Naan

20 min
Naan

Make classic Indian naan and discover the secret behind the fluffy and soft texture of the bread. The tasty, flat wheat bread is a beloved and popular staple food in the Indian kitchen. Enjoy the warm homemade bread with butter or oil or follow our garlic naan recipe and brush the bread with a garlic butter sauce and chopped parsley. A nice, freshly baked bread that works great as a snack or a delicious side dish for several Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala or palak paneer.

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Ingredients

Naan

Wheat flour
250 g
Baking powder
1 tsp
Sugar
1 tsp
Coarse salt
½ tsp
Water
100 ml
Greek inspired yoghurt
100 ml
Olive oil
1 tbsp

Garlic naan

Coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Finely chopped garlic cloves
2
Melted butter
20 g

Instructions

Naan

  • Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl (save some wheat flour).
  • Add water, yogurt, and oil and gather the dough. Add the rest of the flour if necessary.
  • Cover the dough and let it sit on the kitchen counter for approx. 10 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into 4 portions and shape them into round dough sheets with your hands.
  • Bake the bread in a dry pan at medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side – keep them warm.
  • Serve the bread freshly baked.

Garlic naan

  • Mix parsley, garlic, and butter. Brush the baked bread with the garlic mixture and serve.
Enjoy!

Tips

Use a scale to weigh and divide the dough so you end up with even-sized bread. When baking the naan on a pan, wait until the bread starts to bubble before flipping it and baking it on the other side. You can also bake bread in the oven instead of using a pan. Preheat the oven to 250°C regular oven and leave a baking tray in the oven to warm up. Shape the bread as described in the recipe and place them on baking paper. Pull the baking paper onto the hot baking tray and bake for approx. 6-7 min. You can bake them ahead of time and simply warm them before serving, for example, in a toaster.

Questions about naan

Make tender and fluffy bread with our recipe for naan. With just a few simple steps, you get soft, perfectly browned bread that you can tweak with a fresh buttery garlic sauce. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions and provided you with all the necessary information and tips to succeed with this beloved classic. Keep on reading to learn more!

What is naan?

Naan is a type of flatbread that is very popular in India and originates from Southeast and Central Asia. Though the bread can be unleavened, the Indian version typically contains a leavening agent as well as wheat flour and milk or yoghurt to add softness to the bread. The traditional version of the bread is cooked in a tandoor oven by sticking the dough to the walls of the oven, but you can make do with a hot pan instead.

How to make naan?

This tenderly soft comfort food will surely highlight any meal and is easier to make than you might think. Start by mixing all the dry ingredients in a bowl before adding water, yoghurt, and oil. Once you have gathered the dough, let it sit covered for about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 4 equal-sized portions and bring each portion into shape. Bake the bread on each side in a dry pan and serve freshly baked and still warm.

Is naan bread?

Flatbread from India is a popular and beloved bread around the world. While some may be inclined to call it naan bread, this term is somewhat redundant as the word actually means bread and is derived from the Persian word nān. It is worth noting that there are different variations of this bread which differ depending on the ingredients and the region it is from.

How to make garlic naan?

Add some extra flavour to your bread with a buttery garlic topping. It is an easy and simple way to improve the bread with only 3 ingredients. Make the regular naan and mix parsley, garlic, and melted butter. Brush the freshly baked bread with garlic butter. This gives it a fresh and flavourful garlic aroma and a sweet buttery flavour.

Can you freeze naan?

You can easily freeze naan with a few simple steps. It is essential that you allow the bread to cool after baking it. Flash-freeze the bread in the freezer on a baking tray. Make sure that none of the bread is touching when placing them on the tray. Remove the tray from the freezer after a couple of hours, put the bread into individual freezer bags, or wrap them in cling film and foil before placing them in the freezer again. This will prevent freezer burn, and they will keep well for up to 3 months.

How long does naan last?

Depending on how you store it, homemade naan can last from a few days up to a couple of months and still maintain its soft texture and fresh taste. You do not have to refrigerate it; it can sit at room temperature for about 3 to 4 days when placed in an airtight container or bag. If you store it in the freezer, the bread will have a shelf life of 2-3 months.

How to heat up naan?

You can use different methods to heat naan. The microwave is the best option if you want to reheat the bread quickly. Place the bread on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle with water and cover with towel paper before microwaving at medium to high heat in 30-second intervals until the bread is done. Adding water is essential in the reheating process as this ensures that the bread does not lose any moisture. If you use an oven, sprinkle a little water over the bread and place it in a preheated oven for about 3-5 minutes. Do not leave it in longer than necessary, or your bread will come out dry and crisp. Alternatively, you can use a pan set to medium heat and add a little butter or oil to grease the pan. Place the bread in the pan and heat it on each side for 30-60 seconds until it is fully warmed. Be sure to keep an eye on the bread, so it does not burn.

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See more

Naan – flatbread from India

This thick, fluffy, and tenderly soft Indian flatbread has found lots of popularity around the world. Because of its simple ingredients and easy preparation, this bread remains a staple in many restaurants and homes and is served in various ways on its own as an appetiser or along with the main course. You can rip it and dip it; it is so versatile that you can never quite get enough of it. We have made a great recipe for naan that allows you to recreate these round – sometimes even teardrop-shaped – bread in a quick and easy manner. Enjoy it fresh and hot straight from the pan!

Make a regular or garlic naan

Make the regular version with basic ingredients and a hint of zesty tang or elevate it with a buttery garlic sauce. Garlic naan is a classic Indian variety and one of the most popular versions of Indian flatbread. The bread is brushed with melted butter, garlic, and flat parsley, giving it a sharp garlicky sensation. Garlic naan is a great alternative for anyone who loves tender and soft bread but cannot quite resist the spicy and pungent flavours.

What to eat with naan

It is common to tear naan into pieces and use it as a makeshift spoon to scoop up food and eat with your hand. Some of its most popular side dishes include butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, sweet and spicy mango chutney, and palak paneer, which is a creamy spinach and cheese dish with classic Indian spices. As you can see, there are many options to pick from, making this Indian bread so versatile and much-loved.

Greek yoghurt to get a soft and fluffy bread

What does Greek yoghurt have to do with Indian bread? Greek yoghurt holds the dough together and ensures a fluffy and soft texture. The yoghurt hydrates the dough and keeps it nice and tender while providing a slightly tangy flavour and sturdy creamy thickness, perfect for making this delicious and savoury Indian naan.

Did we manage to pique your interest with this Indian bread full of flavours and delicious textures? Then you should also check out some of our other Indian-inspired recipes. Enjoy your naan with a homemade chicken tikka masala with fresh ginger and turmeric, a flavoursome vegetarian curry with fresh vegetables and spices, or a sweet and sour mango chutney, perfect as a light snack.

Experiment with the recipe

Our basic and easy naan recipe is great for making other flavour versions of this bread. If you stick with the buttery sauce from the garlic version, try using fresh mint leaves instead of garlic and mix the mint with the melted butter. Brush the buttery mixture on the bread and sprinkle with chopped mint leaves for a final touch. The mint gives the dish a cool and fresh aroma with a subtle hint of sweetness.

Twist the traditional version with a spiced potato filling. The aloo naan is made with a stuffing made from mashed potatoes, chopped onion, green chilis, turmeric and garam masala powder, coriander leaves, and salt. Once you have shaped the bread with your hands, spread a spoonful of the spicy filling on top and pull the dough over to cover the filling. Gently roll or pull the dough to make a bigger oval shape and bake the bread in a pan or an oven. It is a great appetiser or party snack for anyone who loves to spice it up.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/naan/