recipe

Naan bread: how to make it at home in a few steps

Total time: 15 min + 2 hr rise
Difficulty: Low
Serves: 4 people
By Cookist
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Naan bread is a delicious and versatile Indian flatbread that can elevate any meal. Made with yeast and yogurt, this fluffy and flavorful bread is a staple in Indian cuisine but is enjoyed in homes around the world. Whether it's used to scoop up curries or served as the base for a gourmet pizza, naan bread never fails to impress. And let's not forget about the irresistible garlic butter drizzled on top, adding a burst of savory goodness. Pan-baking the naan gives it a crispy crust, and you don’t need an oven. If you're a bread lover or simply looking to add a touch of exotic flair to your meals, this recipe is for you!

What is Naan Bread?

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

Tips

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

Make sure your lightly greased skillet is hot. When bubbles start to form on one side, the naan is ready to flip.  A heavy-bottomed pan (like cast iron) will work best for this recipe as it retains heat well. This is necessary for the bread to be cooked thoroughly. Make sure your skillet is hot. When bubbles start to form on one side, the bread 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.

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.

Make smaller naan breads by dividing the dough into smaller pieces.

For crispier bread, the dough should be rolled out thinly.

Add more flavor to the dough, by adding 2 teaspoons Italian herbs and ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the flour moisture.

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

How to Store Naan Bread

If you want to store the Naan Bread, do so before brushing them with garlic butter. Allow the naan bread 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. Reheat in the oven before brushing with garlic butter.

Can I freeze Homemade Garlic Naan?

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

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

Ingredients
All purpose flour
600g (1.3 lbs)
Yeast
7g (2 ÂĽ tsp)
Sugar
10g (2 ½ tsp)
Olive oil
40ml (1/6 cup)
Water
60ml (1/4 cup)
Greek Yogurt
190g (6.7 oz)
Butter
150g (5.3 oz) butter
Garlic
6 cloves

Instructions

  1. Melt yeast and sugar in lukewarm water. Add in flour, milk, oil, and yogurt. Knead the dough and let it rise for about 2 hours.

2. Divide the dough and make balls, then flatten them to create an oval shape. Place in a hot pan and cook until bubbles start to appear.

3. Flip the naan bread and continue to cook until cooked through and golden brown on both sides.

4. Season your bread with melted garlic butter.

Enjoy!

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