Naan Bread
Naan is an Indian recipe; it’s a type of flat bread.
Traditionally they are baked inside a very hot clay tandoor oven, with charcoal or wood fire.
The naan bread are stuck to the inside of the oven just like the picture below.
The tandoor oven retains very high heat, up to 900°F and hence fills the inside of the flat bread with air pockets and bakes them to perfection.
Image Credit: Best of India Restaurant.
In a modern day kitchen, we do not have a tandoor oven, but you can make naan at home with a hot cast-iron skillet on the stove stop, or bake in the oven.
My naan recipe is made on a stove top, using a very hot cast-iron skillet.
The naan turn out extremely delicious, soft, puffy, airy, with the beautiful golden brown spots on the surface.
They taste just like the best Indian buffet restaurants!
Frequently Asked Questions about Naan:
Is Naan Bread Healthy?
Yes, it is super healthy. My recipe is quick and easy, fail-proof and cooked on a skillet. You do not need a tandoor oven!
Does it Have Eggs?
There is no eggs in the recipe. Vegan can’t eat them as this recipe calls for yogurt, which is not vegan-friendly.
The Origin of Naan
It originated from Iranian. However, different countries have its own version of the bread.
It’s a staple in Iran, many middle eastern countries, the Indian subcontinent countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.
The Difference Between Naan and Roti
They are both flat breads but different because of the ingredients used. Roti, for example, chapati is made with whole wheat flour and there is no yeast.
Naan is made with all purpose flour and you will need yeast to make the dough.
Tips on How to Make Naan
- First, you want to make the dough by combining the yeast and flour together. Knead the dough with hand or using a stand mixer and then rest to double the dough in size.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls. Heat up a cast-iron skillet on high heat to make naan.
- The high heat makes the dough rises and fills the middle part of the bread with an air pocket. It’s done when burnt brown “blisters” or spots appear, just like my pictures.
- Brush the fresh-off-the-skillet naan with some melted salted butter and top them with cilantro leaves.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe is only 295 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with Naan?
They are great with Indian curries with sauce, for example: chicken tikka masala or butter chicken.
For a wholesome Indian dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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How to Make Naan Bread?
Please refer to the recipe card below for detailed step-by-step method on how to make naan at home.
Naan Bread (The Best Recipe)
Naan - easy naan bread recipe using a cast-iron skillet. Soft, puffy with brown blisters just like Indian restaurants. This is the best recipe online!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 oz. (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
- some oil, for greasing the skillet
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the sugar, warm water, and yeast together. Stir to combine well. The yeast should be activated when it becomes foamy, about 10 minutes. Transfer the flour to a flat surface and make a well in the middle. Add the yeast mixture, yoghurt, salt and oil, knead the dough until the surface becomes smooth and shiny, about 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place (for example: beside the stovetop or warm oven). The dough should double in size, about 1 hour.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll the dough to a 8” circle using a rolling spin.
- Heat up a skillet (cast-iron preferred) over high heat and lightly grease the surface with some oil to avoid the dough from sticking to the skillet. Place the dough on the skillet. When it puffs up and bubbles and burnt spots appear, flip it over and cook the other side. Repeat the same until all dough are done.
- Brush the naan with the melted butter, serve warm.
Notes
Watch the cooking video on this page for step-by-step guide.
If the dough is sticky, add extra 2 more tablespoons of flour to bind the dough.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 295Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 12mgSodium 46mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 8g
Olivia
I made it with plain unsweetened vegan yogurt and it was amazing! As good or better than a restaurant, thank you so much for this glorious recipe! I used the So Delicious vegan yogurt brand.
Liz
This is such a good recipe! My son said, “You MADE these?!” Shows you how much faith he has in me as a baker :) Anyway, they have become a regular thing when I make shakshuka. Delicious! Thank you!
Jeanne
I love this recipe for naan. It’s so easy. I have made this recipe many many times and it is always fantastic!!
Patricia C Vener-Saavedra
How is yoghurt vegan? Is there something else that is more traditional? Also, have you ever tried making a sourdough version?
(I use sourdough instead of yeast and so far I have managed to make Challah, cookies, and biscuits with sourdough and am hoping to do the same with naan).
Thank you!
Marisa
You can use coconut or oat yogurt instead. I have also had success with using plant milk & a teaspoon of lemon juice mixed together.
Laurie
Can I use plain Greek yogurt?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes.
Michelle
This was such a great find for me! The recipe was so easy and it is absolutely delicious. Something so simple yet it’s so much better than store-bought!!
Rasa Malaysia
Yay, thanks Michelle.
Tami Rickhoff
THANK YOU MS. RASA. This recipe seems easy. Can not wait to make it for my hubby!
Stacey McCarthy
Oh, my! This was awesome Naan! The best recipe I have ever tried! I even made a gluten-free version that came out well. ( I am gluten-free.) It will be a staple in my house forever. Yum, yum, yum!
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Stacey! Great to know that GF flour works fine! :)
Jason Shepherd
Made this for the first time today. Very pleased how it came out. Thanks for the recipe. I’ll be making this again.
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome thanks for trying.
David
Perfect Naan.
I made it in my OONI pizza oven set on medium (500°).
I used Italian 00 flour and only 1 tsp of quick rise yeast.
Nice and chewy.
Thank you for a simply great recipe.
Petunia
Hi, quick question – this looks fantastic!! Can I make the dough and freeze? I was wondering if you ever tried this – if the yogurt will tolerate it? thanks. I’d like to make ahead and then take out of freezer the morning of? or the day before?
Rasa Malaysia
I would recommend making the naan and then freeze the naan instead of the dough. Freezing the dough, you will need to thaw to room temperature before cooking.
Nat
I am obsessed with this recipe. I have been gluten free for some months and was craving for a buttery bread and this satisfied my need! I used gf flour, changed the yogurt for almond milk, and I used vegan butter, and still is very delicious. Thanks a lot!
Admin
Thanks.