Bhatura Bread (also known as Batura or Bathura) is a deep-fried North Indian bread that's pure comfort on a plate. With its soft, fluffy texture and subtle tang, this golden delight pairs perfectly with spicy chole or a simple bowl of yogurt. One bite is all it takes to fall in love. It's indulgent, satisfying, and the kind of treat and comfort food you never mind enjoying occasionally.
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Why you'll love Bhatura?
- Irresistibly Delicious: Light, fluffy, and perfectly golden, Bhatura has that melt-in-your-mouth goodness that pairs beautifully with rich, flavorful gravies like Chole or Paneer Butter Masala.
- A Showstopper Dish: Serve it to guests, and you're sure to impress as it's that perfect mix of comfort and celebration on one plate.
- Indulgent Yet Worth It: Yes, it's deep-fried, but sometimes a little indulgence is exactly what you need. Bhatura makes every bite worth the treat.
- Simple to Make: Once your dough is ready, all that's left is to roll, fry, and watch those gorgeous breads puff up in seconds!
Ingredients you will need
- All-purpose flour and semolina
- Yogurt with whey drained
- Baking soda and baking powder
- Salt and sugar
- Milk and Oil
How to make Bhatura Bread?
To make Bhatura at Home that is fluffy, Crispy & Delicious! If you've ever enjoyed a plate of Chole Bhature, you know that the real star is the bhatura, that golden, puffed Indian bread that's crisp on the outside and soft inside. Traditional bhatura is made with all-purpose flour (maida) and a touch of semolina (sooji), which gives it its signature crisp-yet-fluffy texture.
Start by kneading the flour with a little oil, as this helps make the dough smooth and elastic. Then, gradually add yogurt and milk until the dough comes together. It should be soft but not sticky. Let it rest for about an hour to allow the gluten to relax and the flavors to develop fully.
If you're in a hurry, you can also mix all the ingredients and knead until smooth, or use a dough maker or a stand mixer with a dough hook. Both methods work great. Once rested, roll the dough into a flat bread-like shape and deep-fry until they puff up. Serve hot with spicy chole for the ultimate comfort meal!
- Step 1: Combine all the ingredients to make the bhatura bread in a bowl.
- Step 2: Transfer the dough to a stand mixer and knead.
I like to use a stand mixer to knead the dough as it makes the process effortless and ensures consistent results every time. However, if you prefer kneading by hand, take your time and enjoy the process; the extra effort truly pays off! Once the dough feels soft, smooth, and elastic, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for a few hours.
- Step 3: Add very little water if needed.
- Step 4: Knead for about 6 to 10 minutes.
After resting, the dough is ready to be rolled and fried. Divide into small portions and roll into a small ball.
- Step 5: Cover it with a wet cloth and let it rest for about 2 to 3 hours.
- Step 6: Divide the dough and roll it into round balls.
Using a rolling pin, roll into a uniform shape so the bhatura can puff up well. Heat oil on medium heat, slide the bread in, and when it puffs up, turn and cook on both sides. Drain the bread out using a spatula and serve immediately so it's crisp and delicious.
- Step 7: Roll the dough evenly to form a smooth, round shape as shown above. Keeping it uniform ensures the Bhatura puffs up perfectly when fried.
- Step 8: Heat the oil, then gently slide the rolled bhatura into it. As it fries, spoon a little hot oil over the top to help the bread puff up. Cook on both sides until golden brown.
Useful Tips
- If you're kneading by hand, allow the dough to rest a little longer, about 2 to 3 hours, as it makes a noticeable difference. The extra resting time helps the dough ferment gently, resulting in softer, puffier bhaturas with that perfect restaurant-style texture.
- If using a stand mixer, resting for at least an hour should be good enough
- While some home cooks experiment with whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier version, the classic bhatura recipe uses maida for the most authentic results.
- To prepare the bhatura dough, combine flour, semolina, yogurt, salt, sugar, and baking powder. The yogurt adds a subtle tang and helps with fermentation, while semolina contributes that delightful crunch.
What to serve Bhatura Bread with?
Bhatura goes best with chole or chickpea gravy. I have posted two variations of the chole recipes previously. One is the popular recipe of pindi chole, and the other is the regular chana masala. They are both great combinations that go well with the 'Bhatura'.
Serve this dish with raw onions, lemon, and green chilies on the side. It is best had as soon as it is made so that it's hot, crisp, and delicious. Some folks also like to have it with chicken dishes like Kashmiri chicken , and chicken Tikka Masala.
You can also have it with paneer gravies like paneer tikka masala, palak paneer, and malai kofta made with the easy malai kofta recipe , or even kerala style green peas curry and rajma masala curry.
Recipe FAQ
The oil temperature plays a key role in puffing up the bhaturas. Make sure the oil is medium-high and well-heated before you start frying. It should not be too hot as they'll brown too quickly, too cool, and they'll absorb oil instead of puffing up.
Equally important is allowing the dough to rest properly; this gives it the elasticity and lightness needed to puff up in the oil. When rolling out the bhaturas, keep them slightly thick and not paper-thin so they have enough body to puff up fully and stay soft inside with a gentle crisp on the outside.
Though similar in appearance, puri and bhatura differ in ingredients, preparation, and flavor. Puris are made with whole wheat flour (atta) and need no fermentation, making them quick to prepare.
Bhaturas, in contrast, use all-purpose flour (maida) and semolina (sooji), and the dough is rested or lightly fermented with yogurt, giving it a tangy flavor and soft, fluffy texture.
Puris are typically smaller and thinner, while bhaturas, especially the ones made in restaurants, are larger and puffier
Yes, they can be kept in an air-tight container for about 2 to 3 days.
Related Recipes
If you tried this Bhatura Bread Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing from you!
Bhatura Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- 1 ½ tbsp semolina
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda or about 2 pinches
- 1 ½ tbsp oil for kneading
- ½ cup yogurt plain at room temperature
- 4 tbsp milk or as needed for dough
- 2 cups oil for deep frying
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk All purpose flour , semolina, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt .
- Add the oil for kneading and evenly distribute with your fingers into the dough .
- Next add yogurt and mix .
- Add milk a little at a time.
- Using stand mixer , knead for about 6 minutes or about 10 minutes with your hand . The longer you knead will make it soft . You can add extra flour if it gets sticky .Knead until you get a smooth dough.
- Add a little oil on the dough , cover with a wet cloth and keep in a warm place.
- After about an hour divide the dough into 8 balls and let it rest again.
- Heat oil in a frying pan . Roll the dough ball into a circle or oval shape and deep fry till it puffs up .
- Delicious bhatura is ready to be served with chole .
This bhatura came out unbelievably soft and fluffy! Such a comforting, flavorful treat. Paired it with chole and it was pure joy on a plate!
this bread is amazing! such a delicious recipe.
Batura with potato curry is always yummy combination so good and easy comfort food.
Bhatura bread is soft, fluffy, and perfectly golden. It’s the ultimate comfort food, especially with spicy chole or creamy yogurt.
So tender and delicious with a hot bowl of chili! So happy we have a few leftover to served with dinner tonight. Excellent recipe!
This looks scrumptious! I feel like I can eat it with rice dishes or soup.
Wonderful to hear that . I'm sure you will love those combinations. It can be paired with chicken gravy or any other gravy as well. Thank you for stopping by!
Nisha, whenever I try to give complete 5 stars to your post, it never goes beyond 3 stars...
Thanks for letting me know Deeksha , I have temporarily disabled the rating till the issue is resolved .
Hi Deeksha, I just want to let you know that the rating issue seems to be fixed now .
Oh yum, Nisha! Those look delicious!
Thank you so much Jen, they are indeed delicious .
Awesome!
Thank you so much!
Absolutely delicious looking Bature Nisha 😋 trying them soon !
Thank you dear Smitha . Do let me know how they turn out!
Kuch bhee kaho, fried and white flour both give ultimate taste 😋😋
Very true Deeksha !