Easy Garlic Naan Bread Recipe

Introduction

Easy Garlic Naan Bread is a soft, flavorful flatbread perfect for scooping up curries or enjoying as a snack. This quick recipe uses simple ingredients to create a restaurant-quality naan at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Step 2: Add yogurt, oil, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a rough dough forms.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
5. Step 5: Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 to 8 equal parts. Roll each piece into an oval or teardrop shape.
6. Step 6: Heat a cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Step 7: Cook one naan at a time for 1–2 minutes per side until golden and puffed.
8. Step 8: While cooking the naan, melt the butter and stir in minced garlic to make garlic butter.
9. Step 9: Brush each cooked naan with garlic butter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
10. Step 10: Serve warm and enjoy with your favorite curries, dips, or grilled dishes.

Tips & Variations

• For extra softness, brush naan with a little yogurt before cooking.
• Try adding nigella seeds or sesame seeds on top before cooking for added texture and flavor.
• Use ghee instead of butter for a richer garlic flavor.

Storage

Store leftover naan in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the naan separated by parchment paper for up to 1 month. Reheat in a skillet or oven to refresh softness before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make naan without yogurt?

Yes, but yogurt adds softness and slight tanginess. If you don’t have yogurt, you can substitute with an equal amount of milk or buttermilk.

What if I don’t have instant yeast?

You can use active dry yeast but dissolve it in the warm water first and let it activate for about 10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients.

Easy Garlic Naan Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 67 reviews

Easy Garlic Naan Bread is a simple and delicious homemade Indian flatbread infused with garlic and fresh cilantro. Soft and fluffy, this naan pairs perfectly with curries, dips, and grilled dishes. Made with everyday ingredients like warm water, yogurt, and flour, it’s cooked on the stovetop in a skillet for that classic, slightly charred texture.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 naan breads 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Indian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)

Garlic Butter Topping

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: To the yeast mixture, add the Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, salt, and all-purpose flour. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Divide and Shape: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into 6–8 equal portions and roll each piece into an oval or teardrop shape.
6. Preheat Skillet: Heat a cast-iron or heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
7. Cook Naan: Place one rolled dough piece onto the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until the naan puffs up and develops golden brown spots.
8. Prepare Garlic Butter: While cooking the naan, melt the butter and stir in the finely minced garlic to infuse the flavor.
9. Brush and Garnish: Immediately brush the hot naan with the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top.
10. Serve: Serve the garlic naan warm alongside curries, dips, or grilled dishes for a delightful meal.

Notes

• Use Greek yogurt for a richer and softer naan texture.
• You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a slightly different flavor.
• If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a heavy non-stick pan works as well.
• Ensure your water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
• You can add nigella seeds or sesame seeds on top of the naan before cooking for extra flavor.
• Leftover naan can be stored in an airtight container and reheated on a skillet or in the oven.

Keywords: garlic naan bread, Indian flatbread, homemade naan, easy naan recipe, garlic butter naan