Garlic Naan: the easy Indian bread recipe

Naan is a very popular flatbread in Indian cooking. This homemade Garlic Naan is simply an enriched version of the Indian classic. It’s enriched with butter and garlic, which gives it more flavor than the classic naan bread.

To make it, you add your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients, mix, rest the dough, and bake. As easy as that! Stuff them with your favorite meaty filling, use them to mop up a spicy or curry, or enjoy them as is. No matter which way you eat them, they will be delicious. They’re soft, delicious, and packed with garlicky flavor!

What is Naan Bread?

Naan bread is a slightly leavened type of flatbread. While it resembles pita bread, it has a bit more flavor because of the yeast and yogurt in the recipe. The yogurt also makes the naan a bit chewier than pita bread.

Tips for making Homemade Garlic Naan

Don’t skip the yeast, it’s what gives this naan its flavor. But if you don’t have yeast, you can use baking powder.

Make sure your lightly greased skillet is hot. When bubbles start to form on one side, the naan is ready to flip.

To make it cheesy, you can add grated cheddar cheese to the dough, or add grated cheese to the cooked naan, and place it under the grill for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

As a variation, add chopped chilies to the dough before cooking the Naan.

How to store Garlic Naan

If you want to store the Garlic Naan, then do so before brushing them with garlic butter. Allow the naan breads to cool, then transfer to resealable Ziploc bags or an airtight container, and store at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze Homemade Garlic Naan?

If you want to freeze the Garlic Naan, then do so before brushing them with garlic butter. Allow the naan breads to cool, then transfer to resealable Ziploc bags or an airtight container, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you want to serve the Garlic Naan Breads, allow to thaw and reheat in the microwave. Brush with garlic butter and serve.

How to make Garlic Naan

Whisk sugar and yeast in warm water. Set aside until foam forms on the surface.

Whisk yogurt, oil and salt into the yeast solution.

Pour yeast mixture into the flour and mix until the dough comes together.

Knead and form into a ball.

Cover the dough with some plastic and set aside for 20 minutes. After that knead once more and let the dough rest for 1 hour. Cut the dough into 5 pieces and for each one into a ball. Stretch the dough with your hands to form a flatbread.

Bake naan in the cast iron pan, over a high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through and slightly charred.

Mix melted butter with parsley and garlic. Brush the mixture on top of the flatbread and serve.

Notes

The dough should be smooth and not sticky. If you find that it is still too sticky, you’ll have to continue to knead it.