Bhatura or Bhatoora is a deep fried leavened Indian flatbread. We make it with All purpose flour or Maida kneaded with Baking Soda and Curds and deep fried into fluffy, puffed up bread. It is popularly served with Chole or Chana Masala or Chickpea curry, very popular from the Punjabi Cuisine. The traditional combination is called as Chole Bhature.
- Originally posted on May 15, 2008, updated with new pictures and content.
Chhole Bhature or Chana Bhatura is a popular dish made for breakfast or brunch. When North Indian Dishes became popular in Madras way back in 1990s, this was one of those famous dishes made in all restaurants and by street food vendors. My first memory of this dish goes back to the times when we used to visit Woodlands drive-in hotel. They used to serve a huge Bhatura and it was a huge task not to drop anything on ourselves or the car.
One side of the plate you have the puffed Bhatura while one side will have the cup of chole weight. Sadly the Woodlands drive-in is now closed, though the memories still so fresh. Amma later started making it for our Sunday Breakfasts and we used to enjoy it so much.
Traditionally we ferment the dough overnight or for atleast 4 to 5 hours. However these days the popular version includes using a mix of Baking Soda with Curds. Sometimes we can use Baking powder or even Eno as well.
Today's recipe is with just Baking Soda and Curds. I finally made this combo again for taking new pictures that make a delicious Sunday Brunch.
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Ingredients
Flour - We use all purpose flour or maida to make this deep fried flatbread.
Leavening Agent - We use curds along with a pinch of baking soda to leaven the dough.
Water and salt as required.
Instructions to make Bhatura
Bhatura or Batura is a leavened deep fried bread from the family of pooris. We use curds and baking soda to soften the dough.
In a big mixing bowl add Maida, Curd, Soda, and Salt to taste. Mix well. Then add water little by little to form a dough. It should be a little stiff as it will become soft after setting aside for 2 hrs.
Take a muslin cloth, wet it in water, and cover the dough. Keep it aside for two hours.
When ready to serve, knead again, pinch into required size balls, roll and deep fry.
Chana Masala is the most popular side dish for the Bhaturas.
Substitutions & Variations
Bhaturas are simple 3 ingredient dish that doesn't have a substitute, though you can substitute with wheat flour.
Some recipes call for Semolina or Suji mixed with flour. That gives a characteristic crispy chewy taste. I haven't used semolina in my recipe.
For the Leavening Agent, you can use a mix of baking soda or baking power. We can also use Eno.
However, we can't replace curds in this recipe.
For variations you can try Paneer stuffed Bhatura, Quick Bhatura made with potato
Storage
Since this is Leavened bread, the dough gets more fermented if you store. So best is mostly to knead the dough, allow it to rest and make it the same day.
Expert Tips
If you are looking for crispy, puffed up Bhatura, add 1 tbsp semolina to the dough. Once the oil is hot, after dropping the discs, reduce the flame to medium and cook till the sides turn golden colour and flip over. This way, the Bhaturas stay puffed up for a while.
When you drop Bhatura into hot oil, pour some hot oil from the sides for the top to puff up as well.
FAQ
When we cook the Bhatura on low to medium flame and then flip over, the Bhuturas retain their shape.
It is always best to use the dough the same day as the dough is already fermented and turns very chewy if stored for more than a day.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Bhature
Other Side Dishes for Deep Fried Flatbreads can be:
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Recipe
Bhatura Recipe | How to Make Bhature
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour / Maida
- 1 tablespoon Curds / Yogurt
- Salt to taste
- A Pinch Baking Soda / Cooking Soda
- Water as required approx 1/2 cup
Instructions
- In a big mixing bowl add Maida, Curd, Soda, and Salt to taste. Mix well. Then add water little by little to form a dough. It should be a little stiff as it will become soft after setting aside for 2 hrs.
- Take a muslin cloth, wet it in water, and cover the dough. Keep it aside for two hours.
- When you are ready to roll, divide the dough into required sized balls, roll them out into circle shape, dusting it with flour.
- Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry the bhaturas to golden colour.
- Serve hot with Channa Masala garnished with Onion rings and lime.
- Serve Bhatura with Chhole!
Nutrition
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Rachel says
How true..The drive-in was my fav joint even now..there's something about that place...
valli this is my dinner tonight!
arundati says
dear Valli!! thanks for being a dear and linking up for WBB!! virtual hugs coming your way!! you should have the chole bhature from a place in hyd called havmor the next time you have a chance! out of this world....yours look good!!
kamala says
Wow..the bhaturas are so inviting.Wish i could be a next door to u valli
sowmya says
lovely bhaturas...am going to make this weekend...am looking for a recipe for roti mela...yet to decide..
Priya says
and it starts again! First you tempted us with the innumerable dosa recipes and now it roti's 🙁 I think I need to move closer to where you live.
You seem to be maintaining a cool pace at the marathon. Great going so far 🙂 Let me know if you need water bottles handed out in between :))
ranji says
perfect bhaturas srivalli!!!looks really crispy and puffed up..
Shri says
Wow! never known that bhatura can be made at home.Lovely recipe
SASHREE says
wow valli..thatz a gr8 intro to comeup with.gr8 song..i luv kishore da songs.
coming to ur bhature..looking delicious..yummy one..hmm..
Uma says
Yummy bhaturas! I remember eating them in a restaurant. Never tried at home.
Trupti says
nice bhaturas srivalli
Cham says
Looks good ur bhatura never did at home.
Bhags says
bhaturas always seemed to be a messy affair to me , both for eating and cooking...but ur look all fluffy and crisps
Divya Vikram says
love baturas with channa..my fav
Vanamala says
Bhatura looks very nice.
Richa says
can never tire of chole bhature 😉 urs looks so tempting, now i gotta' make it soon!
Siri says
Ok, its 11pm for me, had my dinner.. I am feeling hungry again. all thanks to ur yummy Bhaturs. what shud I do?..Booooo..!!
I added ur bhatura to breakfast section of DH..:D
Hugs,
Siri
Swati Raman Garg says
this reminds me of chacha ke chole bhature in delhi:( and rimjhim gire sawan and many more of Kishore
Da are my fav songs too
Priya Arun says
Hi Srivalli,
As usual a splendid recipe with a gr8 song (my favourite too!!)
Take care,
Priya
Jayashree says
It really is sad that woodlands drive-in got shut down.....
Liked your reminiscences about bhature....the chole looks good.
sra says
Valli, as you know, I love both versions of this song - Lata's and Kishore's. I can't get enough of this song, sometimes, even in hot summer, as I'm discovering.
I've always wondered why hotels give one small, measly katori of chole with such a big bhatoora!
Srivalli says
Rachel, its so sad right...hope you enjoyed!
arundati, thank you so much..its my pleasure! will surely try them when I get a chance!
kamala, anytime you come down, you are most welcome
sowmya, thank you..hope you will come out soon with it!
Priya, you are welcome any time...:)..I am planning for more..but will have to see how many works out! sure sure..any help is most welcome!
ranji, thank you!..
Shri, thanks for dropping by..do try this..will love it!
Sashree, thank you..glad so many love this song!
Cham, Uma, then I recommend you do!..you will never go for a restaurant one after that!
Vanamala, Trupti, thank you!
Richa, pls do..:)
Bhags, hehhe...in due time it will come out well!
Divya, glad to know
Siri, heheh..nice to know that !
Priya, glad to see here after a while! nice to know you like that song.
Swati, good good!
Jayashree, yeah wish we had something done on that!
sra, heheh..thats really funny!...yeah even I have always wondered on that!