Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (2024)

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Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe – this soft and chewy bread can be made at home with simple ingredients. It is so easy you will want to make it all the time!

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (1)

Easy Naan Bread

One of my favorite things to bake is homemade bread. I make everything from dinner rolls to pizza crust. I wish I would have tried making naan bread years ago. It is so easy to make, cooks up quickly, and is absolutely delicious!

Yogurt in the dough not only makes the naan soft and tender, it adds great flavor. Everyone in my family goes crazy for this bread! It is a perfect accompaniment to any Indian or curry dish, but is also great served with soup.

Truth be told, we like it enough that sometimes I serve it all on its own. My kids love it for an after school snack, and my youngest even likes the leftovers for breakfast.

What is the difference between pita bread and naan bread?

Naan usually has yogurt in it making it a softer texture that is great for wrapping around sandwich fillings. Pita bread puffs up when cooked, leaving a more hollow interior that is great for filling. Both are flatbreads, but have different flavors and textures.

HOW TO MAKE NAAN BREAD

Ingredients needed:

  • warm water
  • instant yeast (I use SAF brand)
  • sugar
  • olive oil (vegetable or canola oil will work in a pinch)
  • plain yogurt (sour cream or greek yogurt can be used as a substitute)
  • egg
  • salt
  • all purpose flour
  • butter
  • garlic (optional)

You start by making a basic yeast dough. Combine warm water, yeast and sugar in a large bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.

Then add oil, yogurt, egg, salt, and enough flour to form a soft dough. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it and let it raise till doubled in size.

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (2)

HOW TO COOK NAAN BREAD

  1. Cut the dough into eight pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a circle about 6″ across.
  2. Heat a skillet to medium hot. Add a little bit of vegetable oil or olive oil.
  3. Place a circle of dough in the middle of the skillet and cook till bubbly and golden brown on the bottom. It takes 2-3 minutes.
  4. Flip it over and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes or till golden brown.

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (3)

Brush hot naan bread with melted butter. I added minced garlic to my butter and it was incredible! We even topped ours off with chopped fresh parsley, and it was the perfect addition to this easy naan bread.

Note: If you will be immediately be using the naan as flatbread for sandwiches, you can omit the melted butter so it isn’t quite so messy when you fold it in half and eat it.

Can I add garlic to the dough?

Of course! If you love garlic, feel free to add some fresh minced garlic to your naan dough. Stir it in with the oil and yogurt. You could even use garlic powder if you prefer.

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (4)

How many calories in naan bread?

If you prepare as directed, each piece is about 230 calories. If you omit the melted butter on top, they are about 207 calories each. If you need to add more than 2 1/2 cups of flour, you will of course increase the calorie count.

How long does Naan Bread last?

At room temp, naan bread should last 3-4 days on the counter if stored in an airtight container (like a ziplock bag). If you store it in the refrigerator it will last for about a week.

Can you freeze naan bread?

Yes, you can freeze naan. It’s best to freeze it before brushing it with melted butter. Let it cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and place in large freezer Ziplock bags. It will last up to 3 months.

How to reheat leftover naan:

Microwave: reheat in the microwave oven for about 15- 20 seconds, more if it is frozen.

Oven: Spread the naan bread in a 9×13″ pan and sprinkle lightly with water. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake at 250° for about 8-10 minutes or till heated through.

Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet to medium low. Cook each naan for about 2 minutes on each side, moving often to make sure it doesn’t burn.

When it is warm, brush it with the melted butter.

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (5)

What to serve with naan bread?

Naan is typically best with Asian and Indian foods, but you can really serve it with just about anything. We love it with soup! You can also dip it in hummus, use it to make wraps, or even as a crust for personal pizzas.

SOUPS TO SERVE WITH THIS NAAN BREAD RECIPE:

  • Tuscan Ravioli Soup
  • Mexican Chicken Corn Soup
  • Mexican Chicken Chili

FOR MORE EASY BREAD RECIPES, CHECK OUT:

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (6)

HOMEMADE NAAN BREAD RECIPE

Yield: 8 servings

Easy Naan Bread

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (7)

Soft and flavorful flatbread made with yogurt and topped with melted butter and garlic.

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time6 minutes

Additional Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 26 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (more or less)
  • 2 Tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl; let sit for five minutes or till bubbly. Add olive oil, yogurt, egg, salt and 2 cups of flour. Stir till smooth.
  2. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead a few times on a floured counter until smooth.
  3. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-60 minutes.
  4. Cut dough into eight pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 6" circle.
  5. Preheat a skillet to medium heat.
  6. Add a little oil or non-stick spray to the skillet. Cook each circle for 2-3 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on the bottom. Flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Brush the top of each naan with melted butter. I added garlic to my butter, but that is optional.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 232Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 184mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below and pin the recipe to Pinterest!

I hope you’ll give this naan recipe a try. Not only is it super easy, I think it rivals any naan you will find at an Indian restaurant. And it’s definitely better than store bought!

Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe - Creations by Kara (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put yogurt in naan bread? ›

Naan has 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.

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.

What is the difference between flatbread and naan? ›

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.

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.

Can I use milk instead of yogurt in naan bread? ›

You can add sour cream for similar consistency, though it change to taste, but I think the change would taste good. You could use milk instead, though use less that you would of yogurt, with the milk add some dry milk.

Is naan healthier than 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.

Should I refrigerate homemade naan? ›

These homemade naan will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be reheated in a microwave or on a skillet. If using a skillet, place a lid or plate on top which will keep the moisture locked in to your naan.

What do we call naan in English? ›

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

What is the best type of naan bread? ›

Some of the most popular flavoured variations are plain naan, Peshwari naan, garlic and coriander naan and cheese naan. A good plain naan dough needs strong bread flour, yeast, black onion seeds, milk, and yoghurt – to give the naan that tanginess.

What is traditionally served with naan bread? ›

Traditionally with Indian food, naan (or other various Indian breads) is served as an accompaniment to curry, chutney, saag paneers, etc. to scoop the contents of your meal up.

What is focaccina? ›

Focaccina is an appetizer-sized portion of regular focaccia. This bread needs no introduction since it is such a ubiquitous baked good. It is believed that focaccia originated in ancient Greece, and countless people still enjoy eating focaccia to this day.

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 ingredient makes bread more fluffy? ›

Add Sugar

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

How can I make my bread fluffier instead of dense? ›

Potato Flakes or Potato Water

Starch helps the dough by trapping the gas from the yeast in the dough and makes the bubbles stronger. This helps the bread to rise and be lighter and fluffier. If you are boiling potatoes, you can use the unsalted water in place of the water in your bread recipe to help out the yeast.

What does adding yogurt to bread do? ›

What does yogurt do for bread? The slight acidity of yogurt helps to break down and relax the gluten in bread flour. In turn, this results in a softer & fluffier white bread. You can see similar results in soft white breads made with other slightly acidic ingredients such as buttermilk.

Why is yogurt served with Indian food? ›

Commonly, Indian people use yogurt in cooking. This type is called 'Dahi,' which uses Indian cuisine. It adds a creamy and light texture to the dishes without weighing them down. Further, it is a sourcing agent and helps tenderize the meat.

Why do people use yogurt in baking? ›

It's used similarly to sour cream in cakes and other baked goods, but can also be used in glazes or folded into whipped cream. Many bakers love the way it helps keep baked goods moist while adding a tang, not unlike baking with buttermilk. Its acidity also helps activate the baking soda in batters for a nice rise.

Why does naan have dairy? ›

Naan bread is made with an enriched dough, meaning that it often contains dairy; usually in the form of yogurt and ghee or butter. This is what helps to make it so soft and full of flavour.

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