When it comes to traditional Indian flatbreads, bhakri holds a special place. Unlike soft wheat rotis, bhakri is thicker, more rustic, and deeply connected to rural kitchens of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat. Among all varieties, the Sorghum Bhakri (Jowar Bhakri) is one of the most beloved.
Made from jowar flour (sorghum flour), this gluten-free flatbread is earthy, wholesome, and extremely satisfying. For generations, farmers and households across India have enjoyed jowar bhakri with pithla (gram flour curry), thecha (spicy chutney), or simply with ghee and jaggery.
Today, with rising awareness about millets, Sorghum Bhakri is making its comeback as a healthy everyday bread – perfect for diabetics, weight-watchers, and anyone looking to reconnect with ancestral food wisdom.
🛒 Ingredients for Sorghum Bhakri (Makes 6–7 bhakris)
- Jowar flour (sorghum flour) – 2 cups 🌾
- Warm water – about 1¼ cups 💧
- Salt – ½ tsp 🧂
- Ghee or oil – for brushing (optional) 🧈
🥣 Step-by-Step Cooking Method
🔹 Step 1: Prepare the dough
- Heat 1¼ cups of water until warm (not boiling).
- In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups jowar flour and salt.
- Gradually add warm water while mixing with a spoon.
- Knead into a soft, pliable dough.
👉 Warm water is crucial – it helps bind gluten-free jowar flour.
🔹 Step 2: Rest the dough
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth.
- Let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
👉 This makes bhakris softer and easier to roll.
🔹 Step 3: Shape the bhakri
- Take a small ball of dough (lemon-sized).
- Place it on a flat surface dusted with jowar flour.
- Gently pat and spread with your palms, moving in circles until you form a thin, round disc.
👉 Traditionally, bhakri is shaped by hand, not with a rolling pin.
🔹 Step 4: Roast the bhakri
- Heat a tawa (griddle) on medium flame.
- Place the bhakri carefully on the hot tawa.
- Roast for 30–40 seconds, then flip.
- Press lightly with a spatula or cloth – the bhakri should puff up.
- Flip again until both sides get light brown spots.
🔹 Step 5: Serve hot
- Brush with ghee (optional) for extra softness.
- Serve immediately with your favorite curry or chutney.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- 🌶️ With thecha – a fiery Maharashtrian green chili-garlic chutney.
- 🍛 With pithla – the classic gram flour curry pairing.
- 🧄 With baingan bharta – roasted eggplant mash.
- 🍯 With jaggery & ghee – a sweet, wholesome combo.
- 🥒 With curd & salad – a light, refreshing meal.
💡 Tips & Tricks for Perfect Jowar Bhakri
- Use warm water – Cold water makes the dough dry and crumbly.
- Moist hands – Keep your palms slightly wet while patting the bhakri to prevent cracks.
- Cook on medium heat – Too high heat burns it; too low makes it hard.
- Serve fresh – Bhakris taste best hot; they tend to harden if stored long.
- Practice makes perfect – Shaping bhakri by hand takes practice, but the rustic taste is worth it.
🌿 Health Benefits of Sorghum Bhakri
- Gluten-free – Ideal for those with gluten intolerance.
- Rich in fiber – Supports digestion and prevents constipation.
- Diabetic-friendly – Low glycemic index helps control blood sugar.
- Protein & minerals – Good source of iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
- Weight management – Keeps you full for longer, reducing overeating.
🎉 Cultural Significance
In rural Maharashtra and northern Karnataka, jowar bhakri is daily bread. Farmers eat it with spicy chutneys, onions, or pithla before heading to the fields. It’s not just food – it’s energy for long hours of hard work.
In Gujarat, it’s enjoyed with baingan bharta, while in Telangana and Andhra, it pairs beautifully with sorghum-based curries. Bhakri embodies the simplicity of rural India – rustic, hearty, and nourishing.
📝 Nutritional Value (per bhakri, approx.)
- Calories – 110 kcal
- Protein – 3 g
- Carbohydrates – 22 g
- Fiber – 3 g
- Fat – 1 g
- Calcium – 12 mg
🏁 Conclusion
Sorghum Bhakri (Jowar Bhakri) is a timeless dish that bridges the gap between tradition and modern healthy living. With its earthy flavor, wholesome texture, and unmatched nutrition, it deserves a permanent spot in our kitchens.
So next time you crave a rustic Indian flatbread, skip the wheat roti and try this jowar-based delight. Serve it hot with chutney, curry, or even plain ghee – and experience a true taste of India’s heritage. 🌾✨