Why You’ll Love This Recipe
My husband took one bite of this Indian Naan Bread and said (with is mouth full of bread), “This is good bread!” My children and I all agreed. Like most homemade yeast bread recipes, it does take some time and patience, but it is so worth it!
- This bread is perfect for serving with Indian or Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, like curry and butter chicken.
- The leftovers make great sandwiches, wraps or gyros.
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and fun variations!
Grilled Naan (Indian Flatbread)
Ingredients
- 1 .25 ounce package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 cup butter melted
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the 1 .25 ounce package active dry yeast and 1/4 cup white sugar in 1 cup warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons milk, 1 egg, and 2 teaspoons salt. Gradually add 3 1/2 cups bread flour to make a soft dough (you may not use all the flour). Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth.
- Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
- Punch down dough. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a lightly greased tray or baking sheet. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes.
- During the second rising, preheat a a lightly oiled outdoor grill, or indoor grill or skillet to high heat. Mix together 1/4 cup butter. melted and 1 teaspoon garlic salt in a small bowl.
- Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough out into a thin circle. Place dough rounds on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. While bread is cooking, brush uncooked side with butter. Turn over and brush cooked side with butter.
- Continue cooking until browned, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all of the naan has been prepared.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sugar Substitutes
The sugar really helps feed the yeast and adds a slight sweetness to the naan, but you can swap it for honey or maple syrup if you prefer a more natural option.
Dairy Free & Egg Free Options
- Dairy Free: You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk, such as almond or oat milk. Just make sure it’s unsweetened, since there’s already sugar in the recipe. Instead of brushing the naan with butter, use olive oil instead. In fact, I often brush my naan with olive oil instead of butter as a personal preference.
- Egg Free: The egg helps make the naan soft and tender, but if you need an egg-free version, you can swap it out for 2 extra tablespoons of milk or yogurt for moisture.
Using Different Types of Flour
This recipe calls for bread flour, which gives the naan a satisfying, chewy texture, but if you don’t have bread flour handy, all-purpose flour works just as well. For whole wheat naan, substitute only half the flour to keep the bread from becoming too dense.
Recipe Tips
- To ensure your dough rises, always check the expiration date on your yeast, and proof it in warm water with sugar to ensure it bubbles. Aim for a water temperature between 100-110°F (37-43°C). A digital instant read thermometer is the best way to check!
- Use high heat! Naan needs high heat to puff properly. If using a grill, make sure it’s preheated to high. If you’re using a skillet, it should be almost smoking! High heat will also help the naan release properly from the skillet or grill. And keep your pan lightly oiled–not too much oil though, or you won’t get those nice charred spots.
- Roll your dough to about 1/4 inch thickness, which is perfect for soft, fluffy naan that puffs up when cooked.
Can I Cook Naan Without a Grill or Cast Iron Skillet?
Yes! In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I often make naan on my George Foreman grill. I put a couple of bread rounds on the grill, brush the tops with butter, and close the lid for about 3 minutes. Then I flip the bread, brush the other side with butter and cook it for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Can I Make Naan Without Yeast?
While traditional naan is made with yeast, you can make a version of this flatbread with baking soda and baking powder instead. Just follow my recipe for Quick No Yeast Flatbread.
Storage and Freezing
- Room temperature: Keep naan in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to one week.
- Freezing the Dough: After the first rise, divide the dough into portions, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge, let it come to room temperature, and continue with the recipe.
- Freezing the Cooked Naan: Let the naan cool completely, then stack with parchment paper between each piece and freeze in a sealed zip-top bag. To reheat, warm in a hot skillet or oven for a few minutes.
Variations and Fun Twists
- Yogurt Naan – Want even softer naan? Replace ¼ cup of milk with plain Greek yogurt for a more tender texture.
- Herbs & Spices – Mix in different herbs, like chopped cilantro, parsley, cumin, or even a pinch of chili flakes to customize the flavor.
- Cheese-Stuffed Naan – Add a spoonful of shredded cheese inside each dough ball before rolling it out for a delicious cheesy twist!
Pairings
These are some of our favorite dishes to enjoy with this recipe.
5 comments
klutzy k
i just realized i have never told you how much i love this recipe! i’ve made it several times now (with the george foreman and without–awesome tip!). i just recommended it over and candy girl’s site where you got butter chicken, because it’s perfect with it! not that i know anything about indian food…i just assumed they’d go great together. 🙂 thanks for sharing this recipe!
heather
i never THOUGHT to use my george foreman! im adding this to my list! i needed more things to use it for
Beat Until Fluffy
I’ve been looking for a recipe like this. I’m totally going to try it and I’ll let you know how it comes out. Thanks for visiting me today! =)