Easy Garlic Naan Bread (Printable Version)

Soft, fluffy garlic flatbread brushed with butter. Perfect with curries or grilled meats.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 package (0.25 oz) active dry yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 cup warm water (110°F)
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 4 tablespoons plain yogurt
07 - 2 tablespoons oil or ghee

→ Garlic Butter Topping

08 - 3 tablespoons minced garlic
09 - 2 tablespoons melted butter

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir well and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
02 - Add flour, salt, yogurt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured work surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
05 - Punch down the risen dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into an oval or teardrop shape approximately 1/4 inch thick.
06 - Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until properly preheated.
07 - Place one shaped naan in the hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden brown spots develop.
08 - Remove naan from skillet and immediately brush generously with the melted butter combined with minced garlic.
09 - Repeat cooking and topping process with remaining dough portions. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dough comes together in under 20 minutes of hands-on work, and the rise time is when you can actually relax instead of standing over the stove.
  • One cast iron skillet means minimal cleanup, and watching those gorgeous bubbles form on the bread is oddly meditative and satisfying.
  • The garlic butter finish is where the magic happens, transforming simple dough into something that tastes like it came from a proper Indian kitchen.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than timing for the rise, so find the warmest spot in your kitchen, whether that's near a sunny window or on top of your microwave.
  • Don't skip the yogurt because it genuinely transforms the texture from dense to pillowy, and it's the one ingredient that separates good naan from great naan.
03 -
  • If your dough is sticky, dust your hands with flour instead of adding more flour to the dough, because dough that's slightly tacky produces softer naan than overly dry dough.
  • Ghee makes a noticeable difference in flavor and richness compared to regular butter or oil, so seek it out if you can find it.
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