Amritsari Aloo Kulcha is one of the most popular versions of kulchas made from the town of Amritsar, Punjabi. The old lanes and streets of Amritsar are famous for their bread and the different dishes sold there. One would obviously not miss out to enjoy this combination of stuffed Amritsari Kulche with Amritsari Chhole!
I already have the Amritsari Aloo Kulcha on the blog and though this recipe I am going to share today is almost similar, I knew I had missed out on an important factor even if the recipe I followed had those instructions. The layers that form from the layering are done to the outer flour layer.
Ever since I realized it, I have been wanting to recreate the same Aloo Kulcha recipe and felt this Mega BM would be the apt one to make it again. This time I read through several sources to see what the recipe says and the result was applying all that in the recipe for today. The stuffing is almost the same except for adding some more spices.
I had planned it for a dinner and wanted to make sure I serve a proper Amritsari Chole with the side condiments as well. We loved the kulcha that turned out exactly as how it is supposed to be, crispy on the outer side and soft and spongy on the inner side. Kneading doesn't take much time, the layering and resting take the maximum time.
My kids loved it so much and wanted me to repeat this soon. The chole and the chutneys on the side were so wonderful when paired with these buttery kulchas.
Whats the difference between a Naan and a Kulcha?
Well, there is always this confusion on how a Naan differs from a Kulcha. I had read a lot about these and concluded people over years have been using these terms interchangeably and both are almost similar.
Naans are typically made with Yeast, while Kulcha uses Baking Soda and Baking powder for the leavening agent. Some Kulchas use old kulcha dough for fermentation too. Naans are always made oval in shape, while a kulcha is round.
Both have different stuffings done and can also be cooked over tawa however, traditionally these are baked over Tandoori Oven.
I have a huge collection of Naans and Kulchas. Have cooked Kulchas in different ways. I have made Naan at home in three different ways. Finally, all my research over the years has led me to believe that whatever name these are called, the bread is an absolute delight to enjoy, be it at home or outside.
After so many years of relentless pursuit to know how each bread differs, I rest my case and conclude that everything tastes wonderful, and yes the time we spend making these at home are the best when your family raves over it! By the time I complete this meal it was way beyond night still I was feeling so happy at achieving something so wonderful in my kitchen!
So read about the painstaking method of making Amritsari Aloo Kulcha for the Punjabi Kulcha Thali at home, I share yet another delightful stuffed bread on SYL.
This Kulcha tastes great with the Chole, Pudina Raita, and Pyaz Imli ki Chutney.
Thalis & Platters
Week 1 - Platters for Elders
Indo Chinese Platter for Day 1
Idli Platter for Day 2
Pakoda Platter for Day 3
Colourful Rangoli Food Thali for Day 4
Week 2 - Thalis featuring Non Veg Regional Cuisines - Non Veg Thali
Chicken Donne Biryani - Non-Veg Thali 1 for Day 1
Raju gari Kodi Pulao - Non Veg Thali 2 for Day 2
Mutton Biryani - Non Veg Thali 3 for Day 3
Mutton Dum Biryani - Non Veg Thali 4 for Day 4
Fish Curry - Non Veg Thali 5 for Day 5
Prawns Curry - Non Veg Thali 5 for Day 6
Week 3 - Thalis featuring Indian Flatbreads
Banarasi Kachori aur Sabzi Thali for Day 1
Bengali Dhakai Paratha Nasta Thali for Day 2
Bihari Chana Dal Puri aur Sabji Nasta Thali for Day 3
Gujarati Dhebra aur Sabzi Thali for Day 4
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Learn how to make Amritsari Kulcha with step by step pictures.
Step By Step Pictures for making Aloo Kulcha
Ingredients used for Making Aloo Kulcha
For the outer layer
While there may be recipes for amritsari kulcha recipe with wheat flour, the traditional recipe only has All purpose flour in it.
All Purpose flour or maida is used for the outer layer that is leavened with baking soda and baking powder. This results in a soft chewy texture and the different layers done with ghee and flour in between the layers results in the outer layer being crispy.
Maybe for health reasons and if even you often make these stuffed kulcha recipe, then you can have a mix of wheat flour and maida for the aloo kulcha home cooking style recipe.
For the Stuffing
As we are stuffing inside, we have to make sure the aloo is dry. Wet stuffing will result in the aloo coming out.
Once you stuff it, you can rest the balls for 5 mins for everything to settle down.
For Cooking the Kulcha over stovetop.
As all of us won't have tandoor oven, we can stick the kulchas over hot tawa and tilt it over hot flame. Once the top browns, remove and apply butter over it.
Another method is making aloo kulcha in cooker. Similar to the aloo kulcha on tawa recipe, you can wet one side on the top and stick to the inner side of cooker and cook it. This will also result in a perfect crispy layered aloo Kulcha.
Serving Suggestions
The best aloo kulcha side dish will be a Chole masala! While the stuffed kulchas tastes good on its own, or with just curds and pickle, serving it with Amritsari Chole, Pyaz Imli ki Chutney and Pudina Raita takes it to a new different level. End this meal with a sinful Gulab Phirni and you are in heaven!
Recipe
Amritsari Aloo Kulcha | How to make Stuffed Aloo Kulcha
Ingredients
For the Kulcha dough:
- 2 cups All purpose flour / Maida
- Salt to taste
- A Pinch Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 cup Curds / Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 2 to 3 tbsp Ghee for rubbing
- 1/3 cup Water warm for kneading the dough
For the potato stuffing:
- 2 cups Potatoes
- 1 tsp Coriander Seeds
- 2 nos Green Chilies finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger grated
- 1 tsp Carom Seeds / Ajwain
- Handful Coriander Leaves finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp Black Salt / Kala Namak
- Salt to taste
- 1.5 tsp Red Chili powder
- 3/4 tsp Cumin Powder roasted
- 1 tsp Amchur Powder / Dry Mango Powder
- 1 tsp Anardana Powder / Dry Pomegranate seed powder
- 1/2 cup Onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp Kasuri Methi crushed
For making the kulcha:
- Water as required for applying on kulcha
- All purpose flour as required for kneading, dusting and rolling
- Ghee for cooking you can use butter as well
Instructions
How to make kulcha dough
- In a wide bowl, take the maida, baking soda, sugar, salt, and yogurt and mix well.
- Slowly add warm water and knead to a soft and stiff dough.
- Once you get the dough, add the ghee/butter and knead for another 5 to 7 mins.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set aside for 30 minutes.
- Once the dough is rested for 30 minutes, transfer the dough to a rolling sheet.
- You can use a large plate if you don't have the sheet or use the counter top.
- Knead the dough again for few minutes, then flatted the dough into a rectangle of about 1/2 inch thickness.
- Spread 1 to 2 tbsp of ghee on top and sprinkle with some dry flour. Make sure you apply the ghee all over the top.
- Starting from your left side, fold 1/3rd of the dough inwards lengthwise to the center.
- Apply ghee and flour and spread evenly.
- From the right side, fold other 1/3rd part and place on the already folded part.
- Again apply ghee and flour and spread all over.
- You will have a long rectangle sheet. Again repeat the ghee and flour.
- Now press the folded dough with your fingers and flatten it again.
- From the bottom, fold to half. Press down and apply ghee and flour.
- From the top bring it forward and cover the already folded part.
- You will have a square sheet on hand.
- Apply ghee and flour and press down.
- Once you are done, gather from the below and top and form a log.
- Tightly roll down as a log now.
- Pinch on the sides to make sure it is closed on both the sides.
- Using a sharp knife, divide the dough into 6 to 8 smaller portions.
- Keep it covered while you get the stuffing ready.
How to make potato stuffing
- Wash and slash the potatoes.
- Peel and mash the boiled potatoes in a bowl and add the other ingredients to it and mix well.
- Stuffing is ready. Divide into equal balls. Keep it aside.
Rolling out the aloo kulcha
- Dust the working sheet with some dry flour.
- Take one dough ball and flatten on the sides.
- Place the stuffing in the center and gather the sides to completely enclose the filling.
- Slightly flatten and dust the balls.
- Press down some finely chopped coriander leaves and kalonji.
- Using a rolling pin, roll it gently into a 7 to 8 inch disc.
- Make sure you dust the pin well and press it gently.
- Make similar discs with the rest of the dough.
How to cook aloo kulcha on stove
- When you want to make the kulchas on the stove top, you can wet your hands and grease over one side of the kulcha.
- Place the water applied part of the kulch over the hot tawa and let it stick well.
- Cook the kulcha over hot flame, when you see the bubbles over the top, turn it over high flame and let it brown well.
- Remove the kulcha from pan and brush with melted butter or ghee.
- Remove and slightly crush the cooked hot khulas for the layers to open up.
- Amritsari Aloo kulcha is ready.
- Serve it hot stuffed Aloo Kulcha with Amritsari Chole.
How to bake aloo kulcha
- Preheat your oven to 200°C
- Line a couple of baking trays with the parchment paper.
- Arrange rolled kulchas on the prepared trays.
- Bake them in a preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes or until kulchas are golden brown in color.
- Remove them from the oven and apply ghee/butter on top. Serve hot.
Notes
The layering is needed to make these kulchas flaky, so be liberal with ghee
Pat the kulchas with your palms for the layers to separate.
For other recipes from Amritsar:
You can even serve these kulchas with Aloo Peas Paneer Masala
For a twist with Kulcha dough, you can make this 3 ingredient Pizza with Kulcha dough
Suma Gandlur says
My kids and I kept ordering these kulchas whenever we visited any eatery during our Amritsar visit. My daughter has been requesting me for these for the past two months and I am hesitant to try them even after watching loads of videos because of the work involved in it. I wish if i could grab them from screen and give it to her. 🙂
Vaishali says
Valli after eating these kulchas at Monu de Kulche in Amritsar , I wanted to recreate them . I got the basic recipe from the dhabba and made these kulchas for one of the BM’s !
The layered dough acts like a pastry and the kulchas come out absolutely fantastic. Glad you tried these and the kids too enjoyed .
Ultimate kulchas ! And a Super Duper menu !
Harini Rupanagudi says
An absolutely fantastic and filling menu and those layered kulchas look sinful.
Srividhya says
I too had this confusion between naan and kulcha and I learned the same difference and that's what you have mentioned also. Love this recipe and thanks for that detailed layering pictures.
PS - Finally I am able to rate and no scrolling issues. (touchwood)
Renu says
I always wanted to make this but somehow never made this. Probably due to the aloo stuffing inside maida and I always ended up making it plain. I love how you are making it on the open flame, wish could enjoy it