paratha is made with all purpose flour, copious amounts of ghee or clarified butter and eggs. But in my version I use part whole-wheat pastry flour and vegan butter. The resulting flat bread is still rich but so much nicer on the waist.

    hand holding flaky Malaysian roti canai

    Table of contents

    • About the Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like

    About the Recipe

    I love trying different cuisines and often end up at restaurants that serve specialty cuisines. In that quest, we found a really good Penang restaurant when we lived in New Jersey. The food was amazing but unfortunately they had quite a few dishes that were not vegan/ vegetarian.

    Since I love making international vegetarian recipes right in my kitchen, I decided to make the addictive combo of roti canai with Malaysian curry sauce. Malaysian cuisine is influenced by the multi-ethnic composition of its population. Indians are one of the 3 major ethnic groups along with Malays and Chinese. This combo of roti with curry reflects the Indian cuisine influence.

    Roti canai (pronounced as cha-nai) is the most popular Malaysian flatbread. Mamak stalls (or Muslim-Indian) street vendors made these famous all over Malaysia.

    They are also called roti paratha or roti prata and are very similar to South Indian Kerala parotta. But the Malaysian version is much richer, crispier and flakier. Made with all purpose flour and lots of ghee (clarified butter), they are sinfully rich and delicious.

    blue plate with a stack of roti canai

    But to make them slightly guilt-free, my vegetarian version does not use as much ghee and I also skip the eggs. Also to keep it vegan I use vegan butter instead. I sub some of the all purpose flour with whole-wheat pastry flour to add some fiber.

    Serve the roti with Malaysian curry sauce for a delicious meal. Do give this addictive combo a try, I am sure you will love it as much as we did.

    Blue plate with a stack of Roti Canai

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make my vegan roti canai recipe:

    • Flour - I use a combination of all purpose flour and whole-wheat pastry flour. Usually this recipe is made entirely with all purpose flour. So, if you want to go that route, then skip the wheat flour.
    • Butter - I use vegan butter to make this recipe 100% vegan. But feel free to use ghee or clarified butter for the authentic taste.
    • Salt & sugar - add flavor to the flatbread.
    Ingredients needed - details in recipe card

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make this popular Malaysian roti recipe:

    In a large mixing bowl, combine all purpose flour & whole-wheat pastry flour, sugar and salt. Mix well to combine. Add the butter and using your fingers or a fork, rub the butter into the flour to make a clumpy mixture.

    Add enough water to make a cohesive dough. Knead until the dough is soft and pliable. Cover and let the dough rest for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.

    Step by step photos showing the mixing of ingredients for the dough

    When ready to make the roti, divide the dough into 6 equal size balls. Work with one dough ball at a time and keep the rest covered. On a lightly greased work surface, roll out the dough into a thin sheet using a rolling pin.

    Brush the dough with butter and keep rolling until you have a very thin, almost transparent, sheet of dough. It is OK if the dough rips as you roll it out.

    Forming dough balls and rolling out into a thin disc

    Once you are happy with the rolled out dough, fold the side edges over to meet in the center. Then fold the top edges to make it like an envelope.

    Another way to making roti canai is the pleated round method. Roll out the dough as thin as possible. Once the dough is as thin as you can get, brush a layer of oil and pleat the dough like you would a sari. Then roll the pleat up tightly into a ball. Gently flatten the rolls balls and roll out into a paratha/ roti making sure not to squash the layers.

    Place the rolled out roti paratha on a baking sheet and cover with kitchen towel to prevent drying out. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.

    Shaping roti canai - details in the recipe card

    Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle on medium heat. Gently place the roti on the hot pan and cook until golden on both sides. Lightly press the dough while cooking to evenly cook it.

    Cooking Malaysian roti paratha on a pan

    Place the cooked roti on a plate and cover with kitchen towel while you cook the remaining. Serve hot with curry dipping sauce.

    Expert Tips

    • If you don't want to make vegan roti canai, then make this recipe the traditional way, use all purpose flour and ghee (clarified butter).
    • Make sure to knead the dough well until soft and pliable. If you have a stand mixer, then use it for best results.
    • Use butter while rolling the dough. This helps in rolling out as thin as you can.
    • If the dough resists rolling, then cover and set it aside for 10 minutes. This will relax the gluten and will help with the rolling.
    • Roti canai are best eaten hot on the day they are made.

    You might also like

    Here are a few delicious curry recipes that will go well with this vegetarian Roti Canai:

    • Indian Paneer Curry Recipe with Beans
    • Malaysia -- Vegetarian Curry with Coconut Milk
    • Instant Pot Lahori Dum Aloo Recipe
    • Sri Lankan Egg Curry Recipe
    Blue plate with a plate of roti canai topped with potato curry sauce

    I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.

    Blue plate with a stack of roti canai

    Roti Canai

    This is a rich and flaky flatbread from Malaysia. My recipe is a little healthier with the use of whole-wheat pastry flour and far less butter than the traditional recipe.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Resting Time:: 2 hrs
    Total Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
    Course: breads
    Cuisine: malaysian
    Servings: 6 roti

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup All purpose flour
    • 1 cup Whole-wheat pastry flour*
    • 3 tablespoons Vegan Butter*, at room temperature, plus more for rolling and cooking
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • ¾ cup Water, plus more if needed
    • To taste Salt

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl, combine all purpose flour & whole-wheat pastry flour, sugar and salt. Mix well to combine. Add the butter and using your fingers or a fork, rub the butter into the flour to make a clumpy mixture. Add the water and mix well to make a cohesive dough. Add more water as needed, if the dough looks too dry. Knead for 8~10 minutes until the dough is soft and pliable. Cover and let the dough rest for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
    • When ready to make the roti, divide the dough into 6 equal size balls. Work with one dough ball at a time and keep the rest covered. On a lightly greased work surface, roll out the dough into a thin sheet using a rolling pin. Brush the dough with butter and keep rolling until you have a very thin, almost transparent, sheet of dough. It is OK if the dough rips as you roll it out.
      Once you are happy with the rolled out dough, fold the side edges over to meet in the center. Then fold the top edges to make it like an envelope.
    • Alternately, roll out the dough as thin as possible. Once the dough is as thin as you can get, brush a layer of oil and pleat the dough like you would a sari. Then roll the pleat up tightly into a ball. Gently flatten the rolls balls and roll out into a paratha/ roti making sure not to squash the layers.
    • Place the rolled out roti paratha on a baking sheet and cover with kitchen towel to prevent drying out. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
    • Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle on medium heat. Gently place the roti on the hot pan and cook until golden on both sides. Lightly press the dough while cooking to evenly cook it. Place the cooked roti on a plate and cover with kitchen towel while you cook the remaining. Serve hot with curry sauce.

    Notes

    • To make this recipe the traditional way, use all purpose flour and ghee (clarified butter).
    • Make sure to knead the dough well until soft and pliable. Use a stand mixer, if you have it, to ensure that the dough is well kneaded.
    • Use butter while rolling the dough. This helps in rolling out as thin as you can.
    • If the dough resists rolling, then cover and set it aside for 10 minutes. This will relax the gluten and will help with the rolling.
    • Roti canai are best eaten hot on the day they are made.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Roti | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Srivalli

      September 02, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Ah I love your pictures and roti canai is such an addictive dish I am sure..:)

      Reply
    2. PJ

      September 02, 2015 at 1:17 pm

      The platter looks very inviting Pavani.Am in love with that last pic...

      Reply
    3. Usha Rao

      September 02, 2015 at 1:40 pm

      We too love Penang, specially the one in Philadelphia. The one in NY is not as good as the one in Philadelphia though, at least the one we go to in upper west side. I always thought roti canai is complicated to prepare. Your version seems so easy.. 🙂 I considered this combo for this BM and just the preparation of canai daunted me. I will give it a try sometime.

      Reply
    4. Sapana Behl

      September 02, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      That is a wonderful combo .The roti canai looks really so rustic and flaky.

      Reply
    5. The Pumpkin Farm

      September 02, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      smart choice...i agree the roti canai looks a lot like the kerala or malabari parotta....and the curry looks beautiful

      Reply
    6. Gayathri's Cook Spot

      September 03, 2015 at 8:22 am

      This is so much like our parotta. Combining it with the curry must have tasted awesome..

      Reply
    7. Gayathri's Cook Spot

      September 03, 2015 at 10:48 am

      Delicious roti. And as usual awesome pictures..

      Reply
    8. Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi

      September 03, 2015 at 10:53 am

      Beautiful and tempting pictures, Pavani. That is a very tempting combo.

      Reply
    9. rekhas kitchen

      September 03, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      Wow what an interesting combo, combination sounds very delicious..

      Reply
    10. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan

      September 04, 2015 at 4:08 pm

      Great malayasian combo.

      Reply
    11. Priya Suresh

      September 06, 2015 at 8:05 am

      Even i was planning for roti canai but i went for roti prata from Singapore, that curry sauce sounds prefect pair to relish this delicious roti.

      Reply
    12. vaishali sabnani

      September 07, 2015 at 3:17 am

      Book marked instantly. the rotis look so nice and the combo is truly awesome.

      Reply
    13. Sandhiya

      September 07, 2015 at 12:10 pm

      As usual , lovely pics..The platter looks inviting and it must be delicious.

      Reply
    14. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      September 08, 2015 at 3:15 am

      roti canai is my fave and a must whenever I eat out Malaysian - yes I once saw it being made at a festival and there is a lot of grease used for the flaky layers - your healthier version looks just as good

      Reply
    15. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      September 08, 2015 at 3:15 am

      roti canai is my fave and a must whenever I eat out Malaysian - yes I once saw it being made at a festival and there is a lot of grease used for the flaky layers - your healthier version looks just as good

      Reply
    16. Archana Potdar

      September 11, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Pavani I had my eye on roti canai but with my famous rolling skills I did not dare to try it. Your roti seems doable. Fingers n toes crossed

      Reply
    17. Priya Srinivasan

      September 13, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      Looks so delicious pavani. I m definitely making this combo foe kids!!

      Reply
    18. sneha datar

      September 14, 2015 at 9:30 am

      A delicious combo.

      Reply
    19. Suma Gandlur

      September 18, 2015 at 10:00 pm

      Lovely combo there. I had planned to make this but backed out since the process seemed tedious.

      Reply
    20. Nivedhanams Sowmya

      October 02, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      so much like our parotta!! looks so tempting and a perfect combo!!!

      Reply
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