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.
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.
5 Secrets to 20 Min Dinners
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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
Desiree Dee DeVolk
I make homemade yogurt and freeze it in ice cube trays for protein shakes. Do you think the defrosted yogurt would work?
Rasa Malaysia
Should work.
Margie
This is the best recipe for Naan bread I’ve ever had! So easy and soooo delicious!
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Margie.
Izabela
Can you make it with gluten-free flour?
Rasa Malaysia
I am not sure I haven’t tried.
Phillip Schwartz
My go recipe…ummmm!
Carmen
Made this again today! Came out perfectly!
Rasa Malaysia
Yay!
Robin
I’m a white guy living in rural Japan and was craving naan. It’s hard to find a place that does naan well. Thank you very much for the recipe! You’re the best!!
Rasa Malaysia
Thank you!😊
Laurie
This naan bread is delicious and easy. I have tried several different recipes but this one will be the keeper. The only thing I would change is the step that says to “transfer the flour to a flat surface and make a well in the middle. Add the yeast mixture…” I questioned this but did it anyway and the liquid mixture ended up running off the surface and onto the floor. Had to throw out the flour & yeast mixture and start over. This time I put the flour in a large bowl instead of putting on a flat surface before adding the other ingredients. Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing! (Vanilla yogurt works too…I didn’t have plain on hand.)
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks for the suggestion.
Tracy
Hi! Is it possible to substitute sour cream for the yogurt?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes.
Karen F
Made these last night and they turned out wonderfully! I had to substitute sour cream for the yogurt as I had none, but it was still brilliant! My husband loved them, and even ate one with peanut butter for dessert! 😊 Thanks for posting this!
Rasa Malaysia
Great!😊👍
Debbie
Can you freeze naan bread
Rasa Malaysia
Yes.
Diane Snyder
This is an AWESOME recipe. Incredibly easy and delicious. I used my Kitchenaid with the dough hook to knead the dough. I fried them for about a minute on each side in a cast iron skillet. Then sprinkled them with a pinch of kosher salt. They were pillowy soft and better than any store bought Naan I’ve ever had. At about 1/10th the cost of store bought. LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome Diane. So glad you love this recipe!
China
Made this tonight and it was delicious, fluffy, and easy to work with. The dough was sticky so I just lightly flour the surface one time on a smooth, wood surface. I was able to peel the dough off, but carefully. I could taste the yogurt on the dough (compared to using milk) and I honestly didn’t care for the tang it gave. But I wanted something authentic and this one hit the spot!
Rasa Malaysia
Nice!
roonie
Would it be possible to make the Naan and freeze, reheating before serving?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes!
roonie
Definitely Unequalled and with no throwing on the sides of the ceramic grill! Our family has lived all over the world and they all agreed it was hands down the best ever! Thank you!
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome thanks Roonie.
Tracey Jefferies
Great recipe they came out brilliantly #cookingontheboat
Thanks