Soft Garlic Naan

Yogurt dough, blistered in a screaming hot pan, brushed with garlic butter.

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time1 hr 35 mins
Yield8 naan
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Before You Start

You don't need a tandoor. A cast iron pan on the highest heat your hob will give gets you the same charred bubbles in about 90 seconds a side. Yogurt in the dough is what keeps naan soft and slightly tangy rather than crisp like a flatbread.

Instructions

0 of 6 done

  1. Stir the yeast and sugar into the warm milk and leave it 5 minutes until it looks foamy. If nothing happens, the yeast is dead and it's worth starting again.

  2. Mix in the yogurt, then the flour and salt. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and soft. It should be slightly tacky, not dry.

  3. Cover and leave somewhere warm for about an hour, until roughly doubled.

  4. Divide into 8, roll each into an oval about 5 mm thick, and keep them covered so they don't skin over.

  5. Get a heavy dry pan very hot. Lay one naan in, cook 60 to 90 seconds until big bubbles rise, then flip and cook another minute until charred in patches.

  6. Stir the crushed garlic into the melted butter and brush each hot naan generously. Scatter over coriander and seeds and stack them under a tea towel to stay soft.

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💡 Baker's tips

  • Brush the raw side with a little water before it goes in the pan. The steam helps it puff into proper pockets.
  • Stacking them under a towel isn't optional. Left in the open air they go leathery within minutes.

🔀 Make it your own

  • Stuff them with mashed spiced potato or grated cheese before rolling for peshwari or cheese naan.
  • No yeast? Swap in 2 teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon baking soda and skip the rise entirely.

📦 Storing & freezing

Best straight from the pan. Wrap leftovers and keep for 2 days, then reheat in a dry pan for 30 seconds a side. They freeze well, layered with paper.

❓ Frequently asked

How many grams is a cup of yogurt?

About 245 g per US cup, so the ¾ cup here is roughly 184 g. Thick Greek yogurt works, but slacken it with a spoon of milk.

Can I bake naan in the oven instead?

Yes, on a preheated tray or stone at the highest setting for 4 to 5 minutes. You'll get less char, so finish it under the grill for 30 seconds.

Baking in a different unit? Use the cups ↔ grams converter or the recipe scaler to halve or double this recipe.

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