Garlic Naan Bread

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Garlic Naan Bread is the ultimate side dish to complement any meal. The garlic adds a fragrant depth of flavor, while the naan itself is soft, warm, and slightly chewy—just like the naan you’d get at your favorite Indian restaurant. Best of all, it’s easy to make at home, and the dough doesn’t require any fancy equipment or techniques. You’ll love how it pairs with curries, stews, or even just as a snack with your favorite dip.

Ingredients

For the Naan Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)

• 1/3 cup plain yogurt (room temperature)

• 2 tablespoons milk

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

• Salt, to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Make the Naan Dough:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture, olive oil (or melted butter), yogurt, and milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough begins to come together.

4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to overwork it.

5. Let the Dough Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size.

Cook the Naan:

6. Preheat the Pan: Heat a cast-iron skillet or nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Make sure it’s nice and hot before cooking the naan.

7. Divide the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it into a round, ¼-inch thick disc.

8. Cook the Naan: Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll out each piece of dough into an oval or circle, about 8 inches in diameter. Place the naan onto the hot skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until bubbles form on the surface. Flip it over and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes, until it’s golden and slightly charred.

9. Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining pieces of dough in the same way.

Add the Garlic Butter:

10. Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.

11. Brush with Garlic Butter: Once the naan is cooked, immediately brush it with the garlic butter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if using.

Serve:

12. Enjoy: Serve your warm garlic naan alongside curries, soups, or dips, and enjoy the amazing flavors and soft texture!

Enjoy!

These fluffy and aromatic garlic naan breads are perfect for sopping up your favorite sauces and enjoying with family and friends.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 8 naan breads

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 ½ hours for dough rising)

• Cook Time: 2-3 minutes per naan

• Total Time: 2 hours

Variations

• Cheese Naan: Stuff the naan with shredded mozzarella cheese before cooking for a cheesy twist.

• Herb Naan: Mix fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or rosemary into the dough for extra flavor.

• Spicy Naan: Add a pinch of chili powder or paprika to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftover naan in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also wrap them tightly in foil and store in the refrigerator.

• Freezing: Freeze cooked naan by wrapping each piece in plastic wrap and foil. Reheat in the oven or on a skillet until warm.

• Reheating: Reheat naan by wrapping in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds, or heat in a hot skillet for about 1 minute on each side.

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour?

Yes, you can substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. However, the naan will be denser than with white flour.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. After kneading, cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let the dough come to room temperature and rise before cooking.

Can I cook naan in the oven?

While naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, you can cook it in a regular oven. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and bake the naan on a hot baking sheet or pizza stone for about 4-5 minutes.

What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?

A regular nonstick or stainless-steel frying pan will work just fine. Make sure it gets very hot before cooking the naan.

Conclusion

Garlic Naan Bread is a must-have side for any Indian meal or just a delicious snack on its own. Soft, chewy, and infused with the irresistible aroma of garlic and butter, this naan is the perfect complement to curries, stews, or any dish that needs a little extra flavor. It’s easy to make at home and will have everyone coming back for more!

Garlic Naan Bread

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 naan breads
• Category: Snack, Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Garlic Naan Bread is a warm, soft, and slightly chewy Indian flatbread infused with the fragrant flavors of garlic and fresh herbs. This homemade naan is perfect for pairing with curries, dipping into sauces, or enjoying with a dollop of butter. Easy to make and irresistibly flavorful, it’s the ultimate side dish that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

• For the Naan Dough:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)

• 1/3 cup plain yogurt (room temperature)

• 2 tablespoons milk

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

• Make the Naan Dough:

  • In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.

  • Add the yeast mixture, olive oil (or melted butter), yogurt, and milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.

  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

• Cook the Naan:

  • Heat a cast-iron skillet or nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat until hot.

  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball and flatten to a ¼-inch thick disc.

  • Roll each piece into an 8-inch circle, then cook on the skillet for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form. Flip and cook the other side until golden and slightly charred, about another 1-2 minutes. Repeat for all naan.

• Add the Garlic Butter:

  • In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.

  • Brush the hot naan with the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle with fresh cilantro, if desired.

• Serve:

  • Serve the garlic naan warm alongside curries, stews, or as a snack with your favorite dip.

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Notes

The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours after kneading. Let it rise to room temperature before cooking.Naan can also be baked at 500°F (260°C) for 4-5 minutes if you don’t have a skillet.For best results, serve immediately while the naan is warm.