Shelpek (Kazakh Fried Flatbread)
Local name: шелпек
In short: Thin, golden Kazakh flatbreads fried in shallow oil until blistered and crisp at the edges, eaten warm with tea, butter or jam. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Shelpek are thin round flatbreads fried in a little oil until blistered, crisp at the edges and soft in the middle. They are a quick, everyday cousin of baursak in Kazakh homes, made in minutes from a simple dough with no rising. They are eaten warm with tea, sour cream, butter, honey or jam. Roll them very thin so they puff in the pan, because thick dough turns dense and heavy.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder in a bowl. Add the egg, warm milk and melted butter and stir to a dough. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth and soft.
- Cover and rest for 20 minutes so the dough relaxes and is easy to roll.
- Divide the dough into 12 balls. Roll each into a circle 15 to 18 cm (6 to 7 in) wide and about 3 mm (1/8 in) thick. Prick all over with a fork.
- Heat about 1.5 cm (1/2 in) of oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat to about 175°C (350°F), until a scrap of dough sizzles at once.
- Fry the flatbreads one at a time for about 1 minute per side, until puffed, blistered and golden. Press them down gently if they puff too much.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with tea, butter, honey, jam or sour cream.
Tips
- Keep the oil hot but not smoking. If it is too cool the shelpek soak up oil and turn greasy, and if it is too hot they burn before they cook through.
- Replace half the milk with kefir or buttermilk for a softer, slightly sour dough. Rolling thin is more important than the exact recipe.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between shelpek and baursak?
Both are fried Kazakh breads. Baursak is made from yeast dough cut into small pieces that puff into balls, while shelpek is rolled thin and fried as a flat round.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Keep the dough wrapped in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bring it to room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling.
How do I keep shelpek soft?
Stack the cooked flatbreads under a clean towel while you fry the rest, and eat them within an hour.
How long does it take to make Shelpek (Kazakh Fried Flatbread)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shelpek (Kazakh Fried Flatbread)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
