This chapati roll, or rolex is traditional street food in Uganda. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and all you need is an uncooked tortilla, eggs, cheese, and your fave seasonal vegetables for an easy & hand held meal.
[This recipe was originally posted in September 2019. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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Table of contents
What's rolex?
This chapati roll, or rolex (as it's called in Eastern African countries), which is an egg mixture, wrapped in an unleavened bread called chapati.
It's a quick meal that I enjoyed and saw a lot of vendors selling when I lived in a small village in Uganda.
Lola of Chef Lola's Kitchen shares more on rolex. Try her recipe too!
How will this rolex make your life easier?
Eggs are by far the most common throw together dinner. You know those nights you're hungry, tired, but would rather make something than grab something out.
They're versatile and easy to throw together, just like in this chapati roll.
More easy breakfast ideas with eggs:
- breakfast tacos
- sausage & egg breakfast casserole
- huevos rancheros
- South African spiced shakshuka
- quick microwavable egg bowl
What makes this vegetable chapati so good?
How do I make an egg and vegetable roll?
Start making your chapati roll by sauteeing vegetables & garlic in oil and salt. Sautee them on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, cook until softened, for about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan when done.
Keep remaining oil from the vegetables in the pan, it'll make your tortilla taste more like chapati.
Instead of using chapati or roti (they're not as easy to find in American grocery stores), heat up an uncooked tortilla over medium heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until one side is slightly browned and little bubbles form.
Flip tortilla and cook another 1-2 minutes, or until the second side is slightly browned. Slide a spatula under the tortilla to remove from pan and place on a plate. Set aside.
Cook eggs for your chapati roll: Add eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt & pepper to a medium bowl, whisk together.
This egg mixture will be more similar to an omelet than scrambled eggs. Pour eggs into a non-stick fry pan. Using a rubber spatula, stir eggs in little circles as they cook.
Scrape down sides often, and stir until eggs are mostly cooked, about 3 minutes.
Press down eggs with spatula so they're even thickness and there are no holes, it'll be great in your chapati roll.
Once eggs are mostly cooked, pour vegetable mixture over them, spread out until they're even and sprinkle cheese over vegetables. Cook until cheese is melted. Slide spatula under eggs to make sure they're not stuck to the pan.
Once eggs are done, slide out of pan onto the tortilla to assemble your chapati roll. Your egg mixture will cover the tortilla.
Roll up tortilla with egg mixture. Enjoy your chapati roll immediately.
Expert tips
- Use whatever vegetables you have in your chapati roll.
- If the eggs break up, press them together with your spatula, then carefully slide it onto the tortilla and roll up. You won't notice a difference. This happened to me more than it didn't.
- Traditionally this is eaten on the go, so you can roll it in a towel and eat on the go, or eat from a plate like I did.
- Other add-ins: onions, bell pepper, spinach, tomatoes, and other vegetables are great in a chapati roll.
FAQ
Chapati is an unleavened flatbread eaten in Eastern Africa, and other countries in Asia and the island countries in Asia. It's most similar to Indian naan, but also to a tortilla.
Chapati isn't as available in the US. I instead of making it, I used uncooked tortillas and thought it was really similar to the chapati I ate in Uganda.
Uncooked tortillas are thinner than chapati, and are cooked in less oil, but they're similar.
Once eggs are on top of the tortilla, fold the tortilla + eggs over itself, about ¾-1 inch long. Then continue to roll away from you until it's all rolled up. The key to a nice round chapati roll is rolling it tightly.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Eggs: Breakfast Tacos, Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches, or Microwave Egg Bowl
- Tortillas: Bean and vegetable quesadilla, Vegetarian tacos
Did you make a chapati roll? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Chapati Roll with Summer Vegetables
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- small non-stick fry pan
- rubber spatula
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon mild oil I used grapeseed
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¾ cup chopped vegetables I used zucchini and corn
- ½ teaspoon salt divided
- 2 whole eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 whole uncooked tortilla
- 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat small non-stick fry pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon garlic, ¾ c vegetables, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir vegetables until they're soft and cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from pan, set aside. Leave any remaining oil in the pan.
- While vegetables are cooking, crack two eggs into a small mixing bowl. Add milk and remaining salt. Whisk together until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Once vegetables have been removed from the pan, place uncooked tortilla in pan. Cook until first side turns opaque, about 1-2 minutes. Flip tortilla, and cook for another 2 minutes. Poke air bubbles with a fork. Second side will be more brown than the first side. Remove and set on serving plate.
- Pour egg mixture into the non-stick fry pan. Using a small rubber spatula, stir eggs in little circles as they cook. This is similar to a French omelet. Scrape down sides often, and continue to stir until eggs are mostly cooked, about 3 minutes. Press down eggs with spatula so they're even thickness and there are no holes.
- Once eggs are mostly cooked, pour vegetable mixture over them, spread out until they're even and sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese over vegetables. Cook until cheese is melted. Slide spatula under eggs to make sure they're not stuck to the pan.
- Once eggs are done, slide out of pan onto the tortilla. The egg mixture will cover the tortilla. Roll tortilla with egg mixture up. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use whatever vegetables you have on hand!
- If the eggs break up, that's fine, still slide it onto the tortilla and roll up. You won't notice a difference. This happened to me more than not.
- Traditionally this is eaten on the go, so you can roll it in a towel and eat on the go, or eat from a plate like I did. Eat on a plate with a knife & fork or hold it for easy access.
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Whitney says
This looks like a versatile recipe to have on hand, I am always looking for new egg recipes to switch up the daily routine of plain old scrambled eggs.
Rebecca says
awesome! hope you like it!
Jennie Duncan says
Wow, this looks so easy to make, and I can't wait to try it!
Rebecca says
ya it's so easy! thanks
Sonal says
Chapati travels to Africa from India. It’s a native flat bread from the country :). I love discovering chapati or roti in other cuisines as quintessential bread and used in different recipes. Thanks for sharing this.
Rebecca says
That's awesome & you're so right, thanks for sharing! Chapati & roti are both so good and I love how we can find them or something really similar in so many different cuisines
Hayley says
This looks like it would make a great breakfast recipe also!
Rebecca says
totally! It's good any time of the day
Kelly Anthony says
I love simple quick meals like this one. This will also make a great afternoon snack for the kids after school.
Rebecca says
oh it'd be such a great snack!