Soft garlic naan made with yogurt, fresh garlic, and pantry staples. This easy homemade naan is cooked in a skillet and brushed with garlic butter for a restaurant-style finish. Perfect side for Indian curry, butter chicken, lentil dal, or tikka masala. Make fluffy naan at home with no tandoor required.

Soft, fluffy, and brushed with rich garlic butter, this homemade garlic naan is the perfect companion to your favorite curry or stew. Simple ingredients and a stovetop method make this recipe easy to follow and incredibly delicious.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

For the Dough

2 tsp (7 g) instant yeast
120 ml (½ cup) warm water
300 g (2½ cups) strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp (5 g) sugar (caster or superfine)
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp (5 g) salt
150 ml (½ cup + 2 tbsp) natural yogurt
30 g (2 tbsp) melted unsalted butter

For Rolling/Shaping

3–4 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

Garlic Butter

75 g (5 tbsp) melted unsalted butter
1 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tsp dried parsley or 4 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, stir the yeast into the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
Make the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, yeast-water mixture, yogurt, and melted butter. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. It will appear dry initially but will become sticky and elastic.
Knead and Rise
Continue kneading for 10 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Naan
Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a teardrop shape about 18 cm (7 inches) long and 12 cm (4.7 inches) wide.
Cook the Naan
Preheat your oven to its lowest setting (to keep cooked naan warm). Heat a large skillet (non-stick or cast iron) over high heat. Once very hot, cook one naan at a time for about 3 minutes, until it puffs up. Flip and cook the other side for 2–3 more minutes until golden brown with darker spots. Repeat with remaining dough.
Make the Garlic Butter
While cooking the naan, mix melted butter with salt, minced garlic, and parsley in a small bowl.
Brush and Keep Warm
As each naan finishes cooking, place it on a baking tray, brush generously with garlic butter, and cover with foil. Stack each cooked naan on top of the previous one, brushing each with garlic butter and keeping them covered in the oven to stay warm.

Tips

For the best texture, use strong white bread flour, which gives a chewier result than plain flour.
Let the dough rest long enough to fully rise—it makes a big difference in the softness.
If using active dry yeast instead of instant, allow it to activate in warm water with the sugar for 10 minutes before using.

Variations and Substitutions

Plain naan: Skip the garlic butter for a simple version.
Cheese naan: Add shredded mozzarella between two rolled-out pieces and seal the edges before cooking.
Herb naan: Add chopped fresh coriander or chives to the dough for extra flavor.
Vegan version: Use plant-based yogurt and vegan butter.

FAQs

Can I make naan without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand for about 12–15 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Can I freeze naan?
Absolutely. Let the cooked naan cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a hot pan or oven.

Why didn’t my naan puff up?
The pan may not have been hot enough. Make sure it’s thoroughly preheated on high heat before adding the dough.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with butter chicken, dal, paneer tikka masala, or lamb curry.
Use as a flatbread for wraps, topped with grilled meats and salad.
Perfect alongside soups or stews to mop up sauces.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This garlic naan recipe is:

Incredibly soft and fluffy
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Cooked in a pan, no tandoor needed
Versatile, perfect for any Indian-inspired meal
Loaded with rich garlic butter flavor