Gluten Free and Grain Free Guyanese Roti (Paleo)

Gluten Free and Grain Free roti has a flavor and texture that is similar to traditional Guyanese roti so even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this remixed version to the traditional flatbread. Although it’s not quite as flaky and fluffy as classic Guyanese paratha roti, it’s pretty darn close! Serve this delicious side with your favorite saucy dish to round out your meal.

If you’re new here, check out my guide for how to make roti for beginners for helpful tips and tricks!

Gluten Free and Grain Free Roti

Developing the perfect Gluten Free / Grain Free roti (Guyanese style) was a passion project. When I discovered that gluten was making me sick, I tried to create gluten free versions of all my favorite things. After many experiments, trials and errors this gluten free / grain free roti recipe was born!

Why You’ll Love This Gluten Free/ Grain Free Roti Recipe

• Easy to Make: With step-by-step instructions, visuals, and tips, it’s very simple to make this popular flatbread. Soon, you’ll be making this all the time.
• A Tasty Healthy Alternative: Soft, doughy, with a mild flavor, this gluten free roti is absolutely delicious. It is the closest in taste and texture to traditional roti. And it’s sturdy enough to nestle your favorite curries.
• Versatile Dish: No matter your dietary restrictions, there’s a great chance that you can enjoy this grain free roti. It’s gluten-free, grain-free and paleo and can easily be made vegan and dairy-free to suit an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet.

What is roti?

Traditional Guyanese roti is a flatbread made with all purpose wheat flour, fat (oil, butter, or ghee), and water. The roti dough is flattened and cooked on a flat pan known as a tawa/tawah.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Roti

It’s been a long time coming but through many trials and errors, I have discovered the winning combination of ingredients for the best gluten free and grain free roti. The almond flour combined with the arrowroot flour made the best, most pliable dough. I was shocked! The next step was perfecting the execution.

• Almond flour: During a meeting with one of the founders of Capellos, (a grain free pasta and pizza brand) I mentioned how great it would be if I could conquer my gluten free roti quest. The founder suggested almond flour, a gluten free flour made with ground almonds.
• Arrowroot flour: You will need extra for dusting the dough.
• Xanthan gum: I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Xanthan Gum. It acts as an emulsifier and binds the ingredients.
• Baking powder: Not to be mistaken with baking soda, this leavening agent helps the dough rise.
• Warm water: This keeps the dough soft and easy to roll.
• Salt: For added flavor.
• Melted ghee: This enriches the overall flavor and softens the overall texture of the roti.
• Avocado oil: Use this or any other high-quality cooking oil with a high smoke point (like sunflower oil or light tasting olive oil).

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Grain Free (Paleo) Roti

Combine the almond flour, arrowroot flour, xantum gum, salt and baking powder in a large bowl and mix together well. Then add the water and form a soft but stiff dough.

Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, then divide into 3 large balls. Then divide each of the dough balls in half. Roll one ball out until it is paper thin, then place it on a sheet of parchment paper and set aside.

Step by Step for shaping the roti

I’ve tried a few different ways to get layers into the dough like paratha roti, but I always ended up with a pretty thick and heavy roti. Until I started layering the roti similar to how dosti roti is made. Dosti roti uses the same dough as paratha (oil roti) but instead of forming a loi to create layers, two pieces of dough are sandwiched with oil or ghee and rolled together. That is basically what I’ve done here with my gluten free roti.

Shaping the gluten free / grain free roti

You can choose to leave the edges as is or you can use a pizza cutter to make them round. For this post I wanted the finished product to be as close to perfection as possible but when I am making them at home, for myself, I leave them as is. Because I really don’t have time to cut edges into perfection when I am juggling three busy children. After making the edges neat I rolled them together with my rolling pin just before placing the gluten free roti on my hot tawah/skillet.

Cooking the roti

This roti is best cooked on medium-high heat. For best results, let the roti cook until it has brown bits on both sides. The roti tastes better when it is cooked really well. During my trials I cooked the dough for a few minutes without letting it brown and it tasted quite raw, so give it time to get brown. It will be worth it.

Substitutions & Variations

This grain free roti recipe is very unique because it has been specifically made in order to mimic gluten. Swapping any of the ingredients for another could drastically alter the outcome.

However, I know that other gluten free and grain free roti recipes have found success using various combinations of ingredients including cassava flour, tapioca flour, tapioca starch, psyllium husk, and chickpea flour.

Again, my list of gluten free and grain free roti ingredients has worked for me. I can’t vouch for other substitutions and variations but I will provide an update if or when that happens!

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl: This is used to combine the roti dough ingredients.
• Parchment Paper: Use to prevent the roti from sticking together.
• Pizza Cutter: To make the roti perfectly round.
• Skillet or Tawa: The best pan for Guyanese roti is the tawa. But if you have a glass top cooker, that may not be an option. You can use a flat cast iron skillet instead and the roti will come out perfect.

Storage

At room temperature: Leftover gluten free and grain free roti lasts up to 2 days at room temperature.

Fridge: Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Freeze: For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. If you decide to freeze them, wrap your roti individually with plastic wrap, then store in a zip top bag.

To reheat, thaw frozen roti by leaving it at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then wrap the roti in a few sheets of damp paper towel. Microwave in 30 second increments until the roti is warm.

Tips for the Best Gluten Free and Grain Free Roti

• Make the dough soft but stiff. If you make the dough sticky or wet it will not cook well
• Roll the layers of roti, as thin as possible. The thinner it is rolled out the lighter the finished roti will be.
• Use lots of arrowroot flour to keep the dough dry when rolling it out and cooking it, it will make a huge difference in the finished product.
• You don’t need to roll the dough between parchment paper. It will roll on a regular board as long as you dust it with arrowroot flour.
• Do not dust the roti with almond flour or it will be very grainy and develop a crust.
• The melted ghee can be replaced with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative.

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