Homemade Naan - freshly baked bread

Homemade Naan

Flatbreads

Soft, pillowy naan bread made on the stovetop — bubbly, charred, and brushed with garlic butter.

Prep Time

15 min

Proof Time

1h

Bake Time

15 min

Servings

8

Calories

195

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix

    Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add water and oil. Mix until a dough forms.

  2. 2

    Knead & Rest

    Knead 5 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest 30–60 minutes.

  3. 3

    Shape

    Divide into portions. Roll each into thin rounds on a floured surface.

  4. 4

    Cook

    Cook on a hot skillet or baking surface until puffed and charred in spots.

Baker's Notes

A screaming-hot cooking surface is the single most important factor in flatbread baking. Get your skillet or stone as hot as it will go.

Baker Thomas Moreau

About This Recipe

There's something deeply satisfying about tearing into a piece of naan straight off the stovetop — soft, pillowy, with those gorgeous charred bubbles along the edges. What makes this version special is the simple dough: a touch of olive oil keeps the crumb tender, while a screaming-hot skillet gives you the signature blistered surface that restaurants spend years perfecting.

Canadian home cooks have fallen hard for this recipe because it delivers restaurant-quality flatbread in just 90 minutes, most of which is hands-off proofing time. Whether you're scooping up a slow-cooked lamb curry or spreading garlic butter over a warm piece, homemade naan feels like a genuine treat.

Tips for the Best Homemade Naan

Get your skillet or griddle truly screaming hot before the first round hits the pan — that's the single biggest factor in getting proper puff. Once cooked, stack the naan under a kitchen towel so steam keeps them pliable. They taste their absolute best the same day, so plan accordingly.

What to Serve With It

Naan is the ultimate scoop for curries, dhal, and chana masala, but it also shines on its own. Spread it with labneh and za'atar, serve alongside hummus and roasted vegetables, or use it as a warm wrap for roast chicken and grilled salmon. A generous brush of garlic butter is always welcome.

Storage & Reheating

Naan really does taste best the same day it's made, but leftovers can be wrapped tightly in plastic and frozen for up to three months. Reheat straight from frozen in a hot skillet for about a minute per side to restore some of that fresh-baked texture.

Nutrition Facts

195

cal

8g

Protein

7g

Fat

40g

Carbs

1g

Fiber

271mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my naan puffing up?+

Your cooking surface probably isn't hot enough. The skillet needs to be screaming hot — that intense heat is what creates the characteristic air pockets and charred bubbles.

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?+

Absolutely. Just dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water first and let it sit for five minutes until foamy before mixing it into your flour.

What should I do with extra dough?+

Divide it into individual portions, wrap each tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cooking.

My dough isn't rising. What went wrong?+

Check that your yeast is fresh and your water was warm, not hot — anything above 110°F will kill it. Give the dough another 30 minutes in a warm spot before deciding.

Do I need a cast iron skillet for this?+

Nope. Cast iron holds heat beautifully, but any heavy skillet or griddle will work. The key is getting whatever surface you choose properly hot before cooking.

Tips & Tricks

  • A screaming-hot cooking surface is essential for the best results.
  • Stack cooked flatbreads under a towel to keep them warm and pliable.
  • Most flatbreads are best eaten the same day they're made.

Reviews (4)

David C.★★★★★

Bakery-quality bread at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The proofing tips really helped.

Lisa P.★★★★★

Made this for a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe. The bread was the star of the table — warm, crusty, and absolutely delicious.

Robert B.★★★★★

Five stars! The crust was perfectly crispy and the crumb was soft and airy. I'll never buy store-bought bread again.

Jennifer K.★★★★★

This is now our go-to bread recipe. The house smelled incredible while it was baking. My kids couldn't wait to tear into a warm slice.