Craving the pillowy, garlicky magic of restaurant naan? This Easy Homemade Naan Bread transforms flour, yogurt, and a few kitchen staples into irresistibly soft, skillet-baked flatbreads right at home. Forget store-bought! Each piece puffs, blisters, and soaks up whatever you serve alongside. Whether you’re dunking in luscious curries or wrapping up grilled veggies, this recipe is your gateway to warm, golden comfort. If you’ve ever wanted to impress friends (or just treat yourself) with authentic bread straight off the skillet, this is the one to try.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Easy Homemade Naan Bread is how just a handful of familiar ingredients come together for chewy, fluffy perfection. Each one has its part to play, from the yeast that works its rising magic to the yogurt that keeps everything super soft.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp): The secret to that beautiful rise and airy texture — check your packet is fresh for best results!
- Sugar (1 tsp): Just a touch jump-starts the yeast and adds slight sweetness.
- Warm water (1/2 cup, about 110°F): Temperature matters here — warm, but not hot, so your yeast comes alive, not gets cooked.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): This is your base. Regular flour gives naan the perfect chew.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Essential for flavor — don’t skip or skimp!
- Plain Greek yogurt (1/4 cup): Adds tang and softness, mimicking traditional naan’s texture.
- Olive oil or melted butter (2 tbsp): Keeps the dough rich and tender, with a delicate sheen.
- Warm milk (1/4 cup): Helps activate the yeast and adds a subtle softness to every bite.
- Extra melted butter or ghee (for brushing): This is where naan gets shiny, flavorful, and totally irresistible — don’t skip this final touch!
- Chopped fresh cilantro or garlic (optional, for topping): For those crave-worthy finishing flavors and a pop of freshness or kick of boldness.
How to Make Easy Homemade Naan Bread
Step 1: Bloom the Yeast
Start by awakening your yeast — pour the warm water into a small bowl and sprinkle over the yeast and sugar. Give it a quick stir, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns foamy and smells bready; that’s how you know the yeast is alive and your Easy Homemade Naan Bread is off to the perfect start.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, Greek yogurt, olive oil or butter, and warm milk. Stir with a spoon or spatula until everything comes together in a shaggy, soft dough. If it looks a little sticky, that’s totally normal (and means extra-tender naan!).
Step 3: Knead and Let Rise
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured countertop and knead for about 5 to 6 minutes. Feel it getting silky under your hands — that’s what you want! Once the dough feels smooth and elastic, transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and set it in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Don’t rush this step; this is where the magic happens.
Step 4: Divide and Shape
Gently punch down the dough to release extra air, then cut into 6 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball. Using a rolling pin, flatten each ball into a tear-drop or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick — classic naan style! They don’t have to be perfect; a little rustic charm is part of the fun of Easy Homemade Naan Bread.
Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection
Heat a large skillet (cast iron is dreamy if you have it) on medium-high. Once hot, carefully lay on a piece of dough. After 1-2 minutes, bubbles will form and the bottom will be dotted with golden spots — that’s your cue to flip! Cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat until you’ve cooked every piece.
Step 6: Add Buttery Bliss and Finishing Touches
As soon as each naan is off the pan, brush generously with melted butter or ghee while still warm. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or minced garlic if you crave bold flavors. Cover the stack with a clean towel to keep them perfectly soft and toasty until serving.
How to Serve Easy Homemade Naan Bread
Garnishes
The simplest way to jazz up your Easy Homemade Naan Bread is by brushing with a little extra melted butter or ghee right after cooking. For an aromatic hit, sprinkle on a handful of fresh chopped cilantro or scatter some finely minced garlic. Sesame seeds or a light dusting of flaky sea salt can add a gourmet touch for something delightfully different.
Side Dishes
Homemade naan is made to be dunked, scooped, or wrapped! Pair it with classic Indian curries, creamy dal, comforting lentil soups, or spicy vegetable stews. It’s also fantastic alongside grilled meats, roasted chickpeas, or crisp cucumber raita. Your family will be fighting for that last piece alongside all their favorite mains!
Creative Ways to Present
Want to really make your Easy Homemade Naan Bread the star? Use it as a base for naan pizzas, rip into pieces for shareable platters, or roll up grilled veggies and tangy sauces for wraps. Serve warm in a basket lined with a kitchen towel for that true restaurant feel, or fold into triangles and pile high for a tempting snack board.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Homemade Naan Bread will keep beautifully in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stack the naan with a piece of parchment or wax paper between each to prevent sticking.
Freezing
To freeze, cool the naan completely, then layer with parchment and seal in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep fresh-tasting for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, or pop straight onto a hot skillet from the freezer for quick satisfaction.
Reheating
Reheat naan on a hot, dry skillet for a minute or two per side, or microwave in 10-15 second bursts wrapped in a damp towel to restore softness. You can also warm large batches in the oven, covered lightly with foil, at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Always finish with a brush of fresh butter!
FAQs
Can I make Easy Homemade Naan Bread without yogurt?
Absolutely — you can use regular plain yogurt or even sour cream in place of Greek yogurt. In a pinch, add a splash more milk or water, though the naan might be a little less tender.
Why didn’t my naan puff up or get bubbles?
Usually, this means your skillet wasn’t hot enough, or the dough had not risen fully. Make sure your pan is well preheated, and that your yeast was alive and foamy before mixing the dough for the lightest naan possible.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely! Swap the Greek yogurt and milk for unsweetened non-dairy versions (such as coconut or almond yogurt and plant-based milk). Brush with vegan butter or olive oil to finish.
Is Easy Homemade Naan Bread gluten-free?
Traditional naan is made with wheat flour for that signature chewy texture, so this recipe isn’t gluten-free. However, you can try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast doughs, though the results will be a bit different.
Can I cook naan bread on the grill instead of a skillet?
Yes! Place the rolled-out naan directly on a hot, clean grill grate for delicious smoky flavor and gorgeous grill marks. Cooking time is similar, just keep an eye out for those golden spots and bubbles.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever dreamed of warm, buttery naan without a trip to your local Indian restaurant, this Easy Homemade Naan Bread is your answer. You’ll love how it turns a handful of simple ingredients into pure comfort, and once you make it yourself, you might never go back to store-bought again. So grab your skillet, share a batch with friends or family, and bring the magic of fresh bread into your kitchen!
Print
Easy Homemade Naan Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 naan breads 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make Easy Homemade Naan Bread that turns out soft, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with your favorite curry or soup. This recipe yields 6 delicious naan breads that are great for any meal.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1/4 cup warm milk
For Topping:
- Extra melted butter or ghee, for brushing
- Chopped fresh cilantro or garlic (optional)
Instructions
- Dissolve Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add yeast mixture, yogurt, oil, and milk. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth. Let it rise covered for 1 hour.
- Divide and Roll: Punch down the dough, divide into 6 portions. Roll each into oval shapes.
- Cook Naan: Heat skillet, cook each piece for 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Brush with butter/ghee and top as desired.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with your favorite dishes.
Notes
- For extra soft naan, cover freshly cooked pieces with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and moist.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a pan or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 naan
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
