Roti vs. Naan: Which Indian Flatbread Is Superior? (2024)

FAQs

Roti vs. Naan: Which Indian Flatbread Is Superior? ›

Naan is usually much thicker than any type of roti and will have a more dense mouthfeel in comparison to roti. However, both of these flatbreads will be soft and chewy. No matter which type of Indian flatbread you choose, both are indispensable aspects of this diverse cuisine.

Roti is generally considered healthier than naan. Roti is lower in calories and contains zero saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In contrast, naan tends to be higher in calories and may contain added fats. For a healthier choice, roti is often preferred, especially by those conscious of their dietary intake.

Chapati / Roti

Whether you call it chapati or roti, this bread goes by many different names and is perhaps the most popular flatbread in India. Made of a simple recipe of wheat flour and water, every household in India has its own signature take on this Indian flatbread.

Tandoori Roti also has almost zero cholesterol, as we do not use any saturated or trans fats while preparing the dough or during cooking. On the other hand, Naan uses ghee or butter in its preparation, so it has some saturated fats and cholesterol.

Methi Thepla

This is a popular Indian flatbread made by mixing fresh fenugreek leaves in whole wheat flour. It is a flavorful and nutritious bread high in fiber and easy to digest.

Saturated fat constitutes about a quarter of the total amount of fat in naan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that saturated fat calories account for less than 10% of your total daily calorie intake ( 6 ). As such, you should avoid filling up on naan if you're watching your saturated fat intake.

A healthier alternative that is eaten daily in most indian households, is roti (also called chapati or fulka). It's an unleavened flatbread made of just two ingredients - whole wheat flour and water.

Indian flatbread which is also known as Chapati or Roti is a traditional bread prepared using whole wheat flour, salt, ghee/oil, and water.

Different varieties of Indian bread and pancake include chapati, phulka, puri, roti, bajra rotla, thepla, paratha, naan, kulcha, bhatoora, appam, dosa, luchi, puran poli, pathiri, and parotta. Some of these, like paratha and roti, have many varieties.

Which is better paratha or naan? ›

Paratha vs Naan: Nutritional Showdown

However, it is often made with whole wheat flour and if so, can offer more fiber. Naan, made with all-purpose flour and dairy products, also packs a higher calorie and fat content due to ingredients like yogurt or milk.

Here is an approximate calorie comparison of the four types of Indian flatbreads you mentioned: Roti: A plain roti, made with whole wheat flour, has around 70-100 calories per piece, depending on its size. Naan: A plain naan, made with refined flour and cooked with ghee or butter, has around 200-300 calories per piece.

The next time you're tempted to make naan, make roti instead. It will go perfectly with whatever Indian dish you're cooking up, whether that's a curry, some paneer or even butter chicken.

Roti. Roti is the most basic flatbread served with different subzis as a pairing. Made out of a well-knead dough using ingredients like wheat flour, water and salt, rolled into round shapes and cooked on a utensil called Tawa.

One of the main differences between these two flatbreads is in the way that they are cooked. Before your naan or roti reaches your table, Roti will be cooked in a Tawa or flat skillet while naan is usually cooked in a tandoor oven. Both roti and naan have different types and varieties.

Roti is generally considered healthier than paratha. Roti is typically made from whole wheat flour and is unleavened, whereas paratha is a type of Indian bread made from whole wheat flour and often contains more oil or ghee, making it higher in calories and fat compared to roti.

Naan bread can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose whole grain varieties. Naan bread contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, fiber, and iron, as well as fiber. It also is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.

The majority of packaged bread is processed, therefore the dietary fibre content is minimal. Since roti is never processed, it retains its roughage. Therefore, it is preferable to rely on roti for your daily intake of roughage, which is essential for having easy bowel movements.

Which is healthier: bread or naan? Naan is a flatbread, whereas bread comes in loaves. Naan is higher in fat, protein, and carbohydrates than loaf bread. The higher protein content of naan will allow you to feel fuller for longer and curve cravings.