This recipe is an Afghan classic! Bolani is a fun, simple dough stuffed with healthy veggie fillings, like pumpkin, leek, and potatoes. These flatbreads can be made spicy (or not), and taste great topped with an easy mint and cilantro yogurt sauce. Kids will love these fresh and colorful Afghan flavors!

Bolani Recipe

Yield: 12 bolani
Supply List
Printable Recipe
Video tutorial: Facebook or YouTube

Ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons canola oil, additional oil for frying
• 2 1/2 cups + 1-2 Tablespoons warm water
• 1 1/2 cups filling (either Pumpkin Bolani Filling, Potato Bolani Filling, or Leek Bolani Filling), recipes below

Instructions for Adults

Assist with supervision of safe knife skills and stovetop.

Instructions for Kids

Add flour, salt, and 4 teaspoons of oil into a large mixing bowl. While mixing with a wooden spoon, add 1/2 cup warm water, adding more water 1/2 cup at a time until it binds. You’ll use about 2 1/2 cups plus 1-2 Tablespoons of water. This is a soft dough, but not sticky. Knead for 2 minutes in the bowl.

Cover with a dry towel. Let rest for 30 minutes. 

Flour a flat surface. Divide dough into 12 even-sized balls (about 1/2 cup each). Cover with a towel and let rest on the flat surface for another 30 minutes.

Heat skillet or frying pan over medium heat. On a flat surface, use a rolling pin to roll one ball of dough at a time into a thin round, about the thickness of a tortilla.  

Spread a thin layer of filling (either Pumpkin Bolani Filling, Potato Bolani Filling, or Leek Bolani Filling), about 2 Tablespoons, on top of half of the rolled dough. Fold in half to seal. Pat firmly to seal. 

Add 2 Tablespoons oil to the frying pan. Carefully add the stuffed, uncooked bolani. Cook until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Turn with tongs and cook 1-2 minutes on the second side until golden brown. 

Continue rolling, filling and frying bolani one at a time until they are all cooked.

Serve with Mint & Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce (recipe below).

Pumpkin Bolani Filling Recipe

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Ingredients 

• 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and grated
• 1 white onion, minced
• 1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions for Adults

Assist with supervision of safe knife skills.

Instructions for Kids

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside to use as filling for bolani. 

Potato Bolani Filling Recipe

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Ingredients 

• 3 medium potatoes, peeled, boiled and grated
• 1/2 large onion, minced
• 1 bundle green onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 fresh tomato, puréed 
• 1 Tablespoon black pepper 
• 1 Tablespoon ground coriander 
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 
• Salt to taste

Instructions for Adults

Assist with supervision of safe knife skills and stovetop while boiling potatoes.

Instructions for Kids

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Set aside to use as filling for bolani. 

Leek Bolani Filling Recipe

Yield: approximately 3 cups

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon canola oil
• 3 leeks, chopped or 1 bundle traditional gandana, or Afghan leek/chives 
• 1/2 jalapeño, minced (optional)
• Salt to taste 

Instructions for Adults

Assist with supervision of safe knife skills and stovetop.

Instructions for Kids

Heat 1 Tablespoon canola oil over medium heat in a sauté pan. Add leek and jalapeno. Sauté until just soft and bright green, about 2-3 minutes. If using traditional Afghan chives, skip the sauté step (these are less tough than traditional leeks). 

Mint & Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce Recipe

Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic 
• 7 large mint leaves 
• 1 jalapeño (optional)
• 1 cup cilantro 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste 
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup strained yogurt or Greek yogurt 

Instructions for Adults

Assist with supervision of safe knife skills.

Instructions for Kids

Purée the garlic, mint, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and water in a blender until smooth. Add yogurt and mix again only until combined, about 10-15 seconds. Serve with fresh bolani.

Hello! We hope you made and enjoyed this recipe from our Your Sandwich Can Save the World! Food Literacy Curriculum! Please note that all photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the Bolani Recipe on Food Literacy Center’s website. Thank you!