Chapati (Ugandan Flatbread)

Chapati became a daily bread in many homes because it was filling, affordable, and flexible. When feeding a family, making a stack of chapatis in the morning could carry everyone through the day.

What Chapati Is

Chapati is a soft flatbread made with flour, water, and salt. It is cooked on a hot flat pan and enjoyed on its own or paired with beans, meat, or eggs.

Ingredients

• All‑purpose flour
• Warm water
• Salt
• Cooking oil

If cooking outside of Uganda, a heavy-bottomed pan works best for chapati

Method

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Add water gradually and mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead until the dough becomes smooth and less sticky.
4. Add a small amount of oil and knead again until elastic.
5. Cover and let the dough rest for 20–30 minutes.
6. Divide into small balls.
7. Roll each ball into a flat round.
8. Heat a flat pan with a little oil.
9. Cook chapati on both sides until brown spots appear.
10. Remove from heat and stack while warm.

Variations

• Add finely chopped onion for flavor.
• For Kenyan‑style chapati, use a softer dough and slower heat.

How Chapati Is Eaten

Chapati can be eaten with beans, meat, eggs, or rolled together as street food like Rolex or Kikomando.