Bolani (Afghan Potato Stuffed Flatbread)
Local name: بولانی
In short: Thin pan-fried flatbreads stuffed with spiced mashed potato and spring onion, crisp outside, soft inside, eaten with yogurt. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Bolani are thin flatbreads folded around a savory filling and fried until crisp, a favorite street snack and a staple of Afghan home cooking. The potato and spring onion filling here is the most common, flavored with coriander, chili and cumin. The dough is sturdy but tender, so it folds easily. Serve warm with plain yogurt or a green chutney, cut into wedges for sharing.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt, then stir in the water and oil. Knead for 5 minutes to a smooth, soft dough. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until tender. Drain, mash until smooth and cool completely.
- Mix the cooled potato with the spring onions, coriander, salt, chili flakes and cumin.
- Divide the dough into 6 balls. Roll each into a thin circle about 22 cm (9 in) wide.
- Spread one sixth of the filling over half of each circle, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 in) border. Brush the edge with water, fold the other half over and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Fry the bolani for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and blistered, adding oil as needed. Keep the cooked ones warm.
- Cut into wedges and serve hot with yogurt or chutney.
Tips
- Cool the potato filling completely before you spread it. Warm filling steams the dough and makes it soft and prone to tearing.
- Pumpkin, leek or lentil fillings are also traditional. Cook pumpkin until dry before using, so it does not make the dough wet.
Questions and answers
Can I make bolani ahead of time?
Fill and fold them up to 4 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, or freeze them uncooked for 2 months. Fry from frozen over lower heat.
Can I bake bolani?
Yes. Brush them with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp than the fried ones.
Is bolani vegan?
Yes, as written, if you skip the yogurt. Serve with a green chutney or a squeeze of lemon instead.
How long does it take to make Bolani (Afghan Potato Stuffed Flatbread)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bolani (Afghan Potato Stuffed Flatbread)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 550 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
