Roti is made using whole wheat flour, water, and salt, while naan is made using all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water. Roti is soft, circular, and thin, whereas naan is thick, fluffy, chewy, and often tear-shaped. Roti originated in India, while naan was brought to India by the Mughals.
Nutrient Composition: Roti is generally healthier than naan or prata, as naan often contains added fats (like butter) and sugar, while prata is typically fried. Consuming higher-calorie versions can contribute more significantly to weight gain.
Many people got confused with naan and roti as both are entirely different in look, texture, and making. Naan is leavened Indian thick bread prepared with a combination of yeast, yogurt, and white flour and cooked on tandoor. Roti is unleavened dough prepared with wheat flour and cooked on a tawa or skillet.
Roti (aka chapati) is an unleavened flatbread cooked on a tawa or griddle. It's thinner and denser than naan, which uses yeast as a leavener. Naan often contains yogurt and is traditionally baked in a tandoor (a wood or charcoal-fired clay oven).
Garlic naan in a cast iron skillet — tawa-style (no yeast, no oven)
Is roti bread healthy?
Roti is certainly a healthier option due to the presence of fibres including proteins, carbs, and soluble fibre. These fibres provide you with an energy boost, promote good blood circulation, and keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.
Roti is a variety of flat unleavened Indian bread cooked on a griddle or in a frying pan. It is similar to a chapati. The words for most Indian breads have only infiltrated English since the 1960s, but roti is an exception.
As we can see, roti is lower in calories and fat but higher in protein and carbohydrates. On the other side, naan has more calories and fat compared to roti but less protein and carbohydrates compared to roti.
Like roti, naan comes in various cooking styles, from classic plain to crispy or stuffed with fruits and nuts. We recommend eating naan alongside Northern Indian dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala or Roasted Tomato Curry with Chickpeas. The soft texture perfectly contrasts these rich, robust dishes.
Firstly, Indian roti is a simple unleavened flatbread cooked on an open flame or skillet, while paratha (or oil roti in the Caribbean) is a layered flatbread that requires the process of ghee-layering and frying.
Naan, with its leavened texture and slightly charred taste, adds a touch of indulgence to any meal. Roti, the unleavened flatbread, offers a wholesome and healthier option, perfect for pairing with various curries or using as a wrap.
Roti is a healthier option than naan, as it is made from whole wheat flour, high in fiber and essential nutrients. On the other hand, naan is made from all-purpose flour, low in fiber and essential nutrients.
Roti and naan are two types of popular Indian flatbreads. Roti is made using whole wheat flour, water, and salt, while naan is made using all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water. Roti is soft, circular, and thin, whereas naan is thick, fluffy, chewy, and often tear-shaped.
A bhaji or bajji is a type of fritter originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is made from spicy hot vegetables, commonly onion, and has several variants.
Naan and pita are similar in that they are both flatbreads, but naan contains butter and yogurt, whereas pita does not. As stated earlier, naan is high in fat, and specifically high in saturated fats. Pita on the other hand is considered to be a low fat food.
So, it has more calories and fewer nutrients. 60 gm of rice has 80 calories, 1 gm of protein, 0.1-gram fat, and 18 grams of carbohydrates. Roti is made from wheat so it has more nutrients when compared to rice. A small 6-inch roti contains almost 71 calories, 3 gm protein, 0.4 gm fat, and 15 gm carbohydrates.
I deviate from the most traditional way of making roti by using all purpose whole wheat flour instead of atta flour (since that is what I always have on hand). I also add a bit of salt to the dough because I love tasting this roti on its own and salt helps to bring out the nutty flavour of the flour.
If fully cooked and frozen- pat/sprinkle frozen roti with water on both sides and heat in microwave for 15-30 secs. Comes out absolutely soft and fresh. Tawa heating works but hardens after 10-15 mins.