Kitchen Recipe Collection
Godamba Roti (Sri Lankan Parotta)
A paper-thin, flaky, and buttery Sri Lankan flatbread made by stretching dough paper-thin and folding it to create hundreds of melt-in-the-mouth layers.
- Prep
- 60 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 90 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- hard
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 6 servings
- all-purpose flour
- water
- salt
- vegetable oil
- margarine or butter
Equipment
- Large flat griddle or tawa
- Large flat surface for stretching
Instructions
- 1
Make the Dough
Mix flour, salt, and water into a smooth, soft dough. Rest for 30 minutes covered. Knead again, then divide into equal balls and coat generously in oil. Rest for another 30 minutes.
- 2
Stretch
On a well-oiled surface, take one ball and use your fingertips to gently stretch it outward from the center until it is almost paper-thin and translucent.
- 3
Fold
Brush the stretched dough with a little margarine. Fold the sides in, then roll up or fold into a square parcel.
- 4
Cook
Cook the folded roti on a hot, lightly oiled flat griddle over medium heat, pressing gently with a spatula, for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and flaky.
- 5
Fluff & Serve
While hot, clap the roti between your palms to separate the layers and make it fluffy. Serve with dhal curry or egg curry.
Cooking Tips
- The stretching is the hardest part — be patient and go slowly from the center outward, letting gravity help.
- Resting the oiled dough balls is non-negotiable; it relaxes the gluten and makes stretching much easier.
- Clapping the hot roti between your palms right after cooking is what creates that iconic fluffiness.
Variations
- Egg Godamba: Add a beaten egg to the griddle and cook the roti on top of it.
- Kottu Roti: Chop leftover godamba roti and stir-fry with vegetables, egg, and curry sauce.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Godamba roti is the base ingredient for the famous Sri Lankan Kottu Roti.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh. Can be reheated on a dry pan.
Nutrition Estimate
320 calories · 7g protein · 48g carbs · 13g fat · 2g fiber per serving
