Go Back
+ servings
Finished kulchas cooling on a wire rack.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Punjabi Kulcha Naan

Amritsari Kulcha, or chur chur naan, is a beloved North Indian bread that will tantalize your taste buds. This vegan delight features a soft and fluffy dough filled with a lightly spiced potato mixture. It is simple to prepare and can be made in a home oven or stove top. This recipe is accessible to all.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting time1 hour
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8 kulchas
Calories: 367kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $4.50

Equipment

Ingredients

Dough

Filling

  • 1 ½ lb. 0.7 kg. Potatoes (about 4 medium russet potatoes), peeled and boiled until fork tender
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro coriander leaves
  • 1 minced green chili 4 teaspoons, or to taste
  • 2 ½ teaspoon chaat masala
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For baking and serving

Instructions

  • Dissolve the active dry yeast and sugar in warm (not hot) water. Allow it to rest for about five minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
  • Add the yeast mixture to the flour, salt, and oil and mix everything together by hand until a soft, sticky dough forms.
  • Transfer the dough onto a clean, floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can alternatively use a stand-mixer with a dough hook on medium speed for five minutes.
  • Place the tacky kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for one hour, or until it doubles in size.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a bowl, mash the boiled potatoes until smooth. Add chopped cilantro leaves, minced green chili, chaat masala, turmeric, ground cumin, and salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
  • While the dough is rising,  preheat your oven to the highest temperature possible (usually around 500°F or 260°C) and place a baking stone or steel inside to heat up. Preheating well in advance allows the stone to absorb the heat from the oven.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into eight equal-sized portions and shape them into balls.
  • Take one dough ball and roll it out into a small circle on a floured surface. Place a portion of the potato filling in the center of the circle.
  • Gather the edges of the circle and pinch them together to seal the filling inside, creating a stuffed ball. Gently flatten the ball and roll it out into a slightly thick, 6-7 inch (15-18 cm) kulcha. Repeat this process with the remaining dough balls and filling.
  • Sprinkle the tops of each kulcha with crushed coriander seeds, chopped cilantro and a generous sprinkle of Kashmiri red chili powder. Press the seasonings into the surface of the dough gently with your hand or rolling pin, so that the seasonings do not come off while baking.
  • Once the oven is preheated and the baking surface is hot, carefully transfer the rolled kulchas onto the hot stone or steel. Bake them for 8-10 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puff up. You can either transfer the formed kulcha into the oven with both hands or use a very lightly floured plate or pizza peel to transfer the dough into the oven.
  • Remove the baked kulchas from the oven and brush them generously with oil while they are still piping hot. Optionally you can garnish them with some fresh raw cilantro leaves, or a sprinkle of garam masala.
  • Serve the Amritsari Kulcha with channa, Punjabi dry bhindi, or your favorite curries and subjis.

Notes

  1. When mixing the dough, keep an eye on the texture. You want it smooth and slightly soft. Too dry and hard to form? Add a dash of water. Too sticky? A sprinkle of flour will help. Knead it just enough – not too much, not too little. Goldilocks would be proud.
  2. Rolling Magic: Roll out your dough gently. Not too thick, not too thin – aim for a middle ground. You don't want to miss that perfect crisp and soft combo.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 4mg