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.

Is naan healthy or unhealthy? ›

Naan bread can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose whole grain varieties. Naan bread contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, fiber, and iron, as well as fiber. It also is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.

Which is the best naan bread? ›

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

Is naan bread bad for diabetics? ›

There aren't any foods that are completely off-limits, although you may need to adjust your plan so you eat less of your favorites or have them only occasionally as a special treat. Limit highly processed starches, such as: White rice. Foods made with refined, white flour, such as loaf bread, flour tortillas, or Naan.

What bread to avoid with high cholesterol? ›

White bread and other types made from refined grains may raise a person's cholesterol levels. Bread is a staple food for many different cultures, and there are hundreds of unique types.

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).

Which is healthier, pita or naan? ›

Naan is higher in protein (around 9 grams) and fat (around 5 grams) than pita and other breads.

What is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Look for “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” or “whole meal” on the label. If a loaf contains 6 grams of fiber per 100 g, it's rich in fiber. Choose breads with plenty of intact grains, like oats, barley, and quinoa, as well as seeds, if you can eat these. Watch out for mass-produced sourdough breads.

Which is healthier roti or naan? ›

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.

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.

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.

What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›

Top foods and drinks to avoid with diabetes
  • Whole milk. ...
  • Hot dogs. ...
  • Pre-packaged lunch meat. ...
  • Sweetened cereals. ...
  • Regular pancake syrup. ...
  • Sherbet. ...
  • Loaded baked potatoes. A plain baked potato is a relatively healthy food choice. ...
  • Fried foods. Deep-fried food such as French fries and fried chicken are not healthy choices.
Sep 4, 2023

Can I eat naan during weight loss? ›

Naan breads --made of refined flour--are to be avoided as they can promote weight gain. While filling up your plate, try to focus more on the veggies, preferably green vegetables instead of starchy veggies. Vegetables that are cooked in a cooker, instead of being deep-fried, are always a better option for weight loss.

What are the three worst drinks for blood sugar? ›

Avoid: Sugary Beverages

It's best to steer clear of soda, fruit punch, sports drinks, energy drinks and sweetened teas. These drinks contain added sugar and empty calories, which can spike your blood sugar and contribute to weight gain, according to the ADA.

Which bread is best for lowering cholesterol? ›

The best bread for those with high cholesterol is 100% whole grain bread. Bread made from whole grains is high in soluble fiber which is key to lowering cholesterol levels.

Is naan bread healthier than rice? ›

Since most naan breads contain fiber from whole wheat, they are a healthier grain choice than white rice, which is devoid of fiber. However, brown rice is a healthier grain choice than naan because it's fiber rich and contains less salt and fewer calories.

Is naan healthier than pizza crust? ›

Naan is lighter than a regular pizza base. So, when you load it up with delicious healthy toppings, you've got yourself an EPIC healthy weeknight dinner.

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