Soft & Fluffy Naan

This easy recipe for buttery soft and fluffy naan is the perfect vessel for curries and stews, or enjoyed on its own. 

This first appeared on Sift & Simmer in April 2018. Updated September 2023.

What is naan?

Naan is a yeasted flatbread that is commonly found in Western and Southern Asia.

"Naan" simply refers to "bread" and is a staple in Indian cuisine.

It is traditionally cooked in a hot cylindrical oven called a tandoor.

Naan is similar to pita bread, and is served hot with brushed melted butter on top prior to serving.

The bread is served as an accompaniment to dal (lentil curry) and other stews and curries, or used to scoop foods.

Why you'll love this recipe

This naan recipe is:

Easy to make: the dough comes together easily and is forgiving.

Yields a soft naan: using yogurt adds tenderness and moisture to the dough, keeping it soft and pliable.

Egg-free: this recipe does not contain any eggs.

Vegetarian: suitable for those who are looking for a delicious bread that happens to be vegetarian.

Ingredients you'll need

• all-purpose flour: regular plain flour or bread flour
• active dry yeast: acts as the leavener; you can also use instant yeast
• thick Greek yogurt: keeps the dough soft and tender
• whole milk: warmed; also adds moisture; you can also use warm water if you don't have milk on hand
• ghee: is clarified butter; you can also use melted butter if you don't have ghee -- you can find ghee in major grocery stores or East Indian shops
• granulated sugar: balances the flavor, and helps activate the yeast
• sea salt: adds flavor

You can find these ingredients at your local grocery store or supermarket.

How to make soft and fluffy naan

Make the dough:

In a small bowl, combine the warmed milk, sugar and active dry yeast. Give it a stir and set aside until bubbly, about 5 minutes.

In a stand mixer bowl, add all-purpose flour, Greek yogurt, ghee (or melted butter), salt and activated yeast mixture.

Knead for about 10 minutes on low-medium speed until the dough comes together and is shiny and smooth.

If the dough is too sticky, add about 1 tablespoon of flour at a time and continue kneading, until slightly tacky. Conversely, if the dough is too dry, add in 1 teaspoon of water and continue kneading.

Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm location to double in size.

On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 6 to 8 pieces, depending on how large you like them.

Use a rolling pin to flatten to about about ⅛" inch thickness into a tear-drop shape or oval shape, and set onto a large piece of parchment paper.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Cook the naan:

Heat up a dry frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Place the shaped dough onto the skillet/fry pan and cover with a lid. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until puffy and use a pair of tongs to flip and cook for another minute, until golden brown.

Remove naan and brush the top of the naan with melted butter or ghee using a pastry brush.

Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.

Cover naan with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.

How to serve

It's best to serve naan bread slightly warmed.

You can serve naan with Indian dishes such as butter chicken, lentil curry (dal), chicken tikka masala, or paneer (Indian soft cheese).

What to do with leftover naan

Use naan in place of bread or pizza dough. It's great for as a vessel for grilled cheese, or a simple pizza.

You can also use it as a thicker wrap in place of tortillas.

How to store

If serving on the same day, keep the naan covered and wrapped in a clean linen at room temperature. This will help prevent the bread from drying out.

You can store naan at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Place any leftover naan wrapped in aluminum foil, and into an airtight freezer bag. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Alternatively, freeze for up to 1 month.

How to reheat naan

Cover naan with a slightly damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds on high power, or until soft and warmed through.

Variations

For garlic naan, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1-2 tablespoon of fresh chopped garlic to the dough. Note: adding too much garlic can hinder the proofing of the dough.

Alternatively, you can also add chopped garlic to the melted butter to make a garlic butter and brush it on afterwards.

Feel free to add nigella seeds. sesame seeds, ajwain seeds or cumin seeds to the dough for even more flavor.

For a partial whole wheat variation, substitute with 50g of white wheat flour with whole wheat.

Expert tips & FAQs

This homemade soft naan is best served hot and fresh.

However, if that's not feasible -- after cooking, keep it covered and wrapped in a clean linen. This helps it from drying out.

How to keep naan soft?

When ready to serve, drape a damp paper towel over top of the naan and pop it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, to warm up and soften.

Are naan gluten free?

No, naan does contain gluten, unless you're using a 1:1 gluten-free flour.

Can you use naan as pizza crust?

Absolutely. It makes a great pizza base -- just add your toppings and bake for 5-10 minute at 350F.

Other delicious recipes you may like

Be sure to check out these recipes:

Instant Pot Kashmiri Beef Short Rib Curry

Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

Baked Tofu & Everyday Chana With Surehka Rice

Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!