Authentic Indian Naan Bread
Naan bread is a traditional Indian flatbread typically served alongside rich and flavorful curries. This Authentic Indian Naan Bread recipe captures the essence of Indian cuisine, offering a delightful, soft texture and a slight char that enhances its taste. Available in various styles such as plain, buttery, and garlic-infused, naan is irresistible, especially when served warm. While traditionally cooked in a tandoor, this recipe presents a convenient way to prepare it in a home oven, ensuring you can enjoy this staple at your dining table.
4
Servings
270
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
3 cups (Sifted)
Fresh yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons (Dissolved in warm water)
Water
3/4 cup (Warm)
Plain yogurt
2 tablespoons (None)
Egg
1 (Lightly beaten)
Salt
2 teaspoons (To taste)
Nigella seeds
1 teaspoon (Crushed (optional))
Oil
1 tablespoon (For kneading and brushing)
Instructions
1
Sift the flour into a mixing bowl to aerate and eliminate lumps.
2
In a separate bowl, combine the warm water, yogurt, beaten egg, yeast, crushed nigella seeds (if using), and salt; mix well to dissolve the yeast.
3
Gradually add the wet mixture to the sifted flour, stirring until a rough dough forms.
4
If the dough is too sticky, lightly oil your hands before kneading. Knead the dough in the bowl until it becomes soft and elastic.
5
Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for 15-20 minutes to allow it to rise.
6
After resting, punch down the dough and divide it into 8-10 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, dusting with a little flour to prevent sticking.
7
Let the dough balls rest for an additional 20 minutes, covered.
8
Preheat the oven to the broil setting, placing an oven-safe baking tray or stone on the top rack to get hot.
9
Roll each dough ball into an oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick, using a rolling pin.
10
Place 2 naans onto the hot baking tray, and broil for about 2 minutes on one side. Keep a close eye and check for desired browning.
11
Once browned, flip the naans carefully, and broil the other side for an additional 30-40 seconds until it gets a bit of char.
12
Remove the naans from the oven, and if desired, brush them with melted butter for added richness.
13
Keep the cooked naans warm by covering them with a clean towel while you prepare the remaining naans.
14
Serve the naan warm with your favorite Indian curries or dips.
Nutrition Information
3.75g
Fat
56.5g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Indian Naan Bread?
Naan bread is a traditional Indian flatbread typically served alongside rich and flavorful curries, known for its soft texture and slight char.
How many calories are in a serving of this naan?
Each serving of this naan bread contains approximately 270 calories.
Is this naan bread recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian.
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
This recipe uses 3 cups of sifted All-purpose flour.
Can I make naan at home without a tandoor?
Yes, this recipe provides a method to cook the naan in a home oven using the broil setting to mimic the effects of a tandoor.
How much fat is in one serving of this bread?
There is 3.75g of fat per serving.
What are the nutritional values for carbohydrates and protein?
Each serving contains 56.5g of carbohydrates and 7.5g of protein.
Why is yogurt used in the naan dough?
Plain yogurt is included in the wet mixture to help create a soft and elastic dough texture.
What kind of yeast does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh yeast dissolved in warm water.
What are nigella seeds and are they necessary?
Nigella seeds provide a traditional flavor; however, they are listed as optional in this recipe.
How long should the dough rest initially?
The dough should rest in a warm place for 15-20 minutes after the initial kneading.
How many individual naans does this recipe produce?
The dough should be divided into 8-10 equal portions to make 8-10 naans.
Is there a second resting period for the dough?
Yes, after dividing the dough into balls, they should rest for an additional 20 minutes while covered.
What oven setting is used for cooking the naan?
The oven should be set to broil with a baking tray or stone placed on the top rack.
How thick should I roll the naan dough?
Each dough ball should be rolled into an oval shape approximately 1/4 inch thick.
How long do you cook each side of the naan under the broiler?
Broil the first side for about 2 minutes, then flip and broil the other side for 30-40 seconds.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands?
If the dough is too sticky, you can lightly oil your hands before kneading.
What can I brush on the naan after it is cooked?
You can brush the warm naans with melted butter for added richness.
How do I keep the cooked naans warm?
Keep the cooked naans warm by covering them with a clean towel while you finish the rest of the batch.
What should I serve with this Indian bread?
It is best served warm with your favorite Indian curries or dips.
Does the recipe contain egg?
Yes, the recipe includes one lightly beaten egg in the wet mixture.
How much salt is used in the dough?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of salt.
Can I make different styles of naan with this base?
Yes, this recipe can be adapted to make plain, buttery, or garlic-infused styles.
What is the fiber content per serving?
There is 1.5g of fiber in each serving.
Is the water used for the yeast specific?
The water should be warm (3/4 cup) to properly dissolve and activate the yeast.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, sifting the flour helps to aerate it and eliminate any lumps for a smoother dough.
What shape is traditional for naan?
Naan is traditionally rolled into an oval shape.
Can this be eaten as a snack?
Yes, it is tagged as both a dinner item and a snack.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 primary ingredients in this authentic naan recipe.
What gives the naan its characteristic char?
The high heat of the oven's broil setting and the hot baking tray create the desired char and browning.