Description
Savory Indian naan bread brings warmth from traditional tandoor ovens to home kitchens worldwide. Homemade flatbread offers simple pleasure you can easily master with basic ingredients and minimal cooking skills.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsps olive oil or melted butter
- 2 tbsps melted butter (for brushing)
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Optional: minced garlic
- Optional: chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining it with sugar in warm water, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for 5-10 minutes.
- Create a flour base in a large mixing bowl by blending salt with the dry ingredients, then incorporate yogurt, olive oil, and the activated yeast mixture to form a cohesive dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for approximately 5 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
- Nestle the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm environment for 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.
- Deflate the risen dough and portion it into 6-8 uniform segments, then gently roll each piece into an elongated oval shape.
- Preheat a skillet to medium-high temperature and cook each naan for 1-2 minutes per side, watching for golden-brown spots and characteristic bubbling.
- Finish by generously brushing the warm naan with melted butter, enhancing its rich flavor and soft texture.
Notes
- Activate the yeast carefully, ensuring water temperature is between 100-110°F to guarantee proper fermentation without killing the active cultures.
- Choose full-fat yogurt for richer, softer naan that provides better texture and enhanced flavor profile.
- Try alternative flours like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary adaptations without compromising authentic taste.
- Use a cast-iron skillet or griddle for achieving those signature charred spots and authentic tandoor-like results when cooking naan.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg