Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe With Rice Flour Hotel Style Cooking

Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe is a traditional Indian sweet flatbread made with fine semolina (chiroti rava) and rice flour, deep-fried and served soaked in rich sweetened milk or enjoyed plain with ghee or sugar. This version focuses on hotel-style cooking with a crisp exterior and soft, melt-in-mouth texture that you can easily replicate at home.

Recipe Card

Ingredients

• Chiroti Rava (Fine Semolina): 2 cups
• Rice Flour: 1 cup
• Ghee (Clarified Butter): 2 tbsp + extra for frying
• Warm Water: ¾ – 1 cup (as needed)
• Sugar: ¼ cup (for dough, optional)
• Salt: ½ tsp
• Milk: 4 cups (for soaking and milk mixture)
• Saffron Strands: 8–10 (optional, for milk)
• Cardamom Powder: ½ tsp
• Almonds & Cashews: 10 each, finely chopped (optional)
• Oil/Ghee: For deep frying

What Is Chiroti Rava?

Chirote (or Chiroti) refers to a layered, deep-fried sweet snack popular in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. Traditionally made with maida, this recipe uses chiroti rava — very fine semolina — that gives a light, crisp texture and golden color. According to Wikipedia, chirote is often served with sweetened milk or dusted with sugar for festive occasions.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparing The Dough (10 mins + 15 mins rest)

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups chiroti rava, 1 cup rice flour, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ cup sugar (optional for a sweeter base). Mix well so that dry ingredients are even. Understanding Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe is essential.

Add 2 tablespoons ghee and rub it into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add warm water, little by little, kneading to form a soft, pliable dough. It should not be sticky but rather smooth and elastic.

Also, cover the bowl and let the dough rest for at least 15 minutes. Resting helps the semolina absorb moisture and results in softer polies.

Step 2: Preparing Milk Soak (While Dough Rests)

In a deep pan, pour 4 cups whole milk and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Add 8–10 saffron strands soaked in a tablespoon of warm milk, ½ teaspoon cardamom powder, and a little sugar (adjust to taste). Stir continuously so the milk doesn’t burn at the bottom. This relates to Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe.

Therefore, simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and keep warm. This will be the sweetened milk you use to soak the cooked polies.

Step 3: Shaping The Polies (10 mins)

After the dough has rested, divide it into 10–12 equal-sized balls. Dust each ball lightly with rice flour.

However, using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a roughly 3–4 inch circle. Because the dough has semolina, roll gently to avoid cracking. If it cracks, pinch the edges to seal before frying. Learn more about Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe.

Step 4: Frying (15 mins)

Heat enough oil or ghee in a deep frying pan to submerge the polies. The temperature should be medium-high (about 350°F / 175°C). To test, drop a small piece of dough; it should rise slowly to the surface without browning immediately.

Therefore, fry each rolled poli one at a time. They should puff up slightly and become golden brown on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.

Step 5: Soaking In Milk (10 mins + standing)

Once all polies are fried, gently transfer them into the warm saffron cardamom milk. Press each one lightly so it soaks up the milk but does not break apart.

In contrast, let them sit in the milk for at least 10 minutes so the flavors marry. For a softer texture, allow them to stand for up to 30 minutes.

Pro Tips From My Kitchen

• When I first made this at home, I found that resting the dough well prevents cracking while rolling. This makes a huge difference in texture.
• If you want extra layers and fluffiness, you can spread a very thin layer of ghee on rolled polies and fold them like a pleated roti before final rolling. This hotel-style trick creates airy layers.
• Always fry on medium heat. Too hot oil browns the outside without cooking the inside properly.
• Add a splash of evaporated milk to the soaking milk for a richer taste, like some South Indian chefs do at restaurants. This adds creaminess without extra sugar.

Chef’s Notes

Substitutions

• Milk: You can substitute dairy milk with full-fat coconut milk for a different flavor or to make it lactose-free.
• Saffron: If saffron is unavailable, a pinch of turmeric can add color, though it alters flavor slightly.
• Sweetener: Swap sugar with jaggery paste (dissolved) for a traditional, slightly caramel flavor.

Storage Tips

• Store leftover fried polies (unsoaked) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Once soaked in milk, refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Before serving, bring to room temperature or warm slightly.
• Do not freeze the soaked polies; the texture will become mushy when thawed.

Nutrition Information (Approx. Per Serving)

This nutrition estimate includes the fried polies and milk soak per serving (one poli with milk). Values can vary with oil type, milk fat content, and portion size. Data is adapted from typical semolina milk desserts.

What Surprised Me About This Dish

When I visited my friend’s hotel kitchen in Bangalore, I learned how subtle changes in technique can improve this humble sweet to restaurant quality. The chefs there let the dough rest longer, and they use a ladle to push the rolled polies gently into the hot oil so they puff beautifully — a detail most home cooks overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Chiroti Rava Poli without deep frying?

Yes — for a lighter version, you can shallow fry the polies in a little ghee on a griddle. They won’t be as puffy but still delicious.

Is Chiroti Rava Poli the same as Paal Poli?

Chiroti Rava Poli becomes a Paal Poli when soaked in sweetened milk. According to a trusted recipe source, paal poli is essentially semolina poori dipped in milk with nuts and saffron.

Can I prepare dough ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it wrapped in cling film. Before use, let it come to room temperature and knead briefly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot or warm garnished with extra chopped almonds and a drizzle of warm ghee. In some South Indian temples and festivals, this sweet is offered as prasadam, symbolizing prosperity and celebration.

Enjoy your Chiroti Rava Poli Recipe with family and friends — a dish that bridges street food charm with hotel-style finesse.