Make incredibly soft, fluffy, and chewy naan bread right on your stovetop! This easy homemade recipe uses simple ingredients and requires no tandoor, giving you that perfect restaurant-quality flatbread for dipping into your favorite curries.
Author:Sophia Collins
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 45 minutes
Yield:8 naan breads 1x
Category:Bread
Method:Stovetop Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:Indian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water (about 105-115°F)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plain yogurt (full-fat recommended)
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
1 clove garlic, minced (optional, for topping)
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
Combine wet and dry: Add the foamy yeast mixture, yogurt, milk, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
First rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Divide the dough: Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide it into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Let the balls rest for 10 minutes.
Roll out the naan: On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into an oval or teardrop shape, about 1/8 inch thick.
Cook the naan: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Do not add oil to the pan.
Cook on the skillet: Place one rolled naan into the hot, dry skillet. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until large bubbles form on the surface and the underside is lightly browned.
Flip and cook: Flip the naan and cook the other side for another minute until golden spots appear. The bubbles should puff up nicely, mimicking a tandoor effect.
Brush with butter: Immediately transfer the cooked naan to a plate. Brush the top generously with melted butter. If making garlic naan, mix the minced garlic into the melted butter and brush it on, then sprinkle with cilantro.
Serve warm: Stack the cooked naan and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft while you cook the remaining pieces.
Notes
For the softest results, use full-fat Greek yogurt in the dough.
If you are planning your meals for the week, this dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; let it come to room temperature before rolling.
This bread is fantastic for dipping, similar to what you would use with best meal delivery services’ curry dishes.
If you want to try making garlic naan, mix 1 tablespoon of melted butter with 1 clove of minced garlic and brush it on immediately after cooking.