You can make soft, fluffy, buttery naan bread at home without a tandoor. This simple recipe uses a skillet to achieve restaurant-quality results perfect for serving with your favorite curries.
Author:michaelcarter
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:1 hour 35 min
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:Indian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup warm water (about 105-115°F)
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plain yogurt or milk
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
Mix the dough: Pour the yeast mixture, yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape the naan: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an oval or teardrop shape, about 1/8 inch thick.
Prepare garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Cook the naan: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Do not add oil to the pan.
Cook on the skillet: Place one piece of rolled dough onto the hot, dry skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the bottom has brown spots.
Flip and finish: Flip the naan and cook the other side for about 1 minute until lightly charred spots appear.
Brush with butter: Immediately transfer the cooked naan to a plate and brush generously with the garlic butter mixture. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
Notes
For extra soft naan, cover the cooked bread with a clean kitchen towel while you cook the remaining pieces.
If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, let the minced garlic steep in the melted butter for 10 minutes before brushing.
You can bake these instead of using a skillet: place them on a preheated baking sheet at 450°F (232°C) for 5-7 minutes.