Homemade Naan Bread Recipe

Published: June 10, 2025

by Hailey parker

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

All-Purpose Flour: Choose high-quality flour for the best texture and elasticity in your naan.
Warm Water: Use water that’s too hot or cold; lukewarm water activates the yeast perfectly.
Active Dry Yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh for that delightful rise in your bread.
Sugar: A pinch helps feed the yeast and enhances browning during cooking.
Salt: Essential for flavor; don’t skip this step unless you want bland naan!
Plain Yogurt: Adds moisture and tanginess to your naan; Greek yogurt works well too.
Olive Oil or Ghee: For a touch of richness; ghee adds a lovely buttery flavor.
Garlic (optional): Minced garlic can be added for a delicious garlic naan variation.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make It Together

Start by activating your yeast: In a bowl, combine warm water with sugar and active dry yeast. Let it sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes, indicating that your yeast is alive and ready for action.

Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and salt until evenly mixed. This helps ensure that you distribute the salt evenly throughout the dough.

Mix wet ingredients: Add yogurt and olive oil or ghee to your flour mixture. Then pour in your activated yeast mixture. Stir until everything starts coming together into a shaggy dough.

Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, a workout for those arms! You can add more flour if it’s too sticky.

Let it rise: Place your kneaded dough into an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours until doubled in size. Patience pays off here!

Shape your naan: After rising, punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles. Divide it into equal portions (about 6-8 pieces) and shape each piece into balls. Roll them out on a floured surface into teardrop or oval shapes.

Cook the naan: Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until super hot. Cook each piece of naan for about 1-2 minutes on each side until puffy with lovely golden spots appearing.

Optional finishing touches: If desired, brush cooked naan with melted ghee or garlic butter while still warm to enhance flavors even further!

And there you have it, delicious Homemade Naan Bread ready to be enjoyed! Whether scooped up with curry or slathered with butter, this bread will undoubtedly steal the show at any meal! Delicious Black Bean Burgers.

[info_box title=”You Must Know”] Homemade naan bread is fluffy and warm, perfect for scooping up your favorite curries or sauces. Ensure you knead the dough well for that delightful texture. And don’t forget to brush some garlic butter on top for a mouthwatering finish! [/info_box]

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by making the dough and letting it rise for at least an hour. Once risen, preheat your skillet or tandoor to high heat. Roll out each naan and cook them one at a time for 1-2 minutes per side until puffed and golden.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to customize your naan by adding herbs like cilantro or garlic into the dough. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top before cooking to give an extra crunch and flavor.

Storing & Reheating

Store leftover naan in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To reheat, warm it in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side, bringing back its original softness.

[info_box title=”Chef’s Helpful Tips”] For perfectly puffy naan, ensure your yeast is fresh; old yeast can lead to flat bread. Rolling the dough evenly guarantees uniform cooking, so take your time. Lastly, don’t skip brushing with butter after cooking, it makes all the difference in flavor! [/info_box]

I remember the first time I made homemade naan bread; my kitchen smelled heavenly! Friends couldn’t get enough of it, they even tried to hide some leftovers for later! For more inspiration, check out this Mediterranean Mezze Platter recipe.

FAQ

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Whole wheat flour gives a nuttier flavor but may change the texture slightly.

How do I know when my naan is fully cooked?

Naan is done when it puffs up and has golden brown spots on both sides. For more inspiration, check out this Honey Chipotle Grilled Shrimp Tacos recipe.

Can I freeze homemade naan bread?

Yes, you can freeze naan by wrapping them in foil or plastic wrap for up to three months.

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📖 Recipe Card