Guyanese Paratha (oil) roti is a flaky flat bread with beautiful light layers. It is a staple in most Guyanese and Caribbean households. This simple flat bread made of all purpose flour, oil (or ghee or butter), baking powder and water is the definition of comfort food! Give it a try for all our your saucy curries and stews.
Guyanese roti is a type of paratha that Indian Indentured laborers brought to Guyana in the 1800s. These laborers came to the Caribbean to fill the labor gap after the abolition of slavery. They brought with them their food and culture that is still alive and vibrant through out the Caribbean.
In my family we eat roti with anything! Try it with curry: lamb, beef, chicken, shrimp. Or even with veggies: pumpkin, baigan (eggplant), bhaji (spinach), okra/o. Roti with whatever you like: seriously, I've eaten roti with peanut butter, jam, cheese, condensed milk. When you have roti, the possibilities are endless. And now you can make delicious roti at home.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti recipe
- Ingredients
- Step by Step Instructions for Paratha (oil) Roti dough
- Making roti lois/loyas
- Shaping into the Traditional Guyanese Roti Loi
- Step by Step for cooking Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti
- How to Clap Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti
- Easy Roti for Beginners:
- Substitutions & Variations
- Storage
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Printable Recipe Card
Why you'll love this Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti recipe
- Authentic: This is an authentic recipe with traditional ingredients and steps that I have perfected over my 20+ years of roti making.
- Step by Step Guide: Roti making can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. My step by step instructions and visual guide deliver amazing consistent results every time
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses five simple pantry ingredients, all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, oil or butter and water.
- Delicious: This recipes creates delicious, flaky, butter Guyanese roti that is authentic in flavor and texture.
- Versatile: Flaky roti pairs well with any saucy curry or stew. Once you make a batch of roti, you'll want to keep making it. It's the perfect flat bread for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Grab these simple ingredients from your pantry and let's make some flaky Guyanese Roti
- All Purpose Flour: Reserve a cup of flour for sprinkling in between the roti layers and dusting your work surface.
- Baking Powder: Used as a leavening agent in roti
- Fat: Use Oil, butter or ghee in between the roti layers for a really soft and delicious roti.
- Warm Water: Warm water makes a softer, stretchy dough. I highly recommend.
- Salt: Give the roti a great flavor. Skip if you are using salted butter or salted ghee
See recipe card below for exact measurements.
Step by Step Instructions for Paratha (oil) Roti dough
First combine the flour, baking powder and salt and mix together well using your finger tips or a whisk. Then mix a tablespoon of oil into the dry ingredients. This step is optional but I highly recommend it for a soft roti dough.
Then add small amounts of warm water to the flour mixture and pinch together to form a loose shaggy dough. Repeat until all of the water is combined with the flour. Then squeeze the bits of dough through your palm until it comes together to form a dough ball.
Continue to squeeze the dough ball in a kneading motion, but do not fold over and knead like bread. Press and squeeze for five minutes until there are no lumps. Then rub a tablespoon of oil over the dough, cover with a damp paper towel and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
Making roti lois/loyas
A roti loi or loya is a ball of prepped roti dough used for paratha or oil roti. It is filled with fat and rolled up into a ball. Start by stretching out the roti dough into a thick log shape. Then divide the dough into 5 even pieces. Roll each piece of dough between your palms to shape into smooth balls. This will help with rolling the dough out for the oiling process.
Working with one piece of dough at a time, place the dough balls on a floured surface, press with your finger tips to flatten and using a rolling pin, roll into a large thin disk about ⅛ inch thick (similar to a large tortilla). Then add about 1 tablespoon of oil or butter or a combination of both over the surface of the rolled out dough followed by a sprinkle of flour.
Shaping into the Traditional Guyanese Roti Loi
Then using a knife make an incision from the center to one end of the dough, and roll dough to form a cone. Tuck the ends into bottom of cone then flip oven the cone and push the tip into the base.
Repeat for the other four dough balls. Then rest for 30 minutes to an hour. Check out my Easy Guyanese Roti recipe for an easier way to add oil to the roti dough and shape the loi.
Step by Step for cooking Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti
When ready to cook add tawah/skillet to medium heat. While the tawah is heating up roll the roti into a flat disk about ⅛th inch thick. Then add to the preheated tawah/skillet. When tiny bubbles form, flip the roti over and brush with oil. Continue to cook for about 30 seconds or for as long as it takes to brush the top with oil.
Flip again and repeat on the other side.Then flip a final time and let it cook for about 30 seconds. Then fold the roti in half and from the heat.
If you prefer a roti with less brown spots, keep your heat medium low and let the roti cook for just 30 seconds on each side without getting brown. I prefer my roti with little to no brown spots but most people prefer theirs with lots of crispy brown bits like the roti shown here.
How to Clap Guyanese Paratha (Oil) Roti
Clapping the term used to method used to release the air pockets from the roti and create the beautiful flaky layers. To clap the roti fold immediately after you remove the folded roti from the tawah/skillet. Hold the ends with both hands and toss it into the air to about chin height. Very quickly bring your palms together in a clapping motion, compressing the roti to loosen the layers. Repeat this motion several times until the roti is fluffy and flaky. Do your roti clapping over an empty sink or over a bowl with a kitchen towel to collect roti flakes that may fall during clapping.
Easy Roti for Beginners:
Roti making can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be. You can have delicious home made roti, even as a beginner. Give my Easy Guyanese Oil roti recipe for beginners a try. It is a non traditional recipe, with simplified steps that really works.
Substitutions & Variations
- Flour: You can also use whole wheat flour with this recipe. Use 2 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of all purpose flour for a more nutrient dense roti with a bit of a nutty flavor.
- Yeast or No Yeast? Adding a pinch of instant yeast to the dough saves time and effort. Instead of waiting hours for the dough to rest. I've made roti in 15 minutes, because I added a pinch of instant yeast and a tiny bit of (sugar) to feed the yeast. Check out this post to see how.
- Gluten Free: Looking for a gluten free roti with authentic flavor? Then try my Grain Free / Gluten Free Roti recipe. I promise it won't disappoint.
- Fat: You can use a variety of fats to your roti dough for varying results. I often only use oil in between the layers with creating the lois. My mom uses oil and melted butter mixed together. Others prefer just ghee and some use vegetable shortening. Whatever you choose do not use extra virgin olive oil. It is too heavy and you will end up with a stiff roti. Always opt for a light or light tasting oil with a high smoke point.
- Vegan: Make your roti vegan by using vegan butter or butter substitutes or just oil in this recipe
- Trinidadian Buss up shot: This recipe is perfect for Trinidadian Buss Up Shot roti. I recommend using the oil and butter combination for between the layers and basting the roti during cooking for really flaky fall apart buss up shot roti results.
Storage
At room temperature: Wrap cooked rotis in a kitchen towel in a kitchen towel to keep it warm and soft. Store leftover oil roti wrapped in a towel and in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Then store them in the fridge for up to one week.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze raw or cooked roti for up to 3 months. Individually wrap your roti 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.
FAQ
Roti has five simple ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, warm water, butter and oil.
You can make your roti vegan by using a vegan butter substitute instead of butter.
Yes, you can make gluten free by using a combination of gluten free flours. See above where I discuss gluten free roti in the variations section of this post.
Yes. Make your roti dough up to three days ahead and store in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. See below for freezing tips.
Yes, you can freeze roti for up to three months. You can also freeze roti dough by wrapping it individually in plastic wrap and storing in a zip-top bag. Rest at room temperature to completely defrost before cooking. 
Related
Pairing
Printable Recipe Card
Paratha (oil) Roti
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Tawa or flat skillet or griddle
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 ½ cups All Purpose Flour plus 1 cup for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter or ghee may also use oil in this step
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- ½ Cup Oil Use a light high smokepoint oil, such as avocado, extra light tasting olive oil or sunflower oil
Instructions
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt in a large bowl and mix together well. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter or ghee (may also use oil) and blend into the flour mixture with your finger tips.
- Form a well in the center of the ingredients and add water a little at a time, pinching together with the flour mixture to form a shaggy (loose) dough.
- Squeeze shaggy dough together to form a soft and sticky dough. Continue to squeeze the dough in a slight kneading motion for about 5 minutes. Do not fold over and knead like bread dough. Just squeeze and massage the dough in the palm of your hands and bring it together into a ball.
- Rub a tablespoon of oil over the dough, cover dough with a damp paper towel to prevent the top from crusting and let rest for at least 30 minutes but up to an hour
Shaping the roti (adding the layers)
- Divide the dough into 5 pieces, then working with one piece of dough at a time, place the dough on a floured surface, press with your finger tips to flatten. Using a rolling pin, roll into a large thin disk about ⅛ inch thick (similar to a large tortilla).
- Add about 1 tablespoon of oil over the surface of the rolled out dough followed by a sprinkle of flour. Then using a knife make an incision from the center to one end of the dough, and roll dough to form a cone. Tuck the ends into bottom of cone, flip over and push the cone tip into the base.
- Repeat for the remaining 4 pieces of dough. Then cover with a damp paper towel and let rest for 15 minutes before cooking.
Cooking the roti
- When ready to cook, preheat a tawah or large cast iron skillet on medium heat. While the tawah is heating up, roll out your roti (loi/loya) on a floured surface and press to flatten. Then using a rolling pin, roll into a large round disk about ⅛ inch thick
- Place the roti on the preheated tawa and cook until tiny bubbles / air pockets appear on the top of the roti then flip and brush with oil. Once the roti the surfce is completely covered with oil, flip and brush the other side with oil. Then flip again and let cook for 15-20 seconds.
- Fold the roti in half, then remove the roti from the heat and clap immediately to release the flaky layers and prevent your roti from getting stiff. Serve your roti with your favorite saucy side dishes.
Notes
- Making Guyanese roti the traditional way takes time and practice. For best results, allow the dough to rest so that the gluten activates and the dough becomes stretchy. A stretchy dough is easy to work with and will result in a silky and flaky roti.
- You can also use a combination of butter and oil between the layers of dough when making your lois/loyas. But do not use butter to cook your roti as it will burn and the roti will be crispy. You can use ghee to cook the roti if you like or just oil like I did here.
- Don't let dough sit for more than 1 hour in the first stage or it will get dry and crusty. If you need to rest it for longer than 1 hours, please place the dough in the refrigerator.
- You can substitute 2 cup of all purpose flour for 2 cups whole wheat flour in this recipe.
- Traditionally roti is cooked on a tawah. If you don't have a tawah a flat cast iron skillet or heavy bottom frying pan works really well.
Ayana says
Hmm that plate looks delightful thank goodness I'm just finishing lunch lol
Metemgee says
🙂
schadah says
Omg. Thank u so much for ths. I didn't get to respond to u as i was im the hospital for a bit. but thanks for the email link. I am so loving this roti. It looks amazing. I hate m,ing roti cz it gets stiff after the first day. But I will try that as soon as I get up and about.
Metemgee says
No prob. Be sure to drop a note and let me know how the food comes out. Happy cooking and sorry to hear that you were in the hospital.
donnamangal says
The water must be as hot as you can tolerate ( not boiling) it when mixing and kneading the dough.. Big difference in roti making! I had the same problem with the stiffness until I started using hot water! Also.. When you use the paper towel that should also be warm.. Hope this helps
Alesia says
Am trying this tonight. As a child I always helped my grandmother with this, but have never made it myself haha this will be quite the trial! Thanks for the video.
Metemgee says
Glad you liked it. How did the roti come out?
donnamangal says
I love your recipes.. I tried almost everything for the first time and it turned out great! Thank so much!
Metemgee says
I'm glad you liked them and I love you for trying them!
Monell says
S.O.S...... Miss metemgee I need help making the roti I attempted twice I suck, can't seem to get a soft dough in stage one. The dough is too hard wont roll out... I followed every step to exact is it the temperature of the water, the type of flour..... Please Help!
Metemgee says
Hi there. Try adding a bit more water. Flour is a tricky medium to work with sometimes depending on how moist or dry the air is you may need less or more water. Add some more water when making the dough to get it soft. Then let it sit for an hour before rolling it out and "oiling it off." Let me know if this works. Btw I'm using gold medal all purpose flour.
Ahayah Yashiya - Israelites Unite says
Hello Metemgee, what camera do you use to take out your pictures? It's very clear and nicely done.
Metemgee says
Believe it or not I'm just using my iPad and natural light!
Ronla says
Love your blog!! It brings back so many memories of growing up at home and experiencing my family in the kitchen. Nice to know a fellow Bishops' girl is spreading the joy of Guyanese cooking! Just to share a quick tip my dad taught me about roti: finger all the ingredients together instead of kneading and it'll be even lighter and softer. Thanks again for your recipes and stories.
Metemgee says
Many thanks for your kind words.
Kelly says
I can't use baking powder. Is there an alternative or can I leave it out?
Metemgee says
Not sure. You can't leave it out. Yeast might make it too doughy but you need a leavening agent. I'll ask astound see if anyone tried anything else.
Michelle Proctor says
Trying this for dinner tonight along with your Curry Chicken....super excited...Thank you so much for the video and the recipes...if haven't mentioned it yet I AM SOOO EXCITED!!!!!
Metemgee says
Yay! Let me know how it comes out! I'm super excited too. Haha
Michelle says
It turned out Amazing ...my family loved it...cant wait to try more of your recipes ..i know they will be great...this one is becoming a staple in our family now..thanks again
Metemgee says
Glad it came out great! Happy cooking!
Karen says
Had a baking weekend, tennis rolls and roti. The roti actually came out well, they were eaten on the day and tasted good the following day as well, (which you know is the sign of a good roti) I am so pleased with that thank you
Angela says
Could you correct the recipe re the baking powder, please. You have 2 tps baking powder, when you meant 2 tsps. of baking powder. I almost put in too much baking powder. Thanks.
Metemgee says
Thanks for catching that. Will do. Apparently I was sleeping when I proof read this cause I forgot cup for 1/2 cup oil. Aye.
Eva Taylor says
I made your roti recipe the other day and it turned out WONDERFUL! The tutorial was very helpful and the oiling off rolling instructions were excellent. Our roti turned out flaky and chewy! Thanks for posting it. I'll be blogging about it on March 2, I'd love it if you popped by and commented.
Metemgee says
Happy to hear that it turned out great. Thanks for trying my recipe.
Chica Andaluza says
Came over here via Greg's blog - what a wonderful tutorial, I'll definitely be giving these a go!
nad says
Can I let it sit for 24 hours after rolling it with the oil and butter?
Metemgee says
You can put it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hrs or freeze it, and defrost and cook as needed.
Carla says
Your recipe and video together seem SOOO THOROUGH!!! I'm making this tonight! Wish me luck!!
Metemgee says
Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.
Mrs. Rankin says
Thank you so much for sharing this step by step recipe. I made this today for the first time and it came out pretty good. I still need to work on my rolling skills but I know I will get it down pat one day! : ) Again, thank you for taking the time to share all of your wonderful recipes..God bless.
Metemgee says
Glad it came out great. And sorry there hasn't been any new recipes 2014 has been a terrible and exciting year for me. I'll share an update in a post soon.
Ms. Silas says
Your recipes are amazing! I realized that you didn't use salt when making the dough. Should I use a little salt?
Metemgee says
You can. My mom always did. I just try to limit salt wherever I can and since the curry always has the right amount of salt I eliminated it from my roti.
Melissa says
I made roti fro the first time using your recipe and it came out great soft and flaky. I felt like a pro and the family and friends loved it. Thank you so much!
Anya Allen says
This is really helpful especially with the video! 👌🏻✨ I am from Russia and my husband is Guyanese 🙂 we were living in NYC so there was no problem with finding any West Indian restaurant or shop to eat all these yummy roti, doubles, aloo pies, goat curry and I can keep going lol but we moved to MD. And find a legit West Indian food is hopeless. So I def gonna make it! So happy that found your blog really helpful! Yeyyy to the yumminess! 🙂
Keisha (@DRLillystweets) says
This recipe is off 1 cup of water made a soggy dough
Metemgee says
Here's the thing about flour. It depending on how humid or how much moisture you have in the air where you live you may need less or more water. I live in Denver. It is really, really dry. I used a cup of water (as you can see in the video) and it was fine. You may need to do less. That is why in the video I pour the water in small portions. Hope this helps and thanks for trying the recipe.
anne says
please come back!!!
Metemgee says
Anne, thanks for the support. I have a new post coming this Sunday and a little note about what I've been up to.
nerry lennon says
I second what Anne said above- we are very grateful for people like you; for all the effort, time, photos, etc. Thanks a million! I made your fudge and it came out great!
Metemgee says
Thank you.
Toya says
Your recipe is the best! Hands down! My hubby only ate roti made by his mom and since I've been making this (every week...pregnancy craving) he's been tearing it up! Thank you now I make this like a pro and it's delis! I know you said not to let it rest for more than 30 mins but one time I accidentally left it for almost an hour and 15 minutes and let me tell you it was the BOMB . COM!
Metemgee says
I think I said let it rest for at least 30 mins. Might have to recheck that. The longer you "soak" he dough the better it is. I found ghee at a local supermarket and I use that exclusively for my rotis and girl let me tell you!!! So good, so flaky.
Donna says
Can this ingredients in your recipe be doubled or will it effect the outcome of the roti?
Metemgee says
All of the ingredients can be doubled.
Donna says
Thank you. I also read in one of the messages that hot water should be used when making the dough...do you use hot water as well?
Metemgee says
I use warm water. Not hot but above room temperature.
Adena says
So I actually love you so much for this!!! I love roti but we never coked it in the house. We mostly bought it. I doubled my recipe but the water turned out to be too much so i had to add more of the other ingredients. I'm actually waiting for my dough before I parcel it off but I am so excited to eat this. Thanks!!
Antoinette Browne says
This recipe is spot on I made it today with the curry chicken and it was perfect from start to finish, my dough was exactly like your was , I was so proud of myself and the video help a lot I really like this sight because sometimes it is much better to see someone doing it, before you try to make the dish. Great job with this website. Keep cooking girl. Thank You I will be cooking with many of your recipes during this pandemic and beyond, next one Bread
Soclikes says
It is good recipe, thank you for sharing!
@Cacaomaa says
I was going to do the easy version but decided to test my skills with the original. It came out delicious! Now to practice the clapping technique lol
Claire says
Such beautiful recipe! After seeing Althea make roti on Instagram I couldn't resist giving it a try myself and WOW! It was really so easy to make, and was very loved by my whole family. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Althea Brown says
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and sharing your experience.
Winter says
Thanks so much for the recipes. I loved the roti. The recipe and instructions are perfect!
M says
For all the people, who use the metric system:
4 cups flour = 480g
1 teaspoon baking powder stays the same
2 tablespoons oil = 30ml
1/½ cups water = 360ml
½ cup oil = 120ml
¼ cup flour = 30g
Jackie says
I love this recipe!!!!! I made it this afternoon with my mom and made chicken curry. They were both delicious. I follow you on Instagram and have reconnected with my Guyanese roots.
Metemgee says
Thanks for sharing my recipe. Glad you were able to make it your own!