The funny thing is many people call it naan bread. Naan in urdu/hindi means bread so when we say naan bread it translates to bread bread. Naan is a must have for curries. A good curry is incomplete without a naan! Traditionally naan is made using yeast and flour. It is then left in a warm place to rise. I’m going to share this simple naan ( Flat Bread) recipe which doesn’t include yeast and is almost an instant recipe.
Jump to RecipeINGRIDIENTS FOR NAAN (FLAT BREAD)
All you need for this Easy Naan (Flat Bread) recipe is Flour. Traditionally naans are made from white flour. You can use self raising flour or plain flour too. If plain flour is used then baking powder is required. I used 2 cups of wholemeal flour and 1 cup plain flour. It can be completely made from white flour but i find it chewy and doughy. The wholemeal flour keeps the naan soft.
The dough can be kneaded either by hand or in a stand mixer. The key is to add the water gradually. Keep mixing and once the flour absorbs the water add little more until it forms a dough. Its very is important to rest the dough in the fridge. Fresh dough is very hard to work with, its sticky and the naan/roti breaks apart.
Once the dough is rested, divide it into 6 parts. Roll it with rolling pin, but make sure its not too thin. Make indents using back of spoon. This ensures that naan doesn’t fluffs up.
I use cast iron pan to cook it on one side and then transfer it to the oven to get cooked on the top. This helps to achieve golden brown colour while cooking the naan thoroughly inside. Make sure you preheat the oven at highest temperature, the oven needs to be hot. Turn the grill on and put the tray directly under it.
Can Naans (Flat Bread) be Made ahead or Frozen ?
Naans can be made ahead. You can either make the dough and keep in the fridge for around 2 days. Or you can cook the naans and freeze them. They can be thawed and heated in a non stick pan with little oil to make them fresh again.
Variations:
Garlic naan – simply add minced garlic and chopped coriander to melted butter. Brush it on to freshly cooked naan.
Sesame seeds – My personal favourite, it just adds this nuttiness to naan. Just after you have rolled the naan, pat a wet hand on it and sprinkle sesame seeds, press them so they don’t fall off.
Nigella seeds – its another good option, follow they same method as for sesame seeds. You can also mix sesame and nigella seeds.
Cheese naan – a bit tricky but doable. roll two naans. Sprinkle cheese( preferably Mozzarella) on one of them cover it with second naan. And slightly roll it.
TRY THESE CURRIES TO GO WITH NAAN(FLAT BREAD)
Butter Chicken – Murgh Makhani
Aloo Gosht ( Meat Gravy with Potatoes)
Easy Naan (Flat Bread)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain flour
- 2 cups Wholemeal flour See notes
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
- Water as required
Instructions
- Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Gradually add water while mixing it.
- Knead the dough for few minutes and rest it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. It will be a bit sticky at this stage but will get smooth and easy to handle once rested.
- Preheat oven to highest temp and turn the grill on. Make sure the tray to be used is on the nearest level to grill.
- Divide the dough into 6 parts.
- Sprinkle some dry flour and roll it with rolling pin.
- Make indents with back of the spoon.
- Heat a pan (cast iron or non stick). Put the flat bread on it and keep the flame medium low. Cook until its done one one side.
- Transfer it to the oven. The tray should be directly under the grill.
- Once it gets brown colour on top, take it out.
- Brush it with butter.
Notes
- Use atta flour which is very fine wholemeal flour. If unavailable you can use any wholemeal flour which is fine and doesn’t have grainy texture. You can also make these naans with plain flour as well.
