Artificial Food Coloring Free Vegan Roti (Chapati)
Warm, soft, and slightly charred from the flame, this flatbread is the kind of thing that disappears from the table before you even sit down. Made with just whole wheat flour, salt, oil, and water, it's about as clean and straightforward as a recipe gets — no dyes, no additives, no ingredient list that requires a magnifying glass. That simplicity is exactly what makes it such a relief for anyone navigating artificial coloring concerns, since even packaged flatbreads and tortillas can sneak in unnecessary colorants or "natural flavor" blends that aren't so natural after all. The technique here is the real magic: a quick rest lets the dough relax into something silky and pliable, and a few seconds over an open flame coaxes that dramatic, satisfying puff. Each roti comes off the heat speckled with dark char spots and tender enough to fold around whatever you're serving. A light brush of vegan butter at the end keeps them soft and glossy while the stack stays warm under a towel. This is the kind of everyday bread that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 cups whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- ¾ cup warm water, plus more as needed
- 1 tsp vegan butter, for brushing (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together the whole wheat flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, slightly damp sand.
- 2
Pour in the warm water gradually, stirring with a fork or your hand, until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth, soft, and slightly tacky — it should spring back slowly when pressed with a finger. If the dough tears or feels stiff, add water 1 tsp at a time; if it sticks to your hands, dust lightly with flour.
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