Naan Recipe (Without Yeast)

4.88 from 79 votes

Easy Naan recipe made without yeast on tawa (skillet/griddle) on the stovetop. This fool proof recipe makes for soft, chewy and delicious naan bread that you will like.

Prep Time2 20

Cook Time30

Total Time2 50

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Vegetarian

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Servings: Naan

Calories: 135kcal

Author: Dassana Amit

Ingredients

Wet ingredients

¼ cup Curd or yogurt - can use cashew or almond yogurt
1 teaspoon sugar or organic unrefined cane sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch baking soda

Dry ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
1 teaspoon salt or add as required
2 tablespoons oil - butter can also be added
¼ to ⅓ cup water or add as required

Additional ingredients

1 tablespoon onion seeds (kalonji) or melon seeds or sesame seeds
Butter or ghee or oil - as required for spreading on naan (optional)

Instructions

Making dough

In a mixing bowl take ¼ cup fresh curd or yogurt. For a vegan naan, use almond or cashew yogurt.
Add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 pinch baking soda.
Mix all the ingredients very well till the sugar dissolves.
Now add 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida), 1 teaspoon salt or add as required.
Mix again with a spoon so that the salt is evenly distributed in the flour.
Make a well in the center and add 2 tablespoons oil. Note that you can even add butter instead of oil.
Add ¼ to ⅓ cup water or add as required.
First mix and then begin to knead.
Knead to a smooth and soft dough. If the curd is thick, then you may need to add some more water. In case the dough looks dry, then add some more water and knead. If it becomes sticky, then sprinkle some flour and knead again. You should get a soft stretchy dough.
Flatten the dough and spread some oil all over the dough. Place in the same bowl.
Place a moist kitchen towel or napkin completely covering on the dough. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the dough leaven for 2 hours.

Rolling naan bread

Make medium-sized balls from the dough.
Flatten slightly and sprinkle some flour on the dough as well as on the rolling board.
Sprinkle some onion seeds or sesame seeds (black or white) or melon seeds on the rolled dough.
Roll into a 6 to 7 inches elongated circle.
Roll the top side to get a tapering edge. You can even gently pull the dough with your hands to get this pointed edge. The naan will have a tear-shaped form.

Making naan on stove-top

Heat a skillet or tawa or griddle and keep it on medium-high to high flame. Place the naan bread ready on the hot tawa or skillet or griddle.
Keep the flame to medium-high or high and begin to cook the naan bread.
Let one side get partly cooked. You will see some air pockets on the naan.
When you start seeing the air-pockets, then flip.
Now cook the second side on medium-high to high flame.
Again you will see air-pockets appearing on the second side.
Flip when you see many air-pockets on the naan and place naan directly on the stovetop flame.
Grill the first side on the flame till you see some charred spots and blisters.
Also, roast the edges.
Turn over and roast the second side too till you see some charred spots.
Place it on a plate or tray. Spread or brush with some softened butter or melted butter. You can even use ghee (clarified butter or oil for a vegan version. You can even skip using butter or oil entirely.

Making naan on a griddle (tawa) or skillet

Heat the griddle or skillet on a high flame. Place the naan on the hot griddle or tawa.
You will see some air pockets on the naan.
Flip the naan bread.
Cook the second side more than the first side. Please note that on a high flame they will get cooked faster.
Press the edges with a spatula so that they are also roasted and cooked properly.
Flip again.
You can flip again and press the edges for even cooking. Remove and spread some butter or oil. Serve hot. This way make naan with any of the methods. You can even stack cooked naans in a casserole box or roti basket and serve later.
Serve the naan bread hot or warm with your favorite curry dish - malai kofta or palak paneer or matar paneer or lentils like dal tadka or dal makhani or chole masala or rajma masala or dal bukhara.

Video

Notes

Make sure to knead the dough very well. It should be soft, smooth and flexible. Add water as needed while kneading the dough.
For the yogurt, use the one that is fresh and not very sour or tangy. You can also use 3 tablespoons greek yogurt in place of regular yogurt. With greek yogurt, you will need a bit more water if needed to make a soft and pliable dough.
The number of pieces will vary depending on the size and thickness of the naan. Approximately 8 to 9 medium sized naan can be made.
Alternatively, You can also cook the naan bread in a tandoor or bake them. Place the naan bread for baking on a greased hot tray or stone and bake in a preheated oven at your oven's highest temperature.
For a vegan naan, use plant based yogurt and a neutral oil for kneading dough as well as for roasting. For spreading on the naan bread, use vegan butter or a neutral oil.
This basic recipe of a no yeast naan can be flavored and spiced with some herbs and ground spices of your choice. You can add these ground spices or herbs in the dough. Or choose to mix them with the oil and melted butter. Then spread this herbs and spices infused butter or oil on the cooked naan.
The recipe can be doubled or tripled.
The dough can be frozen. In the freezer the naan dough stays good for 4 to 5 weeks. In the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition