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Home » Recipes » Bread Recipes

Homemade Naan Bread Recipe

Published: Mar 11, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

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My Homemade Naan Bread Recipe is easy to make and is so much better than the store-bought variety. Tender, soft, and buttery, my naan bread is as good as your favorite Indian restaurant.

Stack of Naan Bread.


 

I was surprised by how easy it was to make Naan Bread and how much I enjoyed the chewy texture of the cooked naan. I thought it would be the same as pita bread, and while there are similarities, I think my naan bread recipe makes a much better flatbread.

Naan bread with chicken tikka masala.

My Indian Naan Bread recipe is the perfect accompaniement to Butter Chicken or my Chicken Tikka Masala.

Traditionally, naan bread is cooked in a tandoor oven (cylindrical clay oven) fired by wood or charcoal at a very high temperature. Using this method the high temps cause the flatbread to cook quickly, only taking 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden brown color with charred spots.

These days naan bread is usually made stovetop using a cast iron pan to replicate the appearance you get from the authentic tandoor cooking process.

Table of Contents:
  • Ingredients to make Naan Bread
  • How to make Naan Bread
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Naan Bread

Ingredients to make Naan Bread

ingredients to make recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Naan Bread. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Simple Pantry Ingredients

  • all-purpose flour
  • active dry yeast
  • granulated sugar
  • water
  • olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • Greek yogurt
  • salt
  • butter

How to make Naan Bread

collage showing how to make recipe.
  • Add the sugar, warm water, and yeast to a small mixing bowl.
  • Stir to combine. Let the mixture set for 10 minutes to activate the yeast. It will be foamy when activated.
  • Place the flour on a clean flat surface and make a well in the middle.
  • Add the yeast mixture, yogurt, salt, and oil to the center of the flour.

*If you want to make Garlic Naan, add two teaspoons of minced garlic to the wet ingredients before mixing it into the dough.

collage how to finish dough.

Knead the dough until the surface becomes smooth and shiny, about 10 minutes. Then cover the dough with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for one hour. The dough should double in size.

  • Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions.
rolled out dough, with rolling pin.

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to make an 8” circle.

collage of how to cook recipe.
  • Place a cast iron skillet ( or regular skillet) over high heat and lightly grease the surface with an oiled paper towel, to keep the dough from sticking.
  • When the skillet is hot, place the dough on the skillet. The dough will puff up as it cooks, and air bubbles will form along with blackened spots, on the golden brown first side.
  • At this point flip over the naan and let the other side cook.
buttering naan bread with blue silicone brush.

Brush the naan with the melted butter and serve warm. Naan bread goes well with curries, hummus, kebabs, grilled vegetables, soups, stews, and rice dishes.

For Garlic Naan, add one tablespoon of finely minced garlic to the melted butter and let it cook for one minute over medium heat. Brush the naan with the garlic butter.

Stack of Naan Bread.

This buttery homemade naan is extremely versatile and makes a delicious addition to your dinner table.

Wouldn’t you love to surprise your family with delicious homemade naan bread? I know they’re going to love it, and it’s a good way to introduce Indian dishes to your friends and family.

Recipe FAQ’s

Is naan bread a healthy bread option?

According to experts, naan bread is more nutrient-dense than pita or white bread. Although it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its high amounts of protein and fiber compared to bread or pita.

What’s the difference between naan and pita?

Naan is more tender and moist than pita bread, and this is due to the oil and butter used to make the bread. The fat content of naan is twice that of pita, which makes a big difference in the flavor and tenderness of the bread.

How do I make Garlic Naan?

If you want to make Garlic Naan, add two teaspoons of minced garlic to the wet ingredients before mixing it into the dough.
After baking, add one tablespoon of finely minced garlic to the butter and let it cook for one minute over medium heat. Brush the naan with the garlic butter.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • tikka masala with rice and naan bread in a white bowl.
    Chicken Tikka Masala
  • shrimp and broccoli skewers on a bed of jasmin rice on a white platter
    Asian-Style Grilled Shrimp and Broccoli Skewers
  • loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden cutting board
    Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
  • slices of Irish soda bread next to loaf
    Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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Stack of Naan Bread.

Naan Bread

My Naan Bread Recipe is easy to make and is so much better than the store bought variety. Tender, soft and buttery my naan bread is as good your favorite Indian restaurant.
5 from 33 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Rise Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 193 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt plain
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • olive oil for the skillet
  • 3 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar, warm water, and yeast to a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
    Let the mixture set for 10 minutes to active the yeast. It will be foamy when activated.
  • Place the flour on a clean flat surface and make a well in the middle.
  • Add the yeast mixture, yogurt, salt, and oil to the center of the flour.
  • 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 one hour.
    The dough should double in size.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions.
  • Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to make an 8” circle.
  • Place a cast iron skillet ( or regular skillet) over high heat and lightly grease the surface with an oiled paper towel, to keep the dough from sticking.
  • When the skillet is hot, place the dough on the skillet. The dough will puff up as it cooks, and air bubbles will form along with blackened spots on the surface of the naan bread.
  • At this point flip over the naan bread and cook the other side.
  • Brush the naan with the melted butter and serve warm.

Notes

For Garlic Naan: 
Add two teaspoons of minced garlic to the wet ingredients before mixing it into the dough.
After baking, add one tablespoon of finely minced garlic to the butter and let it cook for one minute over medium heat. Brush the naan with the garlic butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 186mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 132IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 33 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Fatima DeChaves says

    September 20, 2024 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    I will be making the Naan bread soon.It sounds absolutely delicious!!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      September 21, 2024 at 7:16 am

      I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

      Reply
  2. Debbie Russell says

    December 31, 2023 at 4:53 pm

    I would like to try this recipe. But due to time constraints I would like to try it with fast rising yeast. Any suggestions on how that would modify the procedure? Thanks Chef Dennis!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      December 31, 2023 at 6:42 pm

      I have never used fast rising, so I’m not sure how it would work with this recipe.

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    March 29, 2023 at 9:47 am

    Question: I know ghee is often used in Indian dishes instead of butter. Is there a reason you went with butter instead? Would ghee be as good or better? Also, could the recipe be enhanced by topping the naan with some some chopped fresh corriander (cilantro)?

    Reply
  4. Irv says

    March 25, 2023 at 8:44 am

    We really enjoy your recipes and website. I have made many of your dishes and am going to try the Naan.
    Quick question, if we wanted garlic naan would we simply add minced fresh garlic to the dough?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      March 25, 2023 at 10:04 am

      Good Question, Irv. I’ve added it to the post.

      If you want to make Garlic Naan, add two teaspoons of minced garlic to the wet ingredients before mixing it into the dough.
      After baking, add one tablespoon of finely minced garlic to the butter and let it cook for one minute over medium heat. Brush the naan with the garlic butter.

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    March 24, 2023 at 12:37 am

    5 stars
    We really enjoyed this recipe! It was so easy to follow!

    Reply

My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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