Homemade Naan Bread Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Jul 07, 2021, Updated Feb 26, 2024

5 from 11 votes

17 Comments

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This Naan bread is truly the best. It’s soft, buttery and easy to make in a skillet with a handful of simple ingredients. Homemade naan bread is even more delicious than your favorite Indian restaurant.

Homemade Naan Bread Recipe (2)

I have been on a quest to make the perfect homemade naan bread – and I finally mastered it with this recipe!

We make this homemade naan once a week because we love it SO much! It’s soft, buttery and easy to make in a skillet with a handful of simple ingredients.

Plus an added bonus is that you don’t need to turn on the oven to enjoy homemade bread during the warm summer months!

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Homemade Naan Bread: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s discuss the ingredients in this naan bread recipe, as well as possible substitutions.

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  • Honey. Granulated sugar can be used in place of honey in a pinch, but honey is best.
  • Whole milk. 2% milk works well, but I do not recommend using fat-free or skim milk.
  • Full-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste. You can use a 2% or fat-free Greek yogurt, your bread may just not be as pillowy soft.
  • Olive oil. Canola or avocado oil can be used in place of olive oil.
  • Baking powder. In order to get the perfect amount of bubbles (essential in naan bread), yeast and baking powder are used. It’s an essential ingredient not to be left out.
  • All-purpose flour. Bread flour can be used as a substitute for all-purpose flour.
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How to Make Naan Bread

This naan bread needs about an hour to rise once, so make sure you plan accordingly. We will walk through how to make naan step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin this recipe by combining the water yeast and honey in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook or in a large mixing bowl. Let sit until foamy.

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Once foamy, add milk, yogurt and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

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Next, add 2 cups of flour and sea salt to the wet ingredients and stir with the dough hook or by hand until incorporated.

Start with 2 cups then gradually add the rest of the flour as needed ¼ cup at a time until the dough forms a ball and is only very slightly tacky.

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Once the dough forms a ball, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.

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Then put the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a wet towel let rise until doubled. Once doubled, punch down the dough to release gas.

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Portion & Roll

Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.

Use a scale

If you love making bread and don’t have a food scale I highly recommend purchasing one. I always weigh the dough to ensure that the pieces are uniform.

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Roll each piece of dough into ¼” thick oval or circle. The shape isn’t critically important since the naan is cooked individually.

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Cook

Preheat a 10” round skillet over medium heat. I have used both a nonstick skillet and cast iron skillet with great results.

Brush one side of the naan dough circle with melted butter and place it buttered side down on the preheated skillet.

Immediately butter the other side (that is facing up) and lightly sprinkle it with garlic salt. Cook until large bubbles form (about 2-3 minutes)

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Once the first side is browned and there are plenty of bubbles, flip the naan and cook it on the second side until browned (about 2 more minutes)

If desired, sprinkle warm naan on one side with fresh cilantro. Remove from heat, let cool slightly and serve warm.

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Serve

Serve warm with your favorite Indian dishes. We like to make this naan bread to accompany our favorite mediterranean dishes as well (even though it’s Indian cuisine). I like to dip it in homemade hummus, white bean hummus or tzatziki, and serve with falafel.

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Store

Store this naan bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 5-10 seconds in the microwave or in the oven on low heat to restore the fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Freeze

Freeze this naan in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw by warming it in the microwave r on low heat in the oven.

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FAQs about Homemade Naan

Can I use milk instead of yogurt in naan bread?

Greek yogurt is an important ingredient in this naan recipe – I don’t recommend using milk in its place.

What is the difference between pita and naan?

My husband literally asked me this question yesterday. Naanhas a thicker, fluffier texture because it is made with yogurt. Pita is thinner bread made with less ingredients (flour, water, salt, etc) and no yogurt. Naan is cooked in a skillet while Pita is usually baked at very high temperatures in the oven.

How long does naan last?

Up to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

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Homemade Naan Bread Recipe

Laura

This Homemade Naan is truly the best. It’s soft, buttery and easy to make in a skillet with a handful of simple ingredients. This naan bread recipe is even more delicious than your favorite Indian restaurant.

5 from 11 votes

Course Appetizer, bread, Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 10 Servings

Calories 207

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time5 minutes minutes

Rising1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Naan Bread

Topping

  • ¼ cup salted butter melted (for brushing)
  • Garlic salt for sprinkling
  • Fresh cilantro chopped (Optional garnish)

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine water yeast and honey. Let sit until foamy.

  • Add milk, yogurt and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

  • Add 2 cups flour, baking powder and sea salt and stir until incorporated.

  • Add additional flour ¼ to ½ cup at a time until the dough forms a ball and is only very slightly tacky.

  • Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.

  • Lightly grease a large bowl, add dough and cover with a wet towel let rise until doubled.

  • Once doubled, punch down the dough to release gas.

  • Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces (I recommend weighing the dough to ensure they are all the same size).

  • Roll each piece of dough into ¼” thick oval or circle.

  • Preheat a 10” round skillet over medium heat.

  • Brush one side of the naan dough circle with melted butter and place it buttered side down on the preheated skillet.

  • Immediately butter the other side (that is facing up) and lightly sprinkle it with garlic salt.

  • Cook until large bubbles form (about 2-3 minutes)

  • Flip and cook on the second side until browned (about 2 more minutes)

  • If desired, sprinkle warm naan on one side with fresh cilantro.

  • Remove from heat, let cool slightly and serve warm.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Honey. Granulated sugar can be used in place of honey in a pinch, but honey is best.
  • Whole milk. 2% milk works well, but I do not recommend using fat-free or skim milk.
  • Full-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste. You can use a 2% or fat-free Greek yogurt, your bread may just not be as pillowy soft.
  • Olive oil. Canola or avocado oil can be used in place of olive oil.
  • Baking powder. In order to get the perfect amount of bubbles (essential in naan bread), yeast and baking powder are used. It’s an essential ingredient not to be left out.
  • All-purpose flour. Bread flour can be used as a substitute for all-purpose flour.

Store

Store this naan bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat for 5-10 seconds in the microwave or in the oven on low heat to restore the fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Freeze

Freeze this naan in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw by warming it in the microwave r on low heat in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Naan | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Homemade Hummus

Homemade Pita Bread Recipe

White Bean Hummus

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Baked Falafel Recipe

Homemade Naan Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What flour is naan bread made from? ›

OR just make a double batch of this naan so you can use one whole egg! 3. Flour – Bread flour makes the softest, fluffiest naan. But all-purpose/plain flour is very nearly as good.

Is naan bread healthier than regular bread? ›

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

What's the difference between flatbread and naan bread? ›

Naan is another flatbread traditionally served in Indian restaurants but the difference is that there will already be a filling inside these flatbread pockets. Naan may be stuffed with curd, fresh desiccated coconut, butter, nigella seeds, and raisins.

Should naan have yogurt? ›

Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt holds the naan dough together and ensures a tender texture. Make sure you get authentic Greek yogurt and not Greek-style yogurt.

What makes naan bread so good? ›

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

Why does naan need yeast? ›

Naan is essentially a leavened flatbread, which means it contains some form of raising agent to provide its airy texture. Hence for this naan, the raising agent we will be using is yeast. Other variations do exist which may utilise self raising flour or baking powder/baking soda.

Is naan bread good for gut health? ›

Naan made from whole grain, sourdough, rye, or other grain alternatives is richer in dietary fiber than those made with enriched flour or refined grains. Fiber helps to maintain bowel health and regulates bowel movements.

Which is healthier, pita or naan? ›

Naan is higher in protein (around 9 grams) and fat (around 5 grams) than pita and other breads.

What bread is closest to naan? ›

Kulcha. Kulcha is a kind of variation of naan. The mildly leavened flatbread is primarily a Punjabi Dish.

What is the best type of naan bread? ›

Plain Naan Bread

The Big Plain Naan is a flatbread made from wheat flour and is thick on the outside with a fluffy inner texture and when it comes to different types of naan breads, plain naan is one of the most popular.

What is another name for naan bread? ›

Naan
Alternative namesNan, Noon, Paan, Faan
Region or stateIran, Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Caribbean
Main ingredientsFlour, yeast, salt, sugar, ghee, water
Media: Naan
1 more row

Why do you sprinkle water on naan bread? ›

You sprinkle water to keep the naan bread soft. Naan bread will naturally stiffen when not eaten straight from the pan, so eat it as soon as you possibly can.

What do Indians eat naan with? ›

Classic curries and soups

One of the most popular Indian delicacies that we know of; curries are creamy with the right amount of spicy, curries pair perfectly with warm, fluffy naan.

Why is my naan bread not fluffy? ›

Naan doesn't get bubbles – Pan not hot enough, dough not moist enough or improper leavening. Naan turns hard – Toasting for too long, not enough moisture in the dough, toasting on low heat or not kneading the dough enough.

Is naan made of wheat or maida? ›

Flour: Naan is always made with all-purpose flour (or maida). For health reasons please choose organic or atleast unbleached flour. You can substitute all-purpose flour with wheat flour but you will surely not get the kind of fluffy, soft and chewy texture in your naan.

What is naan bread traditionally made from? ›

Naan is found in the cuisines mainly of Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Caribbean. Primarily composed of white or wheat flour combined with a leavening agent, typically yeast, naan dough develops air pockets that contribute to its fluffy and soft texture.

What grain is naan made from? ›

Made with ancient grains, spelt, buckwheat, Khorasan wheat and quinoa! These sweeter, smaller naan are sized just right to fit in your toaster. Perfect for breakfast and snack time.

Is naan made of rice flour? ›

Naan is traditionally made with all-purpose (wheat) flour, which is not gluten-free. But the gluten provides a stretchy element that can be tricky to replicate with gluten-free alternatives. But friends, we've done the trial and error so you don't have to!

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