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Soft homemade naan bread cooked in a skillet and ready to be brushed with butter.
Summer Dempsey

Best Homemade Naan Bread

This soft homemade naan is fluffy, buttery, and cooked in a hot skillet for the perfect texture. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s an easy flatbread that pairs beautifully with curries, soups, or weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Resting time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Breads
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 190

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt full-fat best
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 –3½ cups all-purpose flour
For finishing
  • Melted butter or ghee
  • Optional: minced garlic flaky salt, chopped cilantro

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Skillet Pan

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add yogurt, oil, and salt. Stir to combine.
  3. Add flour 1 cup at a time until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
  4. Knead by hand or mixer for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not wet.
  5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled.
  6. Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll into balls, cover, and rest 10 minutes (this makes rolling easier).
  7. Roll each ball into an oval or circle about ⅛ inch thick- think thin! Don’t over-flour — naan likes a little stick.
  8. Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high until very hot. Place naan in dry skillet.
  9. Cook 1–2 minutes until bubbles form and the bottom is charred in spots
  10. Flip and cook another 30–60 seconds
  11. Immediately brush with melted butter or ghee.
  12. Stack naan in a clean towel to keep warm while you cook the rest.

Notes

  • Dough Texture:
    The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, but not sticky. If it feels wet, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Soft dough = soft naan.
  • Resting Matters:
    Letting the dough rest allows the gluten to relax, which makes the naan easier to roll and gives it that fluffy, pillowy texture once cooked.
  • Cooking Temperature:
    A hot skillet is key. You want the pan hot enough that the naan bubbles and chars lightly, but not so hot that it burns before cooking through.
  • Butter Finish:
    Brushing the naan with butter while it’s still warm helps keep it soft and adds classic flavor. You can also mix butter with garlic or herbs if desired.