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Naan Bread is a traditional flatbread that comes from India. This Indian-style flatbread is addicting with a capital “A”. Get ready for your whole house to smell irresistible.

Naan Bread with garlic and herbs on a plate

What Is Naan Bread

Naan bread is chewy, leavened flatbread that has a bit of a sweetness to it and a nice crust all around. Because it’s made with eggs and milk, it comes out with a gummy and fluffy texture.

Typically, Indian chefs will fry the naan bread in garlic ghee (clarified butter) to give the outside nice, golden crust. Never used ghee before? Grab a jar and use it just like you would butter in most recipes.

This bread tastes absolutely mouthwatering when it’s warm and served alongside curry or butter chicken. However, it is super versatile. You can use it for everything from sandwiches to personal pizzas.

Ingredients for Naan Bread

How to Make Naan Bread

  • Whisk together yeast and sugar and let sit until frothy.
  • Whisk milk, egg and salt. Slowly add flour. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes by hand on a lightly-floured surface or in a mixer.
  • Pop dough in a bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for about an hour, or until the dough has doubled in volume.
  • Split the dough into even pieces. Roll them into balls and set aside on a well-floured tray. Cover with a towel and let rise for at least 15 minutes.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pieces into a flatbread shape.
  • Cook each raw naan on a preheated skillet for about 3 minutes on each side.
  • Serve with some fresh herbs and garlic or all on its own.
water, yeast and sugar in a bowl
water, yeast and sugar in a bowl with egg and milk
Naan doug in a bowl
Naan dough doubled in a size
Rolled out naan breads on a dusted counter
Naan on a skillet

Making Garlic Naan Bread

Chop fresh cilantro and garlic. Then, melt some ghee in a small bowl in the microwave. Whisk in the chopped herbs and garlic. Once you pull the naan out of the skillet, immediately brush the tops with your garlic-herb ghee or butter. Yum!

Serving Naan Bread

Substitute naan for pizza dough and make homemade, personal pizzas. Or, use it to make a sandwich wrap.

Naan is also wonderful when paired with a piping hot bowl of soup or stew. Try making our Cabbage Roll Soup and sop up your leftover broth with your fresh naan. Hello, perfect fall meal.

Love a simple lunch of bread and salad? Pair your naan with our homemade Caesar Salad Recipe for the perfect, light Saturday afternoon meal.

Naan Bread with garlic and herbs on a plate

How to Store Naan Bread

  • Refrigerator: Store naan bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three weeks.
  • Room Temperature: Store naan bread in an airtight container on the punter for up to week.
  • Freezer: Store naan bread in a plastic storage bag in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat and crisp it in the oven for a couple of minutes.

Other Bread Recipes:

  • No-Knead Bread – Save your forearms the work and skip the kneading process all together.
  • Wheat Bread – A hearty wheat bread should be in every home chef’s back pocket.
  • Brioche Bread – This beautiful bread is a perfect substitute for hamburger buns.
  • Honey Wheat Bread – Slather this honey wheat bread in high-quality, European butter and fresh jam right out of the oven.

Recipe

Naan Bread with garlic and herbs on a plate

Naan Bread

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Servings
13 Units
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This Indian-style flatbread is addicting with a capital "A". Get ready for your whole house to smell irresistable.

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk water together with yeast and sugar. Let the ingredients sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
    water, yeast and sugar in a bowl
  • Whisk in milk, egg and salt. In small portions, carefully add flour as you mix. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes by hands on a lightly floured surface or in a standing mixer.
    Kneaded naan dough in a bowl
  • Place dough in a bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in volume.
    Naan dough doubled in a size
  • Split the dough into 10-15 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a tray. Cover with a towel and allow to rise for about 15-20 minutes.
    Naan bread dough pieces
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pieces into thin shape.
    Rolled out naan breads on a dusted counter
  • Cook each one on a preheated skillet for about 3 minutes on each side.
    Naan on a skillet
  • Serve with garlic-herb ghee (see above) or plain.
    Naan Bread with garlic and herbs on a plate
Nutrition Facts
Naan Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 366mg15%
Potassium 54mg2%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 24IU0%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted October 12, 2020

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.