Homemade Garlic Naan Bread (Printable Format)

Fluffy Indian flatbread enriched with garlic butter, ready in 30 minutes for versatile serving.

# What's Needed:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 8.8 oz)
02 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup warm water (120 ml)
06 - 1/4 cup plain yogurt (approx. 2.1 oz)
07 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Garlic Butter

08 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
02 - Add warm water, yogurt, and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
05 - While dough rests, combine melted butter and minced garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
06 - Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval about 1/4 inch thick.
07 - Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot.
08 - Place one naan in the skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until bubbles appear. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until golden spots form.
09 - Brush the hot naan immediately with garlic butter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if desired.
10 - Repeat cooking and brushing with remaining dough portions. Serve naans warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes total, which means fresh naan whenever a curry craving strikes.
  • The dough is forgiving—even slight mistakes turn into puffed, delicious bread.
  • Garlic butter elevates it from simple to show-stopping without any real effort.
02 -
  • The yogurt is not optional—it's what makes naan actually soft and tender instead of dense like flatbread made with just water.
  • Brush the garlic butter on while the bread is still hot; cold garlic butter just sits on top instead of being absorbed into the bread.
03 -
  • If you want extra flavor without complication, add nigella seeds or sesame seeds right before cooking—they toast in the pan and add a toasty, nutty note.
  • A cast-iron skillet holds heat more evenly than stainless steel, making it easier to get consistent results every time you cook.
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