Naan
KOENIndianBread⏱ 35 minEdit history

Naan

India's beloved leavened flatbread, made soft and chewy with yogurt in the dough. No tandoor needed — a screaming-hot skillet bakes it beautifully at home. Perfect for scooping up butter chicken and curries.

Ingredients

6servings
  • Flour · all-purpose250 g
  • Plain yogurt4 tbsp
  • Milk · lukewarm4 tbsp
  • Dry yeast1 tsp
  • Sugar1 tsp
  • Salt0.5 tsp
  • Oil1 tbsp
  • To finish
  • Melted butter (ghee)2 tbsp
  • Minced garlic · garlic naan, optional1 tbsp
  • Cilantro · optional

Steps

  1. Stir the yeast and sugar into the lukewarm milk and leave 5 minutes until frothy.

    ⏲ 5 min
  2. Mix the flour and salt with the yogurt, oil, and yeast milk, and knead to a smooth dough. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, until doubled.

    ⏲ 60 min
  3. Divide the dough into 6, roll into balls, then roll or stretch each into a thin teardrop shape.

    ⏲ 5 min
  4. Heat a skillet (cast iron or nonstick) until very hot. Lay a naan on it; when big bubbles form and the underside browns in spots, flip it.

    ⏲ 2 min
  5. Brown the other side, pressing gently so it puffs evenly.

    ⏲ 2 min
  6. Brush the hot naan with melted butter (for garlic naan, use butter mixed with garlic and cilantro). Serve warm.

    ⏲ 1 min

Tips & Variations

Variations

  • Garlic naan: Brush with butter mixed with minced garlic and cilantro.
  • Cheese naan: Fold mozzarella into the dough before cooking.
  • Butter naan: Slather generously with melted ghee.
  • Whole-wheat naan: Mix in wholemeal flour for a nuttier bread.

Tips

  • Yogurt makes the dough soft and chewy — don't skip it.
  • Get the pan as hot as possible for tandoor-like char and puff.
  • Roll into thin teardrops, but not too thin.
  • Brush with butter the moment it's off the heat for aroma and moisture.
  • Covering the pan briefly helps the top puff up too.

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