Homemade Naan Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is naan better with yeast or baking powder? ›

It wasn't a bad taste, but it was noticeable. I also found the baking soda doughs burned more easily. The baking powder-yeast dough compared to the yeast-only dough were nearly identical — similar air bubbles in the pan, similar dough texture, similar flavor — so, in the end, I stuck with yeast alone as a leaven.

Naan doesn't get bubbles – Pan not hot enough, dough not moist enough or improper leavening. Naan turns hard – Toasting for too long, not enough moisture in the dough, toasting on low heat or not kneading the dough enough.

The rapid rise works more quickly, but you'll lose texture and flavor in the naan. 5) The only equipment you need is a rolling pin. And a cast iron skillet or large nonstick pan. 6) The longer the naan dough rises (up to 4 hours), the better the flavor.

Hence, they also have distinct textures. Plain naan is made with all-purpose flour, yeast, and yogurt, giving it a soft and pillowy texture. Roti or chapati, on the other hand, is an unleavened bread made only with whole wheat flour and water, making it tender yet slightly flaky like a flour tortilla.

While naan is relatively low in fiber, it offers a fair amount of protein. Your body needs this nutrient to maintain healthy functioning of your organs (5). Moreover, naan provides some essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins B1 and B3. It's even a decent source of iron ( 2 , 8 ).

The recipe also works with standard active / dry yeast, but we've found the naan is slightly fluffier and softer using instant yeast. Unusually, we dissolve the instant yeast in warm water then leave it to become foamy – a step usually bypassed with instant yeast, which is typically mixed straight into dough.

The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste. You can use a 2% or fat-free Greek yogurt, your bread may just not be as pillowy soft.

The key I have found when using your hands versus is a rolling pin is to be sure to stretch the naan out as well as possible — if you don't get good length, parts of the naan will be really thick and doughy — again, delicious, but not the ideal texture for naan.

You sprinkle water to keep the naan bread soft. Naan bread will naturally stiffen when not eaten straight from the pan, so eat it as soon as you possibly can.

Most naan recipes start with all-purpose flour, salt, active dry yeast, and water. Yogurt or milk is often (though not always) added, and occasionally egg is added to the dough. The dough is kneaded by hand and then set aside to rise.

Why isn't my naan bread puffing up? ›

Keep an eye on how they're cooking and adjust the heat as needed. If your naan breads are cooking/browning too quickly (before they can puff up and form bubbles), reduce the heat. If they're not puffing up and are taking too long to brown, increase the heat.

The gluten becomes overly relaxed, and the end product will be gummy or crumbly instead of crisp and fluffy. It can also effect the taste, because the sugars in the dough have been consumed by the yeast it can have a sour or off taste. Now you know how long to let pizza dough rise, get cooking with these recipes!

These homemade naan will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be reheated in a microwave or on a skillet. If using a skillet, place a lid or plate on top which will keep the moisture locked in to your naan.

After that, add it to the flour, sugar, salt, and anise seeds, and proceed with the recipe. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The naan can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once it's completely cooled, wrap each piece securely in plastic wrap and put all the rounds in a sealable plastic bag prior to putting in the freezer.

Naan is traditionally made with all-purpose (wheat) flour, which is not gluten-free. But the gluten provides a stretchy element that can be tricky to replicate with gluten-free alternatives.

Unfortunately, most naan you'll get at Indian restaurants is not vegan, as the dough often contains yogurt (or milk) and it's brushed with melted butter. While there are a handful of store-bought vegan naan options, they are pretty lackluster and taste more like store-bought pita bread.

Unfortunately, the majority of naan isn't suitable for vegans as they often contain ghee (clarified butter), yoghurt, milk or even eggs. However, it's not impossible to find vegan-friendly naan in supermarkets, it's just worth double-checking ingredients lists.