Afghan Stuffed Flatbread / Bolani

Potatoes stuffed inside a fried flatbread can hardly be classified as “healthy,” but sometimes it’s okay to be naughty 😎

  While in California, my love for Afghan food was reignited and I set out to make the best Bolani, Afghan stuffed flatbread, I could.  I grew up eating lots of Afghan food, so any so-so recipe just wasn’t going to cut it.  Plus, my brother is somewhat of a Bolani snob.

The recipe is very simple, and the flavors of the actual vegetables shine through.  The only tough part of this recipe was the kneading of the dough for almost ten minutes.  Ten whole minutes!  I guess I can justify making it because my arms got quite the workout 😉

5 from 1 vote

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Bolani (Afghan Stuffed Flatbread)

Course Appetizer, Iftar, Snack, Tea Time

Cuisine Afghan

Keyword Afghan, Appetizer, Bread, Iftar, Potatoes, Ramadan, Snacks, Tea Time

Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon neutral flavored oil
• 1 cup water, at room temperature

Filling

• 1 pound (2 large or 3 small potatoes) boiled, peeled, and mashed
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• ½ cup chopped spring onions
• 2 tablespoons neutral flavored oil
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Neutral flavored oil, for pan-frying

Instructions

Prepare Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt together. Slowly add oil and water and mix until a cohesive ball is formed. If the dough seems dry, add additional water one tablespoon at a time. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and set aside for one hour.

Prepare Filling

1. Combine mashed potatoes, cilantro, spring onions, oil, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt and mix well. Try to mash the filling so that it is as smooth as possible. Set aside.

Assemble and Cook

1. Divide the dough and filling into 6 to 8 portions.
2. Roll each ball of dough on a lightly floured surface into a large and thin circle, 8 to 10-inches in diameter. Spread a portion of the filling over half of the circle, leaving a ¼-inch border around the edges. Fold the dough in half over the filling and press to seal. Be sure to flatten out any air pockets.
3. Heat a few teaspoons of oil in a skillet or frypan over medium-high heat. Transfer bolani to pan and cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides, which should only take a few minutes.

Recipe Notes

Bolani can be served with yogurt and mint sauce.

Leftovers can be reheated on a nonstick pan without any oil.