Go Back
+ servings
Naan recipe

Naan recipe

This naan recipe creates soft, fluffy bread perfect for Indian meals. Easy to make and customizable with toppings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Proofing Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Course bread
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 pieces
Calories 223 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon instant / rapid rise yeast Note 1
  • ½ cup warm tap water ~40°C/105°F
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 2 tablespoon milk full fat (low fat ok too)
  • 1 ½ tablespoon whisked egg at room temp (around ½ an egg, Note 2)
  • ½ teaspoon salt cooking / kosher
  • 1 ¾ cups bread flour or all-purpose/plain (Note 3)
  • 30 g ghee or unsalted butter melted (Note 4)

Finishes

  • 30 g ghee or butter melted (Note 4)
  • 1 small garlic clove for Garlic Butter option (Note 5)
  • nigella seeds
  • coriander/cilantro finely chopped

Cheese Naan

  • shredded cheese for cheese naan – Monterey Jack, cheddar, tasty, colby, anything that melts (Note 6)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Bloom yeast: Mix yeast with warm water and sugar in a small bowl. Cover with cling wrap, leave for 10 minutes until foamy.
  • Egg and milk: Whisk milk and egg together.
  • Flour: Sift flour and salt into a separate bowl.
  • Add wet ingredients: Make a well in the flour, add yeast mixture, and butter and egg mixture. Mix together with a spatula. Once the flour is mostly incorporated, switch to your hands and bring it together into a ball. No kneading is required.
  • Proof 1: Cover the bowl with cling-wrap, then leave in a warm place for 1 – 1.5 hrs until it doubles in size.
  • Cut into 6 pieces: Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 6 equal pieces, then shape into balls into spheres with a smooth surface.
  • Proof 2: Place balls on a lightly-floured tray or plate. Sprinkle lightly with flour, cover loosely with a lightweight tea towel. Put in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes.
  • Roll out: Place a round on a lightly-floured work surface, flatten with your hand. Roll out into 3 – 4mm / 0.12 – 0.16" thick rounds.
  • Heat skillet: Rub a cast iron skillet with a very light coat of oil using ½ teaspoon oil on a paper towl. Set over high heat until you see wisps of smoke.
  • Cook naan: Place a naan dough in the skillet and cook for 1 to 1 ½ minutes until the underside is deep golden/slightly charred – the surface should get bubbly. Flip then cook the other side for 1 minute until the bubbles become deep golden brown.
  • Cook remaining naan: Remove, set aside, and repeat with remaining naan, taking care to regulate the heat of the skillet so it doesn't get too hot.
  • Finishing: Brush freshly cooked naan with melted butter or ghee (or garlic butter). Sprinkle with nigella seeds and coriander. Serve hot!

Cheese Naan

  • Roll out a naan per above directions. Brush with plain butter or garlic butter. Place a mound of cheese in the middle – about ¼ cup, lightly-packed. Bundle it up, money bag-style, then twist to seal.
  • Turn upside down so the smooth side is up. Roll out to 6-7mm / ¼" thick rounds.
  • Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet preheated over high heat, but not until the skillet is smoking. Cook naan for around 1 ½ minutes on the first side until golden – it will puff up! Turn and cook the other side for around 45 seconds.

Notes

This naan recipe can be made ahead. Dough flavor improves overnight in the fridge. Take it out a few hours before cooking to allow it to rise properly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 277mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
Keyword flatbread, garlic naan, Indian Bread, Naan Recipe, soft naan, Yeast Bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!