Naan

Name: Naan
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 4 cups; Natural plain yogurt 1 cup; Water ½ cup; Fine salt 1 ½ tsp; Fresh brewer's yeast 0.4 tsp

it de es fr br

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Makes: 8 pieces
Cost: Very low
Note + the rising time (about 5 h total)

PRESENTATION

Naan is a must-have at any table in India, and this naan recipe is just what you need when you want something softer and more tender than chapati. Really good stuff. The dough’s extra softness comes from yogurt or milk, and it's a favorite for scooping up dishes like moist chicken tikka masala or spicy chickpea masala with the first three fingers of your right hand. So, here's the thing, the golden color and crispy spots that define homemade naan come from a tandoori oven—super traditional. While most of us don't have a tandoor at home, a non-stick pan works great if you let the dough rest and rise. It is not just plain bread; it makes meals feel special, and pairs perfectly with saucy curries and even sweet chutneys. Pretty simple.

In India, easy naan bread comes in many styles, like garlic, cheese, or potato-stuffed naan. Garlic naan, in particular, is a huge favorite. And you know what? Tearing off pieces to enjoy with your meal is all part of the fun. Really, it is. When you're at an Indian meal, rice and naan sit side by side, making sure there's enough for everyone. I mean, patience is key with naan bread without yeast, and the best naan takes practice and respect for the process. Trying out these traditions at home—maybe with samosas or a big bowl of red lentil dahl—captures that Indian meal vibe. Mastering Indian flatbread like this is so rewarding, and each try gets you closer to that classic soft and fluffy texture. So so tender. Naan makes the whole table come together, and there's pride in getting it just right. Whether you’re enjoying it with curry or just a dollop of butter, naan is more than bread—it’s a piece of Indian culture that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. For sure.

How to prepare Naan

To prepare the naan dough, pour the flour into a bowl, add the yogurt 1, the crumbled yeast 2, and almost all the water 3.

Stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate the yeast into the mixture, then add the salt 4 and the remaining water 5. Mix the dough with your hands inside the bowl, then transfer it to the work surface and continue kneading until it becomes smooth and no longer sticks to your hands 6.

Put the dough back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise for 4 hours at room temperature 7. After the rising time 8, move the dough to the lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal parts 9.

Take a portion of the dough and fold the edges towards the center 10 11, then roll the dough between your hands to form a ball 12. Repeat the process for all the other pieces. Place the balls on a lightly floured tray, cover with another tray or a cloth, and let them rise for another hour, away from drafts.

After this time 13, lightly flour the work surface and roll out the dough balls to a thickness of about 0.4 inches 14. You can give the naan a round or oval shape; it doesn't have to be regular. Place a non-stick pan on the stove and heat it very well. When it's hot, lay the naan on it and cook for about 1 minute on one side 15.

When bubbles start to form and the bottom is colored, flip the naan to the other side 16 and cook for another minute 17. Serve your naan while still hot 18!

Storage

Naan can be stored for one day at room temperature.

It can be frozen after cooking.

Tip

After cooking, naan is usually spread with butter or ghee. Alternatively, you can serve it with a brine of oil, salt, minced garlic, and coriander (or parsley) or accompany it with a small bowl of Raita, Hummus, or Babaganoush for a tasty ethnic appetizer!

If you wish to shorten the rising times, double the yeast.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.