Naan Bread (The Best Recipe!) - Naan - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Naan - easy naan bread recipe using a cast-iron skillet. Soft, puffy, with beautiful brown blisters just like Indian restaurants. This is the best recipe you'll find online!

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Table of Contents

Naan Bread

Naan is an Indian recipe; it’s a type of flat bread.

Traditionally they are baked inside a very hot clay tandoor oven, with charcoal or wood fire.

The naan bread are stuck to the inside of the oven just like the picture below.

The tandoor oven retains very high heat, up to 900°F and hence fills the inside of the flat bread with air pockets and bakes them to perfection.

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In a modern day kitchen, we do not have a tandoor oven, but you can make naan at home with a hot cast-iron skillet on the stove stop, or bake in the oven.

My naan recipe is made on a stove top, using a very hot cast-iron skillet.

The naan turn out extremely delicious, soft, puffy, airy, with the beautiful golden brown spots on the surface.

They taste just like the best Indian buffet restaurants!

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Other Recipes You Might Like

  • Cheesy Garlic Naan
  • Chapati
  • Mango Chutney

Frequently Asked Questions about Naan:

Is Naan Bread Healthy?

Yes, it is super healthy. My recipe is quick and easy, fail-proof and cooked on a skillet. You do not need a tandoor oven!

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Does It Have Eggs?

There is no eggs in the recipe. Vegan can’t eat them as this recipe calls for yogurt, which is not vegan-friendly.

The Origin of Naan

It originated from Iranian. However, different countries have its own version of the bread.

It’s a staple in Iran, many middle eastern countries, the Indian subcontinent countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.

The Difference between Naan and Roti

They are both flat breads but different because of the ingredients used. Roti, for example, chapati is made with whole wheat flour and there is no yeast.

Naan is made with all purpose flour and you will need yeast to make the dough.

Tips on How to Make Naan

  • First, you want to make the dough by combining the yeast and flour together. Knead the dough with hand or using a stand mixer and then rest to double the dough in size.
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  • Divide the dough into 8 balls. Heat up a cast-iron skillet on high heat to make naan.
  • The high heat makes the dough rises and fills the middle part of the bread with an air pocket. It’s done when burnt brown “blisters” or spots appear, just like my pictures.
  • Brush the fresh-off-the-skillet naan with some melted salted butter and top them with cilantro leaves.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 295 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with Naan?

They are great with Indian curries with sauce, for example: chicken tikka masala or butter chicken.

For a wholesome Indian dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Butter Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tandoori Shrimp

How to Make Naan Bread?

Please refer to the recipe card below for detailed step-by-step method on how to make naan at home.

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Naan Bread (The Best Recipe)

Naan - easy naan bread recipe using a cast-iron skillet. Soft, puffy with brown blisters just like Indian restaurants. This is the best recipe online!

4.55 from 1552 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 8 pieces

Prep 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/4 oz. (10g) active dry yeast ((2 1/4 teaspoons) )
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • some oil (for greasing the skillet)
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add the sugar, warm water, and yeast together. Stir to combine well. The yeast should be activated when it becomes foamy, about 10 minutes. Transfer the flour to a flat surface and make a well in the middle.

  • Add the yeast mixture, yogurt, salt and oil, knead the dough until the surface becomes smooth and shiny, about 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place (for example: beside the stove top or warm oven). The dough should double in size, about 1 hour.

  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll the dough to a 8” (230g) circle using a rolling spin.

  • Heat up a skillet (cast-iron preferred) over high heat and lightly grease the surface with some oil to avoid the dough from sticking to the skillet. Place the dough on the skillet. When it puffs up and bubbles and burnt spots appear, flip it over and cook the other side. Repeat the same until all dough are done.

  • Brush the naan with the melted butter, serve warm.

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Notes

Watch the cooking video on this page for step-by-step guide.

If the dough is sticky, add extra 2 more tablespoons of flour to bind the dough.

Course: Indian Recipes

Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: from scratch, Naan, naan bread, vegetarian

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Naan Bread (The Best Recipe)

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 295Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 46mg2%

Carbohydrates 48g16%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 8g16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Naan Bread (The Best Recipe!) - Naan - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Is naan bread bad for cholesterol? ›

Naan by itself may cause your blood sugar to go up, but eating naan as part of a balanced plate and pairing it with protein, vegetables, and fat can help blunt the effects naan may have on your blood sugar. Naan is a high carb food that may help promote healthy blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Which is the best naan bread? ›

Top 10 Naan Bread Products
  • Sharwood's. Garlic & Coriander Poppadoms. ...
  • M&S. 2 Tandoori Naans. ...
  • Sharwood's. 4 Mini Naan Garlic & Coriander. ...
  • Sharwood's. Flame-Baked Plain Naan Bread. ...
  • Riya's. Original Recipe Garlic & Coriander Naan Bread. ...
  • Sharwood's. Mini Peshwari Naans. ...
  • M&S. 2 Large Garlic & Coriander Naans. ...
  • The Clay Oven Bakery.

Is naan bread unhealthy? ›

It's low in calories and fat, high in fibre and protein, and has no added sugar. A large slice of naan bread contains only 38 calories not bad for a whole wheat flatbread!

What is the difference between naan and Roghni Naan? ›

Roghni Naan is softer, thicker, and richer than plain naan, has a beautiful golden shine on it, and is covered with sesame seeds which add more texture and flavor to it.

What bread to avoid with high cholesterol? ›

Bread containing animal products, such as milk or eggs, and bread made from refined grains should be avoided when trying to stay within a low-cholesterol diet. Any bread products made with milk or eggs, such as brioche bread and pastries, should be avoided as they contain cholesterol.

Which Indian bread is healthiest? ›

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha). If you're new to this kind of food, I insist you to try all varieties of Indian breads.

Should you toast naan? ›

The toaster can be used to reheat your naan bread but it's not the best method to do so. The naan gets really dry and there's no way that you can add water to the naan before toasting. That said, it's really quick and a decent option when a toaster is all you have to reheat the bread.

Is naan bread healthier than rice? ›

100 grams of naan contains 310 calories, compared to 100 grams of steamed brown rice, which contains 125 calories. naan contains no fiber compared to the rice, which leads to an imbalance of gut bacteria, constipation, and a potentially increased risk of bowel cancer. naan contains no phytonutrients.

What bread is closest to naan? ›

Kulcha. This next bread is often confused with naan due to its similar appearance. While naan is usually made with yeast and yogurt or milk, kulcha is usually made with baking powder and baking soda.

Does naan increase belly fat? ›

NAAN is mainly dough which is high in carbs, so yes, theoretically you can store fat in your gut if you're consuming high quantities of NAAN frequently.

What is the most unhealthiest bread in the world? ›

The Least Nutritious Breads
  • White Bread. White bread doesn't rank too high when it comes to nutrition. ...
  • Specialty Breads: Ciabatta, Pita, Focaccia and Brioche. Most specialty-style breads, like ciabatta, pita bread, focaccia and brioche are made with refined white flour.

Is pita bread better than naan? ›

As stated earlier, naan is high in fat, and specifically high in saturated fats. Pita on the other hand is considered to be a low fat food. Naan does have other benefits, including a higher protein content which will keep you fuller for longer and curb cravings.

Is naan or roti better? ›

Roti is generally considered healthier than naan. Roti is lower in calories and contains zero saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In contrast, naan tends to be higher in calories and may contain added fats. For a healthier choice, roti is often preferred, especially by those conscious of their dietary intake.

Which naan is best? ›

Butter garlic naan is a traditional Indian flatbread and one of the most popular versions of naan. It's made with flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and yogurt.

Why is naan bread so good? ›

While both naan and pita bread are delicious in their own way, naan bread has a softer texture and richer flavor profile that makes it a versatile option for any range of dishes.

Is naan bread heart healthy? ›

As stated earlier, naan is high in fat, and specifically high in saturated fats. Pita on the other hand is considered to be a low fat food. Naan does have other benefits, including a higher protein content which will keep you fuller for longer and curb cravings.

Which bread is best for high cholesterol? ›

Try switching to whole-wheat or whole-grain varieties. These types of bread are also high in fiber, which can help lower your cholesterol. You might also try low-carbohydrate varieties of bread, but make sure that you check out the fat and fiber content on the food nutrition label before you make your choice.

Does flatbread raise cholesterol? ›

Bread does not generally contain cholesterol, but varieties that include animal products, such as milk and butter, do contain cholesterol. White bread and other types made from refined grains may raise a person's cholesterol levels.

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