Soft and Fluffy Deep-Fried Bread

Name: Soft and Fluffy Deep-Fried Bread (Bhatura)
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida); 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida); 1 tablespoon fine semolina (sooji/rava); 1 tablespoon fine semolina (sooji/rava); 1 tablespoon fine semolina (sooji/rava); 1 teaspoon kalonji (nigella seeds); 1 teaspoon kalonji (nigella seeds); 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1½ teaspoons kosher salt; ¼ cup plain yogurt; 2 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil, for kneading, plus 2 to 3 cups, for deep frying; 2 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil, for kneading, plus 2 to 3 cups, for deep frying

Bhatura

Preparation info

Yield:
10 to 12
bhaturas

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Everyday Indian from Archana’s Kitchen

By Archana Doshi

Published 2026

About

A soft, slightly tangy, deep-fried bread, bhatura is an iconic Punjabi dish often served with chole (chickpea curry). The airy, chewy texture of fermented dough fried until golden makes it an indulgent treat. The first time I made bhaturas at home, the way they puffed up in the oil was pure joy!

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
1 tablespoon fine semolina (sooji/rava)

Asia
India
Punjab
Bread
Vegetarian

Method

In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, semolina, kalonji, yeast, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the yogurt and 3 tablespoons of lukewarm water, 1 or 2 teaspoons at a time. Knead to make a smooth dough.

Oil the palms of your hands with 1 tablespoon of oil. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the dough and knead until it becomes smoo