Naan Bread

With just 6 ingredients, you can enjoy fresh, warm naan at home! This easy bread recipe is inspired by all the delicious authentic naan I had while traveling in India, and now that I know how easy it is to make it, I have to share it with all of you! It’s a quick recipe that can be used to make wraps, dip in soup, serve with salads, and so much more.

If you’ve never had naan, it’s a soft, tender flatbread that’s even puffier than pita. It’s light, fluffy, and perfect for dipping into creamy sauces like hummus or tzatziki.

the all-purpose dipper: naan

• Pantry Staple Ingredients: Things like salt, yeast, and flour are really all you need. You need yogurt too, but I bet you already have that in your fridge!
• Quick: Unlike traditional bread and rolls, naan only has to rise once, not twice, so it’s quicker to make.
• Naan is versatile: You can enjoy it on its own, with Indian-inspired chickpea tikka masala curry or butter chickpea skillet, as the base for a naan pizza, and so much more.

grab these ingredients

There’s nothing better than an easy, low-ingredient recipe. To make this bread, you’ll need only six things. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements!

• Water: You will need warm water for the dough. Make sure that it isn’t hot. Typically, water from the faucet on the hottest setting is perfect, or microwave water for 45 seconds.
• Dry Yeast: The yeast will help the dough rise. We want active dry yeast, specifically, as opposed to regular yeast (which takes longer to activate).
• Sugar: A bit of sugar helps the yeast rise. Honey will also work.
• All-Purpose Flour: This creates the bulk of the dough.
• Salt: This helps bring out all the other flavors!
• Yogurt: Yogurt is a staple ingredient in naan bread and helps give this recipe its signature flavor and tenderness.

How to make naan

This is an overview. For the full printable recipe, jump to the recipe card.

Step 1: Proof the Yeast
Combine warm water (about 105 degrees F) with yeast and sugar. This will activate the yeast while also helping you see if the yeast is alive.

Step 2: Combine with Flour
Combine flour and salt in a large bowl (or the bowl of your KitchenAid). Add the yeast mixture and yogurt. The mixture is ready when it forms a solid ball shape and has a stretchy, doughy texture.

Step 3: Knead the Dough
Knead by hand (8 minutes) or with the bread hook of a standing mixer (5 minutes at medium speed) until smooth. The dough will be sticky, but if it is too sticky to handle, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 4: Let it Rest
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place and let rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 5: Divide the dough
On a well-floured surface, flatten dough into a disk, then cut that disk into 8 pieces. For equal-sized naan bread, slice the dough as evenly as possible. We’ll be pulling these apart to cook individually.

Step 6: Cook the Dough
Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium/high heat. Working with one at a time, roll each piece of naan on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick (it’s fine if the shape isn’t perfect). Cook in the skillet for about 2 minutes per side (until golden brown with slightly charred spots). Cover with a towel to keep warm while you finish the rest.

A fun twist: cheese naan!

If you’ve read through this recipe and found yourself wondering how to make cheese naan, keep reading. Cheese naan is a fun and delicious twist on the traditional style. The best part is that it’s very simple!

How to make cheese naan:

1. Cut the dough into 16 pieces (rather than 8).
2. Roll each out to ⅛-inch.
3. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of mozzarella cheese into the center, top with another piece, and crimp the edges to seal.
4. Cook as instructed above!

How to enjoy naan

These flatbreads can be enjoyed in several ways. Curry is always a favorite as well as any of these Indian-inspired recipes.

• Chickpea Tikka Masala: A quick dish that’s packed with flavor and a yummy sauce.
• Chana Dal: A classic dish that can be made on a busy weeknight or for company.
• Tofu Tikka Masala: A variation of my chickpea version, this one uses tofu for a little more protein.
• Vegan Butter Tofu “Chicken”: The perfect quick weeknight Indian-inspired classic turned vegan.