Introduction

Naan is a soft and fluffy Indian flatbread that is usually served with rich curries, dal, paneer dishes, and chicken recipes. It has a light chewy texture, soft edges, and a slightly golden surface. This homemade naan recipe is made without a tandoor. You can cook it easily on a hot tawa or skillet. It is simple, beginner-friendly, and perfect for making restaurant-style naan at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, fluffy, and easy to make at home
No tandoor needed
Perfect with Indian curries and dal
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Beginner-friendly naan recipe
Great for lunch, dinner, or special meals

Ingredients

For the Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup plain curd or yogurt
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 cup warm milk, as needed
1 tablespoon water, if needed

For Cooking and Brushing

1 tablespoon oil or ghee, for cooking if needed
2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
1 teaspoon minced garlic, optional

How to Make

Add all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl.
Mix everything well with a spoon.
Add curd and oil to the flour mixture.
Start adding warm milk little by little and mix to form a soft dough.
Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and soft. The dough should not be too dry.
Apply a little oil on top of the dough. Cover the bowl and let it rest for 1 to 2 hours.
After resting, knead the dough lightly again.
Divide the dough into equal-sized balls.
Take one dough ball and roll it into an oval or round naan. Do not roll it too thin.
Heat a tawa or skillet on medium-high heat until it becomes hot.
Place the rolled naan on the hot tawa.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until small bubbles appear on top and the bottom gets light golden spots.
Flip and cook the other side until it gets golden brown spots.
Remove the naan from the tawa and brush with melted butter or ghee.
Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves on top. Add minced garlic with butter if making garlic naan.
Serve hot with your favorite curry, dal, or paneer dish.

Tips

Use warm milk, not hot milk, to make a soft dough.
Do not make the dough too tight. A soft dough gives softer naan.
Resting the dough is important for soft and fluffy naan.
Keep the tawa hot before placing the naan.
Do not roll the naan too thin, or it may become dry.
Brush the naan with butter or ghee immediately after cooking.
For garlic naan, mix minced garlic with melted butter and brush it on the hot naan.
Cook naan on medium-high heat for the best texture and golden spots.

Serving Suggestions

Serve naan hot with paneer butter masala, butter chicken, dal makhani, chana masala, palak paneer, egg curry, or any Indian curry.

You can also serve it with raita, pickle, or a simple onion salad for a complete Indian meal.

Storage

Naan tastes best when served fresh and hot.

You can store leftover naan in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours or in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

To reheat, warm it on a tawa for a few seconds on both sides. Brush with a little butter or ghee before serving.

FAQs

Can I make naan without a tandoor?

Yes, you can make naan on a hot tawa or skillet. It may not have the exact smoky tandoor flavor, but it still turns soft and delicious.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. The naan may be slightly denser but still tasty.

Why is my naan hard?

Naan can turn hard if the dough is too dry, not rested enough, or cooked for too long. Use a soft dough and cook it on a hot tawa.

Can I make garlic naan with this recipe?

Yes, mix minced garlic with melted butter or ghee and brush it over the hot naan. You can also add chopped coriander leaves.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough a few hours ahead and keep it covered. If storing longer, keep it in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before rolling.

You can also browse more easy Indian recipes in our Recipe Index.