Description
Homemade Naan Bread captures the soul of Indian cuisine with its pillowy texture and rich, buttery flavor. Warm, freshly baked flatbread beckons you to savor authentic culinary comfort straight from traditional kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.53 cups flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Leavening and Sweetening Agents:
- 2 teaspoons dry active yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by mixing it with sugar and warm water in a small vessel. Allow the mixture to bloom until a frothy layer forms on top, indicating the yeast is alive and active.
- Incorporate oil, yogurt, and egg into the frothy yeast mixture, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, homogeneous liquid base.
- Combine one cup of flour with salt in a separate mixing bowl, creating a dry ingredient foundation for the dough.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, stirring consistently until a cohesive batter forms. Incrementally add more flour, half a cup at a time, until the mixture becomes too dense to stir with a utensil.
- Transfer the nascent dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. Knead the dough for approximately three minutes, carefully introducing small amounts of flour to prevent excessive stickiness.
- Continue kneading until the dough achieves a silky, pliable texture that is soft yet maintains structural integrity. The final dough should feel smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough loosely and allow it to rest and expand, approximately one hour, until its volume doubles.
- Gently deflate the risen dough and divide it into eight uniform segments. Shape each portion into a compact, round ball.
- Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat to ensure consistent cooking temperature.
- Roll each dough ball into a thin disc, approximately 1/4 inch thick and 6 inches in diameter.
- Carefully place the rolled dough onto the hot skillet. Cook until the bottom develops a golden-brown color and prominent bubbles emerge on the surface.
- Flip the naan and cook the opposite side until it achieves a similar golden-brown appearance.
- Transfer each completed naan to a plate, covering with a towel to retain warmth and softness.
- Serve the naan bread plain or enhance with a brushing of melted butter and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for added flavor complexity.
Notes
- Activate yeast perfectly by ensuring water temperature is between 100-110°F, which creates the ideal environment for fermentation without killing the yeast.
- Knead dough gently and avoid over-flouring to maintain soft, pillowy texture that’s characteristic of authentic naan bread.
- Customize your naan by adding minced garlic, chopped herbs like cilantro, or sprinkle of nigella seeds directly into the dough for enhanced flavor profiles.
- Consider using alternative flours like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary adaptations, though this might slightly change the traditional texture and rise.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding 1-2 hours for rising)
- Cook Time: 3 minutes (per naan)
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 123 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg