Khapli wheat, also known as emmer wheat, has gained prominence in recent years for its nutritional value. The prices might still be steep because it has not become a mainstream atta yet, but given that its home is in the Indian regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, going back nearly 10,000 years, it is wise to indulge in local eating.
Khapli wheat has a lower gluten content, which is why baking can be a struggle, but not impossible. It has higher fibre levels and a richer micronutrient profile than usual wheat, making it worth a try in baked goods like bread. It is often associated with better digestion, slower glucose release, and improved satiety, making it a preferred choice for health-conscious individuals. Quality brands like Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta bring this ancient grain into modern kitchens.
The khapli wheat recipe of buttermilk bread below might be coarser and denser than your usual maida loaf, but it has more nutrients and is better for your body. The yeast is first proofed twice to develop the gluten in the dough, and then baked with an egg wash applied to the bread buns. You can also choose to make a bread loaf by shaping the dough into a rectangular shape instead of a spherical one.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
3 cupsAashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta
3 cupsBread flour
1 cupButtermilk
1 cupWarm water (adjust as needed)
4 1/2 tspYeast
1 tbspSugar
4 tbspButter
2 tbspMolasses
1 1/2 tspSalt
1 beatenEgg (for wash)
(to sprinkle)Oats or seeds
2 tbspMelted butter (for rolls)
Follow
Directions
Description - Step 1
Step 1: Activating the yeast
Take half a cup of warm water, and add the yeast and sugar to it. Let the yeast activate while you prepare the other ingredients.
Description - Step 2
Step 2: Mixing the activated yeast with butter and liquids
Take a medium-sized bowl and mix the melted butter, remaining warm water, buttermilk, molasses and salt. Then add the yeast mixture.
Description - Step 3
Step 3: Mixing the bread and khapli wheat flours
To the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, add the bread flour and 2 cups of the khapli wheat flour, stirring in the wet mixture with the yeast. Add more khapli wheat as needed if the dough is too sticky and soft. You should have a tacky, but not too sticky, dough.
Description - Step 4
Step 4: Mixing the bread and khapli wheat flours
Keep kneading the dough for another 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Grase a bowl lightly and transfer the dough to it. Set it aside to rest until the dough doubles.
Description - Step 5
Step 5: Shaping the dough
Punch down the dough and divide it into equal-sized rolls, around 20 balls. Rest the individual doughs after shaping them, and arrange them in a tray or a pan, for the second rise. The dough balls will rise again. During the last 20 minutes, preheat the oven to 220°C.
Description - Step 6
Step 6: Baking the bread
Once the dough rises a second time, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle oats or seeds. Bake at 220°C for the first 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 190ºC for another 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before slicing.
Step 1
Step 1: Activating the yeast
5 Minutes
Step 2
Step 2: Mixing the activated yeast with butter and liquids
Buttermilk adds acidity, which helps tenderise gluten, improves softness, and creates a moist crumb. It’s particularly crucial for khapli wheat, which tends to yield denser loaves.
Yes, it can be healthier than regular white bread when made with whole grains. Buttermilk adds calcium and protein, while fermentation improves the bread's digestibility.
Emmer wheat is considered more nutrient-dense than modern wheat, with higher fibre, protein, and minerals. It also has a lower glycaemic index and is often easier to digest for some people.
Yes, Khapli (emmer) flour can be used to make bread, but it produces denser loaves due to a weaker gluten structure. It works best combined with bread flour or long fermentation methods.