Can you refrigerate roti dough overnight before baking?

Question

Find out if roti dough can be stored overnight and how it affects cooking quality.

Answer 1

Yes, you can refrigerate roti dough overnight. Refrigerating the dough allows the gluten to relax, resulting in softer and more pliable rotis.

Detailed Explanation:

Refrigerating roti dough overnight is a common practice that can improve the texture and flavor of your rotis. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how to do it properly:

1. Prepare the Dough: Make your roti dough as you normally would, using flour, water, and a little oil or ghee. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

2. Oil the Dough: Lightly coat the dough ball with oil or ghee. This prevents it from drying out in the refrigerator.

3. Wrap the Dough: Wrap the oiled dough tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This will further prevent it from drying out and absorbing odors from the refrigerator.

4. Refrigerate: Place the wrapped dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. The longer it rests, the more relaxed the gluten will become.

5. Bring to Room Temperature: Before rolling out the rotis, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out.

6. Roll and Cook: Roll out the rotis and cook them on a hot tawa as usual.

Pro Tip:

If you're planning to refrigerate the dough for longer than 8 hours, reduce the amount of water slightly when making the dough. This will prevent the dough from becoming too sticky as it sits in the refrigerator.