What’s better alongside a steaming bowl of curry than warm garlic naan? This Indian skillet flatbread is always a crowd pleaser: it’s soft, supple, warm and garlic-scented. There’s not much better to sop up savory broth! There are all sorts of creative ways to turn naan into dinner too: like naan pizza! It’s easy to find this famous bread at the store, but the very best way to eat it: homemade, right off the skillet. Here’s our very best naan recipe: it’s chewy, full of flavor, and quicker than most recipes. Here are all our secrets! Want it vegan? Go to Vegan Naan.
Why make this garlic naan?
With loads of naan bread recipes out there, why make this specific garlic naan? Here’s what makes it stand out from the rest:
It’s a fast naan recipe. Homemade bread takes time to rise, or proof. The proof time for most naan recipes is 1 to 2 hours. The proof time for this recipe? Just 30 minutes!The flavor and texture are incredible. This naan bread is perfectly soft and fluffy, just the right amount of salt and has the very best garlicky flavor. Really! You’ll have to try it for yourself.
Fastest way to make naan: with no yeast!
There are two basic ways to make a naan dough: with yeast and with baking powder. Most traditional Indian naan recipes use yeast as the leavener: it’s what makes the bread rise. Yeasted breads require longer proofing times. What’s proofing? Proofing is when you let bread dough rest after you’ve added yeast so that it rises. A yeasted naan recipe requires 1 to 2 hours of proofing time, depending on the recipe. Some more modern takes on naan bread use baking powder as the leavener instead of yeast (for example, the naan recipe in Indian chef Vivek Singh’s book Curry). Baking powder cuts down the proofing time to just 30 minutes. The texture is slightly more biscuit-y than bread-y, but to us this trade-off was absolutely worth it!
Use a cast iron skillet (if you have it!)
The best way to cook garlic naan? Use a cast iron skillet if you have it! Why? A cast iron skillet gets blazing hot. Just like pizza, you want to use as high heat as possible when cooking naan. It’s what makes the classic blackened marks on the dough. If you don’t have cast iron skillet: never fear! You can use any large skillet or griddle: the blackened marks will just be more subtle. Tip: Whatever skillet you use, heat it until it’s very hot before you add the first piece of dough. If you add the dough before its roaring hot, it won’t cook correctly.
Making naan is easiest with a buddy!
Alex and I have honed our expertise in homemade bread recipes over the past few years. Our sourdough bread is the most popular and has been made by people around the world. (See below for more of our favorite breads.) Here are a few tips we recommend for making this easy homemade naan bread:
Make sure you have time. This garlic naan recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish. The hands on portion is about 20 to 30 minutes. We’d recommend making this for entertaining or a dinner party, or an activity on a weekend afternoon or a day off. Find a buddy! You can make this recipe by yourself. BUT, it’s even more fun with a spouse, partner or friend. It’s nice to have one person roll out the naan and one person cook it. Plus, cooking together is always better!
Storage and reheating info!
After you’ve made this garlic naan, what’s the best way to store it? Here are some tips:
Room temp storage: Place fully cooled naan in an airtight plastic bag and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cooled naan gets a little tough, so you’ll want to reheat it (see below).Freezer storage: Wrap in foil, place in a bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven: Reheat refrigerated or frozen naan by wrapping in aluminum foil and baking in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes. Reheat in the toaster: For quick fix, reheat refrigerated naan in the toaster (you may need to cut it in half to get it to fit).
Recipes to eat with garlic naan
There are lots of ways to eat this garlic naan bread! It’s most natural with curry, but we have several naan pizza recipes as well. Here are our favorites in both categories:
Easy Chickpea Curry A favorite! The ultimate healthy and easy weeknight dinner. It’s plant based (WFPB) and done in 20 minutes.Vegetable Curry The best way to eat your veggies! Cauliflower, bell pepper and chickpeas swim in a flavor-packed broth.Quick Coconut Lentil Curry Lentils and greens transform into dinner in no time. Coconut Cauliflower Curry This easy curry is warm-spiced and features cauliflower, tomatoes, chickpeas and creamy coconut milk.Thai Curry Pizza with Naan Bread Make your naan into pizza! Top with curry paste-scented tomato sauce, cashews, and cilantro.“Get Your Greens” Naan Pizza This easy naan pizza features hummus, kale, brocolli, and a tahini miso drizzle.
This garlic naan recipe is…
Vegetarian. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the substitutions listed in the recipe.
More homemade bread recipes
If you love to make bread, we’ve got lots of resources for you! Here are our favorite bread recipes: 5 from 2 reviews
Best Sourdough Bread Easy to follow instructions, a printable checklist, and a step-by-step video help you master that tangy flavor, chewy crust, and perfect texture. (Or try the Vegan Bread version.)Easy Homemade Bread This homemade bread is easy to make and very versatile: it works for sandwiches, toast, and more.Artisan Dutch Oven Bread Here’s an easy Dutch oven bread with a crispy crust and tender inside.
