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This butter naan recipe is a classic Indian flatbread that you can make in your kitchen. Piping hot out of the pan, this soft and pillowy bread is a perfect side to any entree. Making this is easy thanks to the food processor – mix, rest, roll and pan fry.
Naan is a traditional flatbread in Asia, most notably India where it is baked in a special oven called a tandoor. When the dough is ready to bake, it is slapped onto the inside wall of the tandoor where the heat from the side cooks it on one side and the open fire below chars the other side.
Today we are making butter naan in a cast iron pan where the dough will bubble up and transform into a thick, pillowy flatbread.
The word naan is derived from the Persian word ‘nan’ which means bread. In India, naan refers to any thick, leavened flatbread. It is usually leavened with active dry yeast or from a yeast starter, leftover dough from a previous batch. I leavened with active dry yeast with a smidge of baking powder and baking soda to increase success.
Butter is slathered on during cooking which helps give naan a rich golden color as well as a buttery flavor. The butter along with the plain yogurt imparts a distinctive flavor which naan is known for.
How to make butter naan recipe step-by-step
- In a small bowl add 2 cups of warm water, 2 tsp sugar and 1 packet of active dried yeast or 2 1/2 tsp. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a food processor add 3 cups of all purpose flour (385g), 2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda. Pulse a few times to mix well.
- Add yeast water, egg and yogurt and mix until dough comes apart from the sides. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until it does.
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly in order to form a smooth ball. Dough should be soft, smooth and not sticky. If it’s sticky, sprinkle with more flour and knead until it becomes smooth. Rub oil on all sides, cover with plastic or a damp kitchen towel. Rest 1-3 hours. The longer, the better. Your dough will be easier to roll out after the gluten has a chance to relax.
- Divide into 8 pieces. Roll out each piece and sprinkle with flour, set aside under a damp kitchen towel or plastic. If the dough is hard to roll out, let it rest another 15 minutes to give the gluten a chance to relax.
- Heat lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, preferably cast iron but any skillet will work. Butter one side of naan dough with melted butter and place butter-side down. While the dough is cooking, butter the other side. After a minute or two when the bread is golden brown, flip the dough. The bread will puff up and turn golden brown.
I serve butter naan with my Gyro recipe, Chicken Karahi, Butter Chicken and Kashmiri Curry.
For another Indian flatbread, enjoy Sweet Potato Parathas.
Mana’eesh is a middle eastern flatbread similar to naan. It is sprinkled with an herb mixture called Za’atar.
Curious about what is in an Indian cook’s pantry? I made a free printable just for you. If you are just diving into Indian cooking, this Indian pantry list will be helpful to you. You probably already have some of these ingredients. Pro-tip, spices and sometimes vegetables, in an Indian market are much cheaper than at the supermarket.
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Easy Butter Naan Recipe | An Indian Flatbread
This butter naan recipe is a classic Indian flatbread that you can make in your kitchen. Piping hot out of the pan, this soft and pillowy bread is a perfect side to any entree. Making this is easy thanks to the food processor - mix, rest, roll and pan fry.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 packet of active dry yeast or 2 1/2 tsp
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour (384g)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (may substitute regular plain yogurt, dough may be a little stickier so add some more flour if that's the case)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 stick of melted butter (4 tbs)
Instructions
- In a small bowl add 1/2 cup of warm water, 2 tsp sugar and 1 packet of active dried yeast or 2 1/2 tsp. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a food processor add 3 cups of all purpose flour (385g), 2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda. Pulse a few times to mix well.
- Add yeast water, egg and yogurt and mix until dough comes apart from the sides. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until it does.
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly in order to form a smooth ball. Dough should be soft, smooth and not sticky. If it's sticky, sprinkle with more flour and knead until it becomes smooth. Rub oil on all sides, cover with plastic or a damp kitchen towel. Rest 1-3 hours. The longer, the better. Your dough will be easier to roll out after the gluten has a chance to relax.
- Divide into 8 pieces. Roll out each piece and sprinkle with flour, set aside under a damp kitchen towel or plastic. If the dough is hard to roll out, let it rest another 15 minutes to give the gluten a chance to relax.
- Preheat lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, preferably cast iron but any skillet will work. Butter one side of naan dough with melted butter and place butter-side down. While the dough is cooking, butter the other side. After a minute or two when the bread is golden brown, flip the dough. The bread will puff up and turn golden brown.
Notes
- This butter naan flatbread is perfect as a side to any entree.
- Make a wrap out of this. It's perfect with gyros.
- Slather with tomato sauce and your favorite pizza topping, bake up for a naan bread pizza.
- Cover your favorite melting cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, gruyere, fontina for an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.
- Or just dip in melted butter straight up!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 flatbreadAmount Per Serving: Calories: 247Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 713mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g
Hannah
Monday 2nd of December 2019
The buttered naan melted in my mouth. It was a hit for dinner and so easy to make.
Tina
Tuesday 3rd of December 2019
It takes time but it is so easy. I've made this several times already. It's a keeper.
Debra
Tuesday 22nd of October 2019
Moved this one up to "next" on my menu rotation. What's not to like? Homemade naan...and so much easier than I thought. Was planning on spiced chickpea stew for dinner tomorrow and this is going to be awesome with it. My family will be so excited, since I never attempt something like this.
Tina
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
I'm so glad, have a great evening with the fam!
Trish Bozeman
Monday 21st of October 2019
I worked as a waitress at an Indian restaurant in high school and was always mesmerized by the tandoori oven and the way the naan cooks on the side. So cool! But, this version in on the stove top is much more approachable for a home cook, LOL! Love your idea of making naan pizza!
Tina
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
Naan is so versatile, pizza it one of my faves! Enjoy Trish:)
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
Monday 21st of October 2019
Wow! My husband and I love Naan, but I've honestly never thought to make it at home. I appreciate your detailed instructions, because this looks like a totally do-able recipe and I'm really excited to try it. By the way, your photographs are making me hungry - those are perfect flatbreads.
Jenni LeBaron
Sunday 20th of October 2019
This butter naan recipe looks delicious and super easy! We love using naan as a vessel for dips and also as a flatbread for easy weeknight pizzas. Can't wait to try your version of this delicious bread!
Tina
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
Hey Jenni, me too! It's like a fluffy, chewy mop for curries and also to bake with toppings, pizza style. Glad to meet another naan fan!