Here’s something different you can make with leftover potato that is really easy to make! Aloo Paratha is a potato stuffed flatbread that is a popular dish in India. This recipe is so flexible and I’ve provided loads of substitutions and alternatives so don’t be concerned about needing speciality Indian spices. I am addicted to this!
I was inspired to make this because I wanted to make something a little unique using leftover mashed potato I had from making Shepherd’s Pie Potato Skins (yet again….I love them!). This recipe is from my favourite Indian food blog, Priya’s Kitchenette. Besides the fact that Priya is an incredibly generous and kind person, she is phenonemal in the kitchen and her blog opened up the world of Indian cooking to me. She shares dishes that I order at Indian restaurants and shows how easy they are to make at home. And a whole lot healthier too because Indian food at restaurants and takeout places here in Sydney is really, really oily. But Indian home cooking is not. All the flavour with far less oil. Win, win!
“The flatbread dough is just flour, salt and water and takes 3 minutes to make. The filling is flavoured with garam masala, a staple Indian spice, but don’t worry if you don’t have it, there are easy alternatives!”
Parathas (Indian flatbreads) are very popular in India and are typically served for breakfast. However, in the Western world this is served as a side with curries, or as an appetiser. Along with naan, parathas are always a “must have” when I go out for Indian. You can get plain Parathas, but my favourite is Aloo Paratha (“Aloo” means “Potato”). I’m a carb monster. So a double carb hit is pretty much my idea of Perfect Food.
“This is one of those recipes where it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the listed ingredients – you can even substitute the potato! Change it up and use what you have. I’ve provided loads of suggestions for substitutions and alternatives. It is still going to be delicious!”
I promised you right up front that this is really easy and the main reason is because the dough is so easy to make and work with:
1. It is just made with flour, water and salt;
2. It only takes about 1 1/2 minutes to knead;
3. You don’t need to flour the work surface because the dough is not sticky. Even after kneading and rolling it out, the work surface will be perfectly clean; and
4. The dough is smooth, silky and elastic so it is really easy to roll out and stretch into the shape you want.
The filling is very simple: potato, shallots (scallions), ginger, coriander (cilantro) and some spices. The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the ingredients, you can substitute with so many other things or simply leave it out. Sure, what you end up with might not strictly be Aloo Paratha, but it is still going to be delicious. I’ve provided loads of suggestions for substitutions and alternatives. You don’t even need to use potato! You could use, for example, broccoli!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a pile of Parathas calling my name. Until next time! – Nagi
More things stuffed in flatbreads!
Things stuffed inside flatbreads are always a good thing! I’ve done a few over the years:
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Gozleme – Crispy Turkish olive oil flatbreads stuffed with spinach and feta
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And handy Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas!
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And though not stuffed, this ever popular Easy Soft Flatbreads has to make the list (use as naan for curries, Greek Gyros, Doner Kebab, Chicken Shawarma – the options are extensive!)
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Aloo Paratha (Indian Potato Stuffed Flatbread)
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 1/2 cups plain white flour (Note 1)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or any other cooking oil), ghee or butter
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups mashed potato (Notes 3 and 4)
- 1/2 cup shallots/scallions , chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander/cilantro , roughly chopped (optional - adds a nice burst of freshness)
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger , grated (optional - Note 5)
- 1 tsp Garam Masala (Note 6)
- 1 tsp Ajwain/ Carom seeds OR 1 tsp thyme (Note 7)
- 1/4 tsp chili powder (Note 8)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place the flour, water and salt in a bowl. Use a table knife to mix the ingredients together, then use your hands.
- Once the dough is sort of formed, turn it out onto a work surface and knead it 60 times. It should be smooth and elastic, not sticky or crumbly.
- Form the dough into a ball, cover with cling wrap and set aside for at least 20 minutes (up to a few hours). Do not refrigerate.
- Meanwhile, make the Filling. Place all Filling ingredients into a bowl and mix to combine.
- Preheat oven to very low (to keep Parathas warm because you can only cook one at a time).
- Cut the dough into 4 pieces with a knife.
- Take one ball and use a rolling pin to roll it out into a round about 18cm/7" in diameter.
- Place 1/3 cup of the Filling into the middle of the rolled out dough.
- Gather the edges of the dough to enclose the Filling (see photo below). Remove as much air as possible from inside then pinch to seal.
- Flatten the ball slightly and shape the flattened disc into a circle using your hands.
- Turn the dough over so the "sealed" side is facing down. Use a rolling pin to roll it out to about 1 1/2 cm / 2/3" thickness. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a non stick fry pan over medium heat.
- Place one Paratha into the fry pan and cook the first side for 1 minute 45 seconds. Use an egg flip to check if it is ready to turn - the underside should be golden brown.
- Turn the Paratha over and cook the other side for 1 minute 30 seconds.
- Remove from fry pan onto a wire rack (this stops the underside from going soggy due to sweat) and place into a low oven to keep warm while you cook the remaining Parathas.
- Add a small drizzle of the remaining oil into the pan (you should not need much). Proceed to cook the remaining Parathas.
- Cut into 4 pieces and serve immediately. It can be served with chutney or yoghurt on the side. I find that the Filling has so much flavour that it doesn't need anything on the side.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
hi i had a small amount of flour in the bag and thought i would give it a go from my leftovers, and it was yummy, i made one,,i also make her bread rolls, all the time, easy peasy ginny
does this freeze well?
Perfect Virginia!! N x
I like your recipes and I’m gonna try them I like the cinnamon rolls
I was looking for a Gyro Bread Recipe and this web page came up so I saw some of your recipes and and I’m gonna try some
Hi, I just made this for my partner (who is Indian) and he was so impressed. It’s simple easy to follow and super delicious! Thank you. Will be doing more of your recipes in the future.
Easy and delicious. Thanks😊
Thanks so much Ronnie! N x
Very tasty! But I think I am missing some key point. I tried to follow your instructions (the pictures were very helpful!), but the dough was much thicker on the side where I had pinched it together. Probably three times as thick as the other side. How do I keep the dough thin on that side?
Hi Ken, did you roll it out again with a rolling pin after pinching it? N x
Ma’am , it is so delicious and you described everything so nicely and easily to understand. thank you for the recipe.
You’re so welcome Mobasir!
Hi Nagi – have you ever tried refrigerating the dough overnight and then bringing it to room temperature the next day? What was (or what would be) the result? Thanks.
I haven’t tried Teri – I’m sure it would work the same way 🙂
Well these were ridiculous..ly delicious! Thanks Nagi! The photo instructions of how to compile made them 👍👍👍
Thanks, its so easy
Wahoo, thanks Lizzy ❤️
I love your recipes thank so much greetings from Switzerland
I’m so glad you love it Honey!
Hi Nagi, I am so happy to find this recipe! I have been buying this bread (plain variety, no potato) frozen, but homemade is so much better. I have this bread almost every morning. I add crumbled feta cheese while it is heating on the stove, and then add fresh basil. Delicious, and so easy. Thank you for yet another amazing recipe!
Yum!!!
I used this recipe in my school project and when i alone at home
Great Krish!
I’m a great fan of yours Nagi and use your recipes every other day. So many time savers, big flavours and compliments to me for cooking!
I did make the aloo paratha recipe but wondered if 1Tbs of garam masala should really be 1tsp? I found the garam masala really strong, or maybe it’s just the brand of garam masala I’m using? Anyway, otherwise I follow everything you write to the letter and the scrumptiousness speaks for itself!
Hi Nagi!
I’m using you to learn how to cook! I wanted to make your butter chicken tomorrow, and an attempt at bombay potatoes (p.s. would love it if you posted your recipe for bombay potatoes! I feel like a traitor going elsewhere for one). I was thinking I could put extra potatoes on the boil to set aside for this, but the bombay recipe wants me to boil with tumeric. Do you think mash potatoes with tumeric on them would work as a filling for these? Also do you know how much raw potato ends up being 1 and a half ups of mash? Any help you can offer would be great, thank you! I’m a total noob.
Be a traitor!! I can’t post every recipe everyone needs! Tumeric flavoured potatoes would be amazing in this 🙂 You’ll need about 1 1/2 potatoes about the size of tennis balls to make 1 1/2 cups of mash 🙂
I bet you could! Thanks so much for the help x
Made these for dinner.so tasty.my father liked them so much.😃
For the filling I used mashed potatoes with onion,garlic,pepper,cumin seeds,Chillie powder n Garam masala n tempered this with little bit of butter.
Thanku very much for the recipe Nagi.👍👍
Love hearing that Shaki! So pleased you enjoyed this 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi,
Greatings from Holland.
Because you are my “goto” kitchen goddes I searched your site first when I was look for a home made Chutney. My search ended here. So my question is here to.
Will you please try and post a Chutney recipe? (recipi recepe pff such a hard word for us dutchies 🙂 )
I will continue my search elsewhere but how great it will be what I find, I will surely try yours.
Excuse my bad english. Writing is harder then reading
Please don’t apologise! The fact that you can speak / write/ read more than one language is already admirable 🙂 I will certainly add that to my list! You mean Indian ones? N x
Indian would be great but other variatys can be nice to. Surprise me.
How many servings does this make?
Hi! I make 4 large or 6 smaller ones 🙂 N x
Very delicious recipe of potato paratha
I’m so pleased to hear that Anil! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this recipe 🙂 N xx
Hi Nagi! What a delicious way to use all leftover potatoes! Just what I was looking for! I was planning to make your parathas day ahead. Could you advise can they be reheated in the microwave?
Hi Kasia! They are better if reheated on the stove, just to get that crispy exterior. Can you do that? 🙂 N x