This Naan bread recipe is so easy to make, and super yummy! We use yogurt to make this Indian style flatbread soft and fluffy, and it’s done in just a few hours.
Would you like to save this recipe?
This recipe first appeared on Yellow Bliss Road where I am a contributor.
Indian food is super popular in my house, and naan is one of my favorite bread recipes to make. There’s only 1 rise, and it comes together in a pretty short amount of time. Although I don’t have a tandoor oven (and don’t know anyone who does!), I use a griddle, skillet or outdoor grill to make my naan!
With a little planning ahead, you can make the dough, have it rise for an hour, and be cooking it so it’s hot, fresh and fluffy and ready to be served with dinner. This is a great recipe for beginners, as the recipe is very forgiving! You’ll love naan bread too, when you make it!
Making Naan is a simple process. We bloom the yeast, add the wet ingredients, and then gradually add the dry ingredients. A quick mix into to a rough/shaggy dough right in your stand mixer, switch to the dough hook, and 5 minute knead is all that’s needed. Let it rise, then cut, shape, butter and cook. SO easy, right?
The key ingredient for Naan is actually plain yogurt. The yogurt hydrates the dough and makes it super soft and tender. As an added bonus – it adds a wonderful flavor as well as protein. Greek yogurt can also be used, just make sure it’s plain and not flavored.
What to serve with Naan bread
Any kind of Indian food is awesome, you’ll love this Chicken Tikka Masala, or Lentil Dhal, or even this Chickpea Curry!
WHAT IS NAAN?
It is an Indian style flatbread served alongside any kind of meal. I particularly like dipping it into butter chicken and devouring it.
DID YOU KNOW? Naan actually means “bread” so when we say “Naan Bread” we’re really just saying “bread-bread”. Let’s just call it Naan!
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
- If you don’t have honey available, white sugar will work just as well (and so will maple syrup or agave syrup).
- Water and milk should be warm – around 110 degrees F
- Bread flour is not necessary in this recipe, but if that’s what you have – use it!
Making Naan in a bread machine: Add the ingredients to the pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Set the machine on the “dough” setting, and allow to complete. Remove the dough from the machine, and cut, shape and cook as seen below.
Can Naan bread be frozen? Yes, it does very well when reheated and brushed with a little butter. To freeze, separate each naan with parchment, and place in a freezer-safe bag and seal.
How to store Naan bread: If you won’t be eating it right away, allow to cool completely, and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
What to do with leftover Naan: It makes awesome pizza bases! Just top with pizza sauce, mozzarella and your favorite toppings and bake until golden and bubbly.
Serving Suggestion
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro after cooking/buttering.
- If you’d like to try GARLIC Naan, simply add a little garlic to the butter you brush on after cooking and sprinkle with cilantro.
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make Naan Bread from scratch
Making the dough
Add the warm water, honey, and yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment on it. Allow to sit until foamy (about 5 minutes). Add the yogurt and warm milk and mix until combined then gradually add in the all-purpose flour and salt.
The dough will be shaggy and rough-looking (see the pics). Switch the paddle for the dough hook, and knead for about 5 minutes. The dough will be smooth and stretchy.
If you’d prefer to make by hand, just turn the mixed dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
Place the dough in a large bowl (greased with butter, olive oil or cooking spray). Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for about an hour. The dough will double in size!
Rising, Cutting, Shaping
After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured countertop. Take a knife or dough cutter and divide the dough into 8 roughly equal pieces. Roll each piece into a round, oval or rectangle shape – about 1/8 inch thick. Naan isn’t known for being perfect, so don’t worry if yours don’t look exactly the same as each other!
Cooking the Naan
Heat a large skillet or griddle, and brush butter on one side of a piece of dough. Cook, buttered side down for a minute or two, brushing the uncooked side with butter before flipping. Bubbles may puff up your naan – it’s all good!!
Flip the naan, and cook the other side a further minute until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and keep warm while you cook the remaining naan.
More homemade bread recipes to try
Get free recipes in your inbox!
Find me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.
If you make this recipe, please comment and let me know how it turned out and leave a star rating!
Naan Bread
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup water (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast ( 1 envelope)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt (kosher )
- 3/4 cup milk (110 degrees F)
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt (unflavored)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
OPTIONAL
- fresh cilantro (for the top)
Directions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the 2 tablespoons honey and 1/4 cup water until combined. Sprinkle 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast on top and mix a little. Let sit for about five to 10 minutes. The mixture will start to look foamy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt – set aside.
- Using the paddle attachment, mix the 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup plain yogurt to the yeast mixture and then gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough forms a ball.
- Attach the dough hook and knead for 5 minutes – it should pull away from the sides of the bowl and be smooth and stretchy.
- Remove dough from the stand mixer bowl, and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let sit in a warm place until it doubles in size, 1-1.5 hrs.
- Lightly flour your countertop and dump the dough out onto it. Divide the dough into eight equal balls. Using a rolling pin, roll one ball at a time until it’s about 1/8-inch thick into a circle or oval shape.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Lightly brush one side of the rolled naan dough with melted butter and place in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes. It may bubble up!
- Brush the uncooked side with 4 tablespoons melted butter and flip. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm. Repeat until all the naan is cooked.
- Brush finished pieces with butter, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro(if desired).
Would you like to save this recipe?
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Leave a Reply