Pol Roti (Sri Lankan Coconut Flatbread)
Local name: පොල් රොටි
In short: Thick, soft flatbreads made from wheat flour, fresh coconut, onion and green chili, cooked in a dry pan and eaten with sambol. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Pol roti is the everyday bread of Sri Lanka, made from wheat flour and a generous handful of grated coconut, with chopped onion, green chili and curry leaves worked into the dough. There is no yeast and no rolling pin: the dough is pressed flat by hand and cooked in a dry pan until it has brown spots. Eat it hot for breakfast or tea with lunu miris, pol sambol or any curry.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, coconut, onion, green chilies, curry leaves and salt in a large bowl. Rub everything together with your fingertips so the coconut moisture spreads through the flour.
- Add the warm water a little at a time, mixing until you have a firm, slightly crumbly dough. Knead for 3 minutes until it holds together, then rest it for 15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls. Flatten each one with your palm on a lightly floured surface into a disc about 12 cm (5 in) across and 6 mm (1/4 in) thick.
- Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat with no oil. Cook each roti for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until it has golden-brown spots and feels cooked through.
- Stack the cooked rotis in a clean cloth to keep them soft. Serve warm with lunu miris, pol sambol or curry.
Tips
- The dough is stiff, so press it with your hands instead of a rolling pin. If the edges crack, dampen your fingers and smooth them.
- Brush the hot rotis lightly with coconut oil for extra softness and flavor, and wrap them in a cloth while you cook the rest.
Questions and answers
Can I use desiccated coconut for pol roti?
Yes. Soak 100 g (1 1/4 cups) unsweetened desiccated coconut in 4 to 5 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes, then use it as you would fresh coconut.
What is pol roti served with?
Lunu miris (onion and chili relish), pol sambol, seeni sambol or a curry. It is eaten at breakfast and with tea.
Can I freeze pol roti?
Yes. Freeze cooked rotis for up to 2 months and reheat them in a dry skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side.
How long does it take to make Pol Roti (Sri Lankan Coconut Flatbread)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pol Roti (Sri Lankan Coconut Flatbread)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 50 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
