Naan Bread (The Best Recipe!) - Naan - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Naan - easy naan bread recipe using a cast-iron skillet. Soft, puffy, with beautiful brown blisters just like Indian restaurants. This is the best recipe you'll find online!

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Table of Contents

Naan Bread

Naan is an Indian recipe; it’s a type of flat bread.

Traditionally they are baked inside a very hot clay tandoor oven, with charcoal or wood fire.

The naan bread are stuck to the inside of the oven just like the picture below.

The tandoor oven retains very high heat, up to 900°F and hence fills the inside of the flat bread with air pockets and bakes them to perfection.

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In a modern day kitchen, we do not have a tandoor oven, but you can make naan at home with a hot cast-iron skillet on the stove stop, or bake in the oven.

My naan recipe is made on a stove top, using a very hot cast-iron skillet.

The naan turn out extremely delicious, soft, puffy, airy, with the beautiful golden brown spots on the surface.

They taste just like the best Indian buffet restaurants!

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Other Recipes You Might Like

  • Cheesy Garlic Naan
  • Chapati
  • Mango Chutney

Frequently Asked Questions about Naan:

Is Naan Bread Healthy?

Yes, it is super healthy. My recipe is quick and easy, fail-proof and cooked on a skillet. You do not need a tandoor oven!

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Does It Have Eggs?

There is no eggs in the recipe. Vegan can’t eat them as this recipe calls for yogurt, which is not vegan-friendly.

The Origin of Naan

It originated from Iranian. However, different countries have its own version of the bread.

It’s a staple in Iran, many middle eastern countries, the Indian subcontinent countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.

The Difference between Naan and Roti

They are both flat breads but different because of the ingredients used. Roti, for example, chapati is made with whole wheat flour and there is no yeast.

Naan is made with all purpose flour and you will need yeast to make the dough.

Tips on How to Make Naan

  • First, you want to make the dough by combining the yeast and flour together. Knead the dough with hand or using a stand mixer and then rest to double the dough in size.
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  • Divide the dough into 8 balls. Heat up a cast-iron skillet on high heat to make naan.
  • The high heat makes the dough rises and fills the middle part of the bread with an air pocket. It’s done when burnt brown “blisters” or spots appear, just like my pictures.
  • Brush the fresh-off-the-skillet naan with some melted salted butter and top them with cilantro leaves.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 295 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with Naan?

They are great with Indian curries with sauce, for example: chicken tikka masala or butter chicken.

For a wholesome Indian dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Butter Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tandoori Shrimp

How to Make Naan Bread?

Please refer to the recipe card below for detailed step-by-step method on how to make naan at home.

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Naan Bread (The Best Recipe)

Naan - easy naan bread recipe using a cast-iron skillet. Soft, puffy with brown blisters just like Indian restaurants. This is the best recipe online!

4.55 from 1552 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 8 pieces

Prep 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/4 oz. (10g) active dry yeast ((2 1/4 teaspoons) )
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • some oil (for greasing the skillet)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add the sugar, warm water, and yeast together. Stir to combine well. The yeast should be activated when it becomes foamy, about 10 minutes. Transfer the flour to a flat surface and make a well in the middle.

  • Add the yeast mixture, yogurt, salt and oil, knead the dough until the surface becomes smooth and shiny, about 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place (for example: beside the stove top or warm oven). The dough should double in size, about 1 hour.

  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll the dough to a 8” (230g) circle using a rolling spin.

  • Heat up a skillet (cast-iron preferred) over high heat and lightly grease the surface with some oil to avoid the dough from sticking to the skillet. Place the dough on the skillet. When it puffs up and bubbles and burnt spots appear, flip it over and cook the other side. Repeat the same until all dough are done.

  • Brush the naan with the melted butter, serve warm.

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Notes

Watch the cooking video on this page for step-by-step guide.

If the dough is sticky, add extra 2 more tablespoons of flour to bind the dough.

Course: Indian Recipes

Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: from scratch, Naan, naan bread, vegetarian

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Naan Bread (The Best Recipe)

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 295Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 46mg2%

Carbohydrates 48g16%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 8g16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Naan Bread (The Best Recipe!) - Naan - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Which is the best naan bread? ›

Top 10 Naan Bread Products
  • Sharwood's. ...
  • Sharwood's. Flame-Baked Plain Naan Bread. ...
  • Sharwood's. Garlic & Coriander Naans. ...
  • Riya's. Original Recipe Garlic & Coriander Naan Bread. ...
  • M&S. 2 Large Garlic & Coriander Naans. ...
  • The Clay Oven Bakery. 2 Garlic & Coriander Naan Bread. ...
  • Sharwood's. Mini Peshwari Naans. ...
  • Sharwood's. Peshwari Naans.

What is the difference between naan and Roghni naan? ›

Roghni Naan is softer, thicker, and richer than plain naan, has a beautiful golden shine on it, and is covered with sesame seeds which add more texture and flavor to it.

Are naan breads unhealthy? ›

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

What is the difference between Afghan naan and Indian naan? ›

Afghan naan is different in shape, texture, and taste from Indian varieties. While the main ingredient – wheat flour – is the same, Afghan bakers hand-shape the dough, rather than rolling it out, and their use of a tandoor results in large, pillowy rounds.

Is it OK to eat naan everyday? ›

Despite its high calorie content, naan bread can be a good source of carbohydrates, which are essential for providing energy to the body. However, it is important to consume naan bread in moderation, as excessive consumption can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

Is yeast or baking powder better for naan? ›

Naan is essentially a leavened flatbread, which means it contains some form of raising agent to provide its airy texture. Hence for this naan, the raising agent we will be using is yeast. Other variations do exist which may utilise self raising flour or baking powder/baking soda.

Is naan healthy or roti? ›

Roti is generally considered healthier than naan. Roti is lower in calories and contains zero saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In contrast, naan tends to be higher in calories and may contain added fats. For a healthier choice, roti is often preferred, especially by those conscious of their dietary intake.

Why is naan bread so high in calories? ›

Naan has very similar ingredients to many other types of bread. Flour, yeast, salt, egg, sugar, and sometimes yogurt. (Yes, I know that there are many regional variations.) So they have similar calories, about 300 per naan.

What is healthier than naan? ›

Roti, primarily made from whole wheat flour, generally offers more fiber, fewer calories, and less fat compared to naan, which includes all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy products like yogurt or milk.

What are the disadvantages of eating naan? ›

Naan is usually made from Maida ( whitest form of flour) which is not quite good for health. On the daily basis, if consumed, it can give rise to many stomach disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It can kill your appetite giving rise to many undesirable health issues.

What is the most unhealthiest bread in the world? ›

The Least Nutritious Breads
  • White Bread. White bread doesn't rank too high when it comes to nutrition. ...
  • Specialty Breads: Ciabatta, Pita, Focaccia and Brioche. Most specialty-style breads, like ciabatta, pita bread, focaccia and brioche are made with refined white flour.

Do Indians eat naan or roti? ›

Now that we know about flatbreads, we can explain why Roti and Naan are so different. Roti (also known as Chapati) is arguably India's most popular flatbread. This unleavened flatbread is one of the most common sides in Northern India and appears in all of India's regions.

Do Indian restaurants use yeast in naan? ›

While there is not just one authentic Naan recipe, this is based on traditional Indian recipes. Is there yeast in Naan? Yeast is not traditionally used to make Naan as it is a flatbread. However, Westernized versions of Naan sometimes include yeast, creating a more bready texture.

Do Indians say naan bread? ›

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

What is the best Indian bread to order? ›

6 Indian Breads You Need To Try
  • Tandoori Roti.
  • Methi Thepla.
  • Paratha.
  • Puran Poli.
  • Naan.

What are the different naan breads? ›

Among the varieties of filled naan are: keema naan, which contains spiced lamb; Peshawari naan, which is sweet, being filled with combinations of coconut, raisins, sultanas, and nuts; Kashmiri naan, which uses candied cherries, golden raisins, almonds, cumin, and fenugreek; aloo naan, which contains spiced mashed ...

Which Indian bread is the best? ›

Naan. Naan is probably the most famous of Indian bread. This fluffy, leavened Indian flatbread is best served hot, and even though it is ideal for sopping up the gravy in curry dishes, it also the perfect accompaniment for other popular dishes like tandoori chicken.

What is the difference between naan bread? ›

Naan is a leavened bread (meaning it uses yeast), while roti is an unleavened bread (meaning it doesn't). The different ingredients give a far different texture: naan is soft and chewy, while roti is dense and thin.

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