Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: by Nicky Corbishley

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Soft fluffy naan bread, made at home, is out of this world!
Brushed with melted garlic butter, nothing beats it for mopping up the sauce from a tasty curry.
If you're a bread fiend like I am you're going LOVE this recipe.

Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (1)

Jump to:
  • 🔪 How to make this garlic naan
  • A note on yeast
  • 🍽️ What to serve these naan breads with
  • 🍲 More fantastic Indian side dish recipes
  • Garlic Naan Bread
  • 💬 Reviews

I can't tell you how excited I was when I cracked this recipe.
Getting that perfect fluffy-yet-chewy finish, the taste that makes your eyeballs roll back into your head. Yes, I had that moment.

It's the recipe that will make any curry awesome.
Of course I'd recommend you try one of my many curry recipes to go with it.
But really, you could even buy a disappointing supermarket curry (sorry all supermarkets, but I've yet to get one that I really like) and this naan bread will fool you into thinking it was all amazing 😉

🔪 How to make this garlic naan

***Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post***.

  1. We start by adding the yeast to warm water and allowing it to foam. This will tell us is the yeast is active. Be sure to use yeast that's in date and hasn't been sat in the cupboard after opening for too long (yeast sachets, rather than a tub of yeast are best if you don't make bread that often).
  2. Mix the dough in the bowl of a stand mixer - it's much easier than by hand as it's quite a sticky mixture. For the dough we add bread flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, natural yogurt (the yogurt is what makes the bread more fluffy), melted butter and the yeast mixture.
  3. Knead the dough with the dough hook attachment for 10 minutes, then cover and prove the dough for 60-90 minutes - until doubled in size.
  4. Then we divide and roll out the dough. Use a rolling pin and plenty of flour for dusting, roll each one (this recipe makes 6) into a rough teardrop shape.
  5. Cook each naan bread in a searing hot, dry pan, for about 3 minutes on each side. When you add the dough to the pan nothing will happen at first, then after a couple of minutes, big bubbles should start to appear. They're the bits that will get lovely and brown when you turn the naan bread over in the pan.
Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (2)

👩‍🍳PRO TIP Keep the naan breads warm in the oven on a very low heat. Place the naans on a tray and place them on top of each other in a stack (this helps them not to dry out) in the oven, covered in foil.

Once the naan breads are ready, generously brush them with garlic butter. This is a mixture of melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, salt and dried parsley.

A note on yeast

I use instant yeast because that's what I always have in the cupboard.

Technically you don't have to 'activate' instant yeast in water, but I do anyway because it makes it less confusing having to alter liquid amounts if I were to make it with active or fresh yeast.
Fresh, active or instant yeast can all be added to warm water to check if it's active - so I see it as a 'one-size-fits-all' instruction.

I've included some information in the notes section of the recipe card regarding yeast amounts if you want to use active or fresh yeast instead of instant.

Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (3)

🍽️ What to serve these naan breads with

I've got a whole category of curries that would be perfect!

  • Chicken Madras
  • Slow-Cooked Beef Curry
  • Chicken Jalfrezi
  • Pulled Lamb Curry
  • Delicious Chicken Dhansak
  • For a veggie curry try this Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry

🍲 More fantastic Indian side dish recipes

  • Chicken Pakora Recipe
  • Pilau Rice Recipe
  • Tomato and Onion Salad
  • Chapati Recipe
  • Onion Bhaji
  • Raita

Stay updated with new recipes!
Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (10)

Garlic Naan Bread

Soft, fluffy, homemade naan bread, brushed with melted garlic butter. Perfect for mopping up the sauce from your favourite curry!

4.93 from 13 votes

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Proofing time 1 hour hr

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Course side dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6 naan breads

Calories 353 kcal

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast
  • 120 ml (½ cup) warm water
  • 300 g (2 ½ cups) strong white bread flour - plus extra for dusting
  • 1 tsp (5g) sugar (caster or superfine)
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp (5g) salt
  • 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tbsp) natural yogurt
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) melted unsalted butter

For rolling/shaping:

  • 3-4 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

Garlic butter:

  • 75 g (5 tbsp) melted unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 tsp dried parsley - or 4 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place the yeast in a bowl and add the warm water. Stir together and leave for 5 minutes, until foam appears on top of the water.

    2 tsp (7g) instant yeast, 120 ml (½ cup) warm water

  • Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, yeast and water mixture, yogurt, and melted butter to the bowl of a stand mixer.

    300 g (2 ½ cups) strong white bread flour, 1 tsp (5g) sugar (caster or superfine), ½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp (5g) salt, 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tbsp) natural yogurt, 30 g (2 tbsp) melted unsalted butter

  • Mix the dough together using the dough hook until combined. The mixture will look dry at first but will come together.

  • Once combined, continue to knead the dough with the dough hook for 10 minutes. By this point, the dough will be quite sticky.

  • Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or clingfilm and allow to prove for 60-90 minutes, until doubled in size.

  • Dust the work surface with a good sprinkling of flour. Divide the dough into 6 balls, dust each one with flour and roll each one out into a teardrop shape approx 18cm (7 inches) long and about 12cm (4.7 inches) wide at the widest point.

    3-4 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

  • Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (to keep the naan breads warm).

  • Heat a large frying pan (either a non-stick or a seasoned cast iron pan) over a high heat. When very hot, place a naan bread in the pan and fry for approx. 3 minutes, until it puffs up.

  • Turn the naan bread over a cook for another 3 minutes until golden patches appear on the bread. You can cook it for longer if you prefer darker patches (the pan may smoke a little if cooking for longer, so you may need to carefully wipe it out after cooking each naan).

  • Meanwhile make the garlic butter by mixing the melted unsalted butter, salt, garlic, and dried parsley together in a small bowl.

    75 g (5 tbsp) melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp salt, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tsp dried parsley

  • When the naan bread is cooked, place it on a baking tray and brush the top generously with the garlic butter mixture.

  • Cover the tray with foil and place in the oven.

  • Repeat, cooking each naan bread, brushing the top with garlic butter and placing on top of the previously cooked naan bread (keeping them in a stack will keep them nice and soft). Each time you add a naan bread to the pile, re-cover the pile with the piece of foil and place back in the oven to keep warm until all the naan breads are cooked.

  • Serve with your favourite curry.

✎ Notes

Can I make them ahead?

Yes, make the naan breads, then cool them and place in an airtight container or wrapped in foil. They should be fine at room temperature for 2 days.

Reheat them by placing on a baking tray in a single layer, covered in foil. Place in a pre-heated oven at 200C/400F for about 5-6 minutes until hot throughout.

You can make them ahead, including brushing on the garlic butter, or you can make them without the garlic butter and brush the garlic butter on after reheating. It's up to you.
They will be more buttery if you brush the garlic butter on right before serving, but they taste great either way.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, make the naan breads, then cool them and place in an airtight container or wrapped in foil and place in the freezer.

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as per the make-ahead instructions above.

Can I use regular active dry yeast or fresh yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes:

Replace the 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast with 2.5 tsp (9g)active dry yeast.
OR
Replace the 2 tsp (7g) instant yeast with 2tbsp (18g) of fresh yeast.

Ingredient swaps

For plain or cumin naans:
Instead of brushing with garlic butter, brush with melted salted butter and sprinkle on nigella seeds or cumin seeds.

For chilli and/or coriander (cilantro) garlic naans:
Swap out the parsley for chilli flakes and/or freshly chopped coriander (cilantro)

Scale down the recipe

You can halve the recipe to make 3 naans or 4 small naans by halving all of the ingredients (same kneading and proving time needed).

Nutritional information is per naan bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 794mgPotassium: 177mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 466IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg

Keywords bread, garlic bread

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Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our

Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (11)

Hi I’m Nicky

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  1. Patti Cranton says

    Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (20)
    This is by far the best (plain) naan recipe I've tried, and I've tried many! It's easy to follow and the breads are fluffy and tasty with just the right amount of sweet and salt. Thank you Nicky.

    Reply

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Garlic Naan Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long can you leave naan dough before cooking? ›

Either transfer your dough to a lidded container or cover your bowl with plastic wrap if you did not do so in step 3. Move the bowl or loosely lidded container to the fridge and store overnight, but no more than 48 hours—the gluten will begin to break down, and the flavor will become too ethanol-y.

Why is my naan bread not fluffy? ›

If the pan is not hot enough then the naan will not rise well. So ensure it is hot but not extremely hot.

What makes naan bread so good? ›

— but I think these naan are as close to restaurant-quality as is possible in the home kitchen. The bread flour gives the naan “chew”; the yogurt imparts a slight tang; and the use of a cast iron pan gives the bread its distinctive char and smokiness.

What is naan bread made of? ›

Flour, yeast, milk, and butter make a tender dough that's simply seasoned with garlic and salt, but there is a wide array of naan bread flavors. You'll find everything from coconut and raisin-stuffed bread to saucy lamb-topped naan in restaurants and home kitchens around the world.

How to tell if naan has gone bad? ›

You'll be able to easily identify a piece of naan that has gone bad. Over time, the bread will harden and lose its soft, fluffy texture.

How do you keep naan from going bad? ›

Naan bread should be stored in one of two ways: in the freezer or in an airtight bag/zip lock or container at room temperature. If at all possible, avoid storing it in the refrigerator.

How to get naan bread to puff up? ›

Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet preheated over high heat, but not until the skillet is smoking. Cook naan for around 1 1/2 minutes on the first side until golden – it will puff up! Turn and cook the other side for around 45 seconds.

What is the trick to fluffy bread? ›

Add Sugar

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

Why isn't my naan bread puffing up? ›

Keep an eye on how they're cooking and adjust the heat as needed. If your naan breads are cooking/browning too quickly (before they can puff up and form bubbles), reduce the heat. If they're not puffing up and are taking too long to brown, increase the heat.

Why is naan unhealthy? ›

Saturated fat constitutes about a quarter of the total amount of fat in naan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that saturated fat calories account for less than 10% of your total daily calorie intake ( 6 ). As such, you should avoid filling up on naan if you're watching your saturated fat intake.

What happens if I eat naan everyday? ›

Naan is usually made from Maida ( whitest form of flour) which is not quite good for health. On the daily basis, if consumed, it can give rise to many stomach disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It can kill your appetite giving rise to many undesirable health issues.

Why do you sprinkle water on naan bread? ›

You sprinkle water to keep the naan bread soft. Naan bread will naturally stiffen when not eaten straight from the pan, so eat it as soon as you possibly can.

Why use yogurt in naan bread? ›

Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt holds the naan dough together and ensures a tender texture. Make sure you get authentic Greek yogurt and not Greek-style yogurt.

What do we call naan in English? ›

Word forms: plural naans. variable noun. Naan or naan bread is a type of bread that comes in a large, round, flat piece and is usually eaten with Indian food.

What do you eat with naan bread? ›

One of the most popular Indian delicacies that we know of; curries are creamy with the right amount of spicy, curries pair perfectly with warm, fluffy naan. Naan bread also serves as the perfect companion to soups and stews, absorbing their rich flavors and adding a delightful textural contrast.

How long can you leave dough before cooking? ›

Rather than placing the dough in the refrigerator overnight, leave it covered on the counter for 1 to 4 hours until it's ready to bake. Since the dough is proofed at room temperature, I find using the poke test a very effective way to tell when the bread dough is ready for the oven.

How long does naan last at room temperature? ›

Naan bread typically lasts 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It can also last up to a week if refrigerated. Naan bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap each piece of naan in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag.

How do you store raw naan dough? ›

Transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake from frozen, remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer and place on a parchment-lined baking tray.

How do you store naan bread after opening? ›

Naan is best stored sealed in a bread box or dark location to help preserve its aroma and flavor. What if you have extras that you want to freeze? Naan can be easily frozen and thawed to room temperature – no special treatment required.

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