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+ servings
Freshly baked Indian naan flatbread.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe

April Freeman
The soft, distinctive texture of naan is due to the addition of full-fat dairy products to the dough. Some recipes use buttermilk, but our recipe uses Greek yogurt. Either will work to create the perfect texture for your recipe.
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 Servings

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Electric Mixer
  • Sharp knife
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour or bread flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Dry Yeast
  • 3/4 cup Plain Yogurt or buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp Melted Butter
  • 1-4 tbsp Warm Water
  • Oil for Greasing the Pan

Instructions
 

  • Combine Ingredients in a Bowl. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and yeast, stirring to blend them.
    Combined dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Add the yogurt or buttermilk and melted butter, stirring with a large wooden spoon.
  • At this point, if you have an electric stand mixer with a dough hook, you can place the mixing bowl on the stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
  • Turn on the mixer for two or three minutes.
  • Add the water a tablespoon at a time, just until the dough starts to stick together in a ball.
  • You don’t want the dough to be too sticky or too dry, so go slowly. The dough should ball up and “clean” the sides of the bowl.
  • Knead the dough using the electric mixer or by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes.
  • When the dough has been kneaded adequately, the ball should be smooth and elastic with a somewhat shiny texture. 
  • Drizzle a bit of oil into the bowl and turn the dough ball so it is well coated on all sides.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot to rise for about 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours.
  • When the dough is about double the size that you started with, remove the plastic wrap and lightly dust a clean kitchen counter or table with flour.
  • Take the dough out of the bowl and sprinkle the top lightly with flour.
  • Using your hands or a rolling pin, shape the dough into a long, narrow rectangle.
    The dough shaped into a long cylinder.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into six pieces.
    The dough is then cut up into six portions with a knife.
  • Heat a heavy non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium-hot heat on your stove.
  • Add a tablespoon of olive oil and allow it to heat, tilting the pan to coat its surface evenly with oil.
  • When the pan is hot, take each piece of dough and press it into an oblong or circle about 1/8 of an inch thick.
  • Sprinkle the dough with a bit of poppy seeds if you like, or you can sprinkle it with a bit of coarse kosher salt. If you don’t want to use either, it will still be delicious.
  • Place the dough round into the hot skillet and cook it until it is bubbly and slightly puffy.
  • Using a spatula, flip the bread to cook the backside. The bread should be browned and crispy on the cooked sides.
    The dough is flipped after browning.
  • When both sides are cooked, remove the bread to a plate and brush with melted butter.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
    A stack of freshly cooked naan flatbread.

Notes

While kneading bread dough is a very satisfying, relaxing process, if you have an electric stand mixer with a dough hook, creating naan can be quick and simple. Whether you make your bread by hand or with a mixer, you can still have delicious, perfectly textured naan at the end of an afternoon.
Naan is a perfect accompaniment to authentic Indian meals, but it’s okay to change things up in your own kitchen. You can serve naan with a delicious soup or a hearty stew, or you could use it as a wrap for a tasty lunchtime treat. If six naan loaves are too much for you to eat at once, naan freezes very well. Allow it to cool to room temperature, and then freeze in zip-top freezer bags for up to a month. This way, you’ll have the taste of fresh naan all month long!
Keyword Bread, Naan Bread, Recipe, Side Dish

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