Easy Naan Bread

I absolutely love naan bread, but until recently, I only enjoyed this soft flatbread at restaurants or bought a package from the grocery store. I finally decided it was time to make it at home, and I was surprised by how simple it is. This Easy Naan Bread recipe gives you soft, warm, homemade naan with very little fuss.

The dough is similar to a basic bread dough and uses familiar ingredients like water, yeast, sugar, olive oil, egg, salt, and flour. The one ingredient that makes it a little different is plain Greek yogurt. The yogurt helps give the naan its soft, tender texture and adds a slight tang that makes it especially delicious.

After mixing the dough, let it rise until it has doubled in size. Once it is ready, divide the dough into portions and shape each piece into a flat round or oval. Instead of baking the naan in the oven, you simply cook each piece in a hot skillet until both sides are lightly browned and cooked through.

As soon as the naan comes out of the skillet, brush both sides with melted butter. This adds extra flavor and helps keep the bread soft and tender.

You can definitely enjoy the naan as-is, but I especially love making a garlic version. For garlic naan, simply mix some minced garlic into the melted butter before brushing it over the warm bread. It adds so much flavor and makes the naan even more irresistible.

Serve this homemade naan alongside your favorite Indian-inspired dishes, dip it into sauces, or enjoy it warm straight from the skillet. Once you see how easy it is to make at home, you may find yourself skipping the store-bought version altogether.

Ingredients for Easy Naan Bread

• WATER – Warm water activates the yeast and provides the moisture needed to form the dough. It should be warm, not hot, so it does not damage the yeast.
• INSTANT YEAST – Instant yeast helps the naan dough rise and gives the bread a soft, airy texture. You can mix it directly into the dough without proofing it first.
• SUGAR – Sugar adds a touch of sweetness and also gives the yeast something to feed on, which helps the dough rise.
• OLIVE OIL – Olive oil adds moisture and richness to the dough. It also helps keep the naan soft and tender.
• PLAIN GREEK YOGURT – Greek yogurt is one of the ingredients that gives naan its signature soft and slightly chewy texture. It also adds a subtle tang and helps keep the bread moist.
• EGG – The egg adds richness, structure, and tenderness to the dough. It also helps create a softer finished naan.
• SALT – Salt enhances the bread’s flavor and balances the dough’s slight sweetness.
• FLOUR – All-purpose flour provides the structure for the naan. Add only as much as needed to create a soft, slightly tacky dough so the bread does not become tough.
• BUTTER – Brush melted butter over the warm naan after cooking to add richness and help keep the bread soft.
• GARLIC – Mix garlic into the melted butter for a flavorful garlic naan variation. Fresh minced garlic gives the strongest flavor, but you can also use garlic powder for a milder option.

Instructions for simple Naan Bread recipe

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Stir gently, then let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes bubbly and foamy.

Add the olive oil, plain Greek yogurt, egg, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Gradually add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times, just until it becomes smooth.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, preheat a large skillet over medium heat.

Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a circle about 6 inches in diameter.

Place one piece of dough in the hot skillet or frying pan and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface and the bottom is golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the second side is browned and the naan is cooked through.

Remove the naan from the skillet and immediately brush the bubbly side with melted butter. For garlic naan, stir minced garlic into the melted butter before brushing it over the warm bread. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough and serve warm. Makes 8 pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes. Active dry yeast will work well. Let it sit in the warm water with the sugar for about 5–10 minutes, or until foamy, before adding the remaining ingredients.

How warm should the water be?
The water should be warm, not hot. Aim for about 105–110°F to activate the yeast without damaging it.

Why didn’t my naan dough rise?
The yeast may have been old, the water may have been too hot or too cold, or the dough may have been left in a cool location. Make sure the yeast is active and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place.

How do I keep the naan soft?
Avoid adding too much flour, and don’t overcook it. Brushing the warm naan with melted butter and stacking the pieces under a clean towel will also help keep them soft.

Do I need a cast-iron skillet?
No. A cast-iron skillet works especially well because it holds heat evenly, but you can use any heavy skillet or nonstick pan.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes. Stir a little garlic powder into the melted butter for a quick, garlic-naan version. It will give you a milder, more evenly distributed garlic flavor.

Why isn’t my naan getting bubbles?
Make sure the skillet is fully heated before adding the dough. Also roll the dough fairly thin so the heat can create those characteristic bubbles.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. After mixing the dough, cover it tightly and place it in the fridge overnight. Let it come closer to room temperature before dividing, rolling, and cooking.

How do I reheat naan?
Warm it briefly in a skillet, microwave, toaster oven, or regular oven. Brushing it with a little butter before reheating can help restore its soft texture.

What can I serve with naan bread?
Naan is delicious with curry, tikka masala, butter chicken, soups, dips, or hummus. It can also be used for flatbread pizzas, wraps, or sandwiches.

Tips and Tricks

Keep the dough soft. Add only enough flour to make the dough manageable. Too much flour can make the naan dense and tough instead of soft and tender.

Let the dough rise in a warm spot. Give the dough enough time to double in size. A warm, draft-free area helps the yeast work properly and gives the naan a lighter texture.

Preheat the skillet well. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the dough. A properly heated pan helps create those signature bubbles and golden-brown spots.

Roll the pieces evenly. Try to roll each piece to about the same thickness so they cook evenly. If the dough keeps shrinking back, let it rest for a few minutes before rolling again.

Brush and cover the naan while warm. Brush each piece with melted butter or garlic butter as soon as it comes out of the skillet. Stack the finished naan and cover with a clean towel to help keep it warm, soft, and flexible.

FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:

• All Bran Refrigerator Rolls
• Make-Ahead Spoon Rolls
• Baker’s Dozen Yeast Rolls
• Banana Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Frosting

Recipe is adapted from Lil Luna.