Pol Roti or Sri Lankan Coconut Roti is a delicious coconut-flavored flatbread from the islands of Sri Lanka. This is a great option for breakfast or brunch and is so simple to make.
When looking to make recipes for the International A to Z Flatbread, I often failed to look close to home. When I thought of looking for some special flatbread from around India, I landed on this recipe for Pol Roti which is a Sri Lankan coconut flatbread.
It was so simple to make and so flavorful with just a handful of ingredients. When looking at any coastal states or countries, we tend to use more of the tropical flavor. Sri Lanka being a coastal island uses a lot of coconut in their cooking.
This roti is also made with a spicy coconut paste that is mixed along with the flour. This Pol Roti is typically served for breakfast, but I see why it would not make up for a great lunch or dinner recipe.
I served mine with some simple Dali Thoy and that is all it needed for the side as the roti by itself was quite flavorful. I thought that the deep coconut flavor of the Konkani special Dali Thoy worked better to enhance that tropical flavor.
Preparation time - 15 minutes plus about 30 minutes of resting time
Cooking time - about 30 minutes
Difficulty level - easy
Ingredients to make Pol Roti - Makes about 12
- Whole wheat flour - 1 cup
- All-purpose flour/maida - 1 cup
- Coconut - ¾ cup (grated)
- Green chilies - 5
- Onion - 1 medium (finely chopped)
- Butter - 2 TBSP
- Salt - to taste
- Coconut oil - to cook the flatbread
- Water - as needed to make a dough
Procedure to make Pol Roti
- In a small mixer, grind the grated coconut and the green chilies until the chilies are well-ground. If using frozen coconut, thaw the coconut before using.
- I used my food processor to make the dough. you could also knead the dough using your hands.
- Place both the flours, ground coconut / green chilies mixture, salt to taste, and butter in the food processor bowl.
- Run the food processor to combine all the ingredients. Now add the chopped onion and combine. Slowly add just enough water to make a stiff dough. Be careful when adding water as the coconut and onion has enough moisture.
- Rest the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a tawa/griddle in medium-low heat.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Dust the dough with flour and then roll it into slightly thick circles.
- Cook the roti in the hot pan. Use some coconut oil to brush the rotis and cook until the rotis are golden brown on both sides.
- Remove and keep it warm until ready to serve.
- I served the roti with some simple Dali Thoy / Vegan spiced lentil.
Other Roti Recipes
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Recipe
Pol Roti | Sri Lankan Coconut Flatbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- 1 cup All purpose flour / maida
- ¾ cup Coconut grated
- 5 Green chilies
- 1 Onion Medium finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- Salt to taste
- Coconut oil to cook the flatbread
- Water -as needed to make a dough
Instructions
- In a small mixer, grind the grated coconut and the green chilies until the chilies are well ground. If using frozen coconut, thaw the coconut before using.
- I used my food processor to make the dough. you could also knead the dough using your hands.
- Place both the flours, ground coconut / green chilies mixture, salt to taste and butter in the food processor bowl.
- Run the food processor to combine all the ingredients. Now add the chopped onion and combine. Slowly add just enough water to make a stiff dough. Be careful when adding water as the coconut and onion has enough moisture.
- Rest the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a tawa / griddle in medium low heat.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Dust the dough with flour and then roll it into slightly thick circles.
- Cook the roti in the hot pan. Use some coconut oil to brush the rotis and cook until the rotis are golden brown on both sides.
- Remove and keep it warm until ready to serve.
- I served the roti with some simple Dali Thoy / Vegan spiced lentil.
Eddie says
Made these the other day to go with a Sri Lankan Dhal and they went down very well. I made both spicy with onion and chilli and mild with just coconut. As the Dhal is a firm favourite in our house i will be making many more of these delicious Roti. Thank you
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it.
code2cook says
making coconut roti was in my agenda too, but slipped from my mind. Your pol roti sri lankan coconut flatbread looks amazing. I am sure it will be delicious, aromatic and chewy with coconut filling. Love the addition of onion here. you have created such an amazing flatbread collection dear.
Renu says
This coconut roti looks so yummy and soft and a different way to enjoy coconut. A good fine for the letter
Padmajha PJ says
That's a nice flatbread Sandhya. I have this in my bookmarks but God knows when I am going to make it! Pol Roti would have tasted great with that Dali Thoy!
Ritu Tangri says
Addition of onion and green chillies to this coconutty flatbread must have given an added flavor to this wonderful bread. I'm yet to try pol roti. I'm sure with onion and green chili in it I will love it.
preeti garg says
Pol roti is very flavorful bread made with coconut and makes me hungry.
Srivalli says
Pol roti is an amazing roti and I enjoyed eating it. You have done it so well sandhya. It is true that we sometimes search all over the place forgetting the places close to us.
Mayuri Patel says
I like your idea of adding onion and chilis along with the coconut to make these delicious looking pol rotis. I made dalithoy recently and loved it. So different from the dals I make and easy.
Gayathri Raani says
Same pinch Sandhya. Even I made pol roti but my version is slightly different. Yours with the onions look amazing..
harini says
The first thing my little one pointed out over my shoulder is that these rotis look awesome. Pol roti has been a popular choice for today.
Vaishali Sabnani says
Coconut has such a delicious flavour and it’s so versatile! Love these coconut rotis , the addition of onion must be giving it a crunch . The rotla have come out perfect rounds , super post Sandhya .
Priya Suresh says
Love pol roti very much as this flatbread calls for coconut and onions in it. Have tried long back with ragi and this pol roti is just prefect to make some for our dinner rite now.. Well done and lovely pick for 'P' Sandhya.
Sowmya says
Wow! That looks so stunning! Love the pics...absolutely drool worthy!
Coconut in a flatbread sounds so delicious...bookmarking!