Ajwain Paratha
Whole wheat parathas seasoned with ajwain and a little ghee, then rolled and cooked until lightly crisp and speckled. These simple North Indian flatbreads are fragrant, comforting, and especially good with yogurt, pickle, or a dry sabzi.
For 4 servings
- mix · ~3 min
Mix the flour, ajwain, salt, and ghee.
1.Add whole wheat flour to a wide bowl.2.Sprinkle in ajwain and salt.3.Add 1 tbsp ghee and rub it into the flour until it feels slightly crumbly.TIPCrushing the ajwain lightly between your palms before mixing helps release more flavor. - knead · ~7 min
Knead a soft dough.
Add water little by little and knead into a soft, smooth dough. The dough should feel supple but not sticky.
- rest · ~15 min
Cover and rest the dough.
Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes so the flour hydrates and the parathas roll out easily.
- prep · ~3 min
Divide and shape the dough balls.
1.Knead the dough briefly once more.2.Divide it into 4 equal portions.3.Roll each portion into a smooth ball. - assemble · ~7 min
Roll the parathas.
1.Dust one dough ball lightly with flour.2.Roll it into a small disc.3.Fold it in half, then fold again to make a triangle, or simply roll it round if you prefer.4.Dust again and roll into a medium paratha about 6 to 7 inches wide.TIPUse only enough dusting flour to prevent sticking; too much makes the parathas dry on the tawa. - fry · ~8 min
Cook the parathas on a hot tawa.
1.Heat a tawa over medium heat until hot.2.Place one rolled paratha on the tawa and cook until small bubbles appear.3.Flip it and spread a little ghee around the edges and on top.4.Flip again and cook, pressing gently, until both sides have golden brown spots and the paratha is cooked through.TIPKeep the heat at medium so the paratha cooks through before the outside gets too dark. - serve · ~2 min
Serve the ajwain parathas hot.
Cook the remaining parathas the same way and serve hot with yogurt, pickle, or any curry or sabzi.
What to keep in mind.
8 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Lightly crush the ajwain between your palms before adding it so the seeds perfume the dough more strongly.
- 2Rub the ghee well into the flour until it looks sandy; that moyan helps the parathas cook up softer with light layers.
- 3Keep the dough soft and supple, not tight, or the rolled parathas will shrink back and turn chewy.
- 4Resting the dough for the full 15 minutes makes whole wheat easier to roll and gives a more even texture.
- 5Dust sparingly while rolling; excess dry flour burns on the tawa and leaves the parathas dull and dry.
- 6Start on a properly hot tawa, then keep the heat at medium so the inside cooks through before brown spots get too dark.
- 7Press the edges gently after the second flip, since the thicker folded parts of a triangular paratha need extra contact with the pan.
- 8To store, cool completely and stack in a cloth-lined box; reheat on a tawa, not in the microwave, to bring back the crisp spots.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Cook with minimal ghee on the tawa for a lighter everyday paratha while keeping the ajwain flavor intact.
veganVegan
Replace ghee with neutral oil in the dough and for roasting to make the parathas fully dairy-free.
masalaMasala
Add a pinch of red chili powder and roasted cumin to the dough for a more assertive tea-time paratha.
jainJain
This recipe is naturally Jain-friendly as written; serve with plain curd or a dry vegetable without onion or garlic.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Whole Grain Goodness
Made with whole wheat flour, these parathas provide more fiber and grain nutrients than flatbreads made from refined flour.
Digestive Spice Support
Ajwain is traditionally used in Indian cooking for its warm, digestive character, which pairs especially well with wheat doughs.
Simple, Minimal Ingredients
With atta, ajwain, salt, water, and ghee, this is a straightforward homemade bread without highly processed additions.
Frequently asked questions
The dough is usually too stiff, the tawa too cool, or the parathas are overcooked. Keep the dough soft, rest it, and cook on medium heat just until golden spots appear.
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