Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (2024)

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This tasty, light and fluffy yeast-free easy naan bread recipe is ready in just 15 minutes with 4 ingredients! It's perfect with an Indian curry, or make it as a quick no yeast flatbread.

These naan are thick, tender, fluffy and so easy! You can easily make this recipe vegan and/or gluten-free.

Soooo many readers make this recipe again and again. I hope you love it too!

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (1)

Once you make this easy naan bread recipe, I'm sure you'll never want to buy pre-made ones again. I certainly haven't!

They're light, fluffy and so quick to make.

You only need 4 ingredients and 15 minutes for this homemade naan bread recipe from scratch. And no yeast!

I prefer to make my own simple naan bread rather than store bought.

It's cheaper and there are no unusual ingredients. Plus, my kids like to help roll them out.

It's a super quick yeast free bread that tastes delicious. Perfect as a naan with a curry, or as an easy flatbread.

Jump to:
  • reader testimonials
  • reader testimonials for gluten-free naan bread
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Serving suggestions
  • Ingredients
  • Tips
  • Storage tips
  • Variations
  • Special diets
  • Step by step tutorial
  • How to enjoy naan bread
  • Make easy garlic naan
  • Get the recipe
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Naan bread tips:
  • Flavor tips:
  • storage tips
  • Special diets
  • 💬 Comments

reader testimonials

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I made your naan breads last night. My friends ‘who are foodies’, were blown away. Thank you. As you said, I’ll never buy them again xx" - Sarah

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Love these vegan naan!! We’ve made them a couple times with soy yogurt as my son has a milk/dairy allergy. Have also made them into mini pizzas after frying. Delish recipe! Thanks!" - Darcy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Amazing! The whole family loved them. I spread some garlic butter over the top before serving. I will never buy naan bread again!" - Jan

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Love this recipe, a family favorite now along with the dahl recipe" - KP

reader testimonials for gluten-free naan bread

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I made the naan bread for my family and they love it. I also made a gluten-free batch as my daughter and myself are gluten intolerant. It worked brilliantly. Thank you for this brilliant recipe." - Lorinda

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I used gluten free flour. I’ve been missing naan since going gluten free. This is way better than store bought and so easy to make. And it freezes well too!" - Rachel

Why you'll love this recipe

Versatile - you can use them as general flatbreads, for kebabs or falafel, or my halloumi souvlaki.

This is a yeast free bread, so it's very quick and easy!

Get the pan very hot for best results - you want the naan breads to cook quickly.

Make them in a frying pan or griddle pan.

Rather than going for authenticity, this naan bread recipe focuses on making the naan fast. In just 15 mins!

Just mix the four ingredients together, knead a few times, then roll out the dough and dry fry for a few minutes.

You could try adding in some flavourings, such as crushed garlic and chopped coriander to make them extra special.

Or brush with melted butter or oil and sprinkle with chilli flakes.

Serving suggestions

This naan bread is perfect for mopping up your favourite curry.

I often make them alongside my favourite red lentil dahl.

These naan breads would be perfect with this healthy spinach and chickpea curry , Tofu Curry, Chickpea Curry, Bombay Aloo or even as a flatbread with my Spanish beans.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (2)

Ingredients

Ingredients you will need:

Flour - use plain flour, all-purpose or gluten free flour.

Plain Yogurt - use Greek or any plain or dairy-free yogurt. Just not one with any flavorings.

Baking Powder - this gives the naan bread air and fluffiness. You can leave it out if using self-raising flour.

Salt - optional, but gives a little extra flavor.

Tools you'll need:
Mixing Bowl
Rolling pin - don't have one? Try using the side of a wine bottle.
Frying pan - one that can withstand a fairly high heat. Cast iron works great, but any other skillet or frying pan will work.

Tips

You don't need to properly knead the dough, just bring it all together and knead a couple of times to do so.

Roll the dough out nice and thin. Trust me that they'll still get nice and fluffy when they cook.

To get the dough thin, be sure to flour the counter so they don't stick.

I usually roll out one naan while another is cooking. If you roll them all out first, then they could get warm and stick to the counter.

Get the pan very hot for best results - you want the naan breads to cook quickly

Make them in a frying pan or griddle pan.

You want a sticky, but manageable dough. If it's dry, add a little more yogurt, if it's too wet to roll, add a little flour. The amounts vary depending on brands and how thick the yogurt is.

Storage tips

You can make this naan dough up to 3 days ahead. Just keep in the fridge until ready to roll and cook. I like to make a double batch and keep it in the fridge so I can use the dough as flatbreads for lunch or dinner over the next few days.

If you've cooked extra naan, you can keep it in the fridge for the next day. Just reheat in a frying pan or in the toaster. It makes them crispier and still delicious.

Variations

Brush wet flavourings on the naan bread after, such as garlic-infused butter or herb/chilli oil

Add dry spices to the dough, such as cumin, garam masala, sumac etc...

Try brushed with oil and sprinkled with onion seeds.

Add chilli oil or oil and some dried chilli flakes for a bit of heat.

Special diets

Make gluten-free naan: swap to your favourite gluten-free flour and adjust the amount as it might absorb the yogurt differently.

Make vegan naan: It's really easy to make vegan naan, just swap to dairy free yogurt, such as soy yogurt.

Step by step tutorial

This naan recipe is sooo easy! Just follow these simple steps for perfect, fluffy, EASY naan.

Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (3)

1 - mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (4)

2 - Bring it all together into a dough

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (5)

3 - form into a ball of dough, then knead briefly

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (6)

4 - Divide the dough into small balls, then roll each one into rounds or naan shapes.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (7)

Tip: Roll it as thin as you can, but ensure that it doesn't stick by flouring the counter.

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5 -Get a frying pan really hot, then carefully place the dough into it. Cook for a few minutes until air bubbles appear.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (9)

6 - Flip and cook for a few minutes on the other side.

Tip: Don't overcook them and they'll be soft, fluffy and delicious!

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (10)

How to enjoy naan bread

Since these naan breads are so quick and tasty, you can use them for more than just alongside an Indian meal. They're fluffy and delicious yeast free flatbreads so have many uses:

These breads are perfect alongside a delicious curry - try my dahl recipe or Cauliflower Leaf Curry.

As a quick bread with dips (try my beet hummus)

As a flatbread filled with veggies.

It's great for packed lunches with cheese or other fillings.

Try it as an alternative to traditional bread in my vegan tuna mayo.

Serve it to dip into soup, like my quick kale soup, pea soup or tomato soup.

Make easy garlic naan

Just melt a little butter with some crushed garlic and brush it on after cooking.

You could also add a little finely chopped coriander/cilantro.

Get the recipe

Did you make this easy naan bread recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.

Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes and also easy vegan desserts.
Kate x

📖 Recipe

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (11)

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts

Once you make this easy naan bread recipe, I’m sure you’ll never want to buy pre-made ones again. Just mix the four ingredients and knead them for a few minutes to bring it together, then roll it out and pan fry. It's a yeast free bread that's light, fluffy and tasty!

4.85 from 344 votes

Save

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6

Calories 177 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (200g) all purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 1 cup (250g) plain yogurt (or dairy free vegan yogurt)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. You’ll probably need to use your hands to bring it all together. Knead it for a minute or so in the bowl until it comes together in a fairly sticky ball. If necessary, add a little more flour to make it manageable.

  • Divide it into six equal pieces. Using a rolling pin dusted with flour, roll each one out onto a floured surface to about 6” diameter.

  • Heat a frying pan (without oil) until hot. Cook each flatbread for a few minutes on each side until lightly golden spots appear and it puffs up.

  • Best eaten on the same day. If making ahead, warm them up in the oven before serving.

Video

Notes

To make the vegan naan, use dairy free yogurt. You may need to add a little more flour.

Naan bread tips:

  • You don't need to properly knead the dough, just bring it all together and knead a couple of times to do so.
  • Roll the dough out nice and thin. Trust me that they'll still get nice and fluffy when they cook.
  • To get the dough thin, be sure to flour the counter so they don't stick.
  • I usually roll out one naan while another is cooking. If you roll them all out first, then they could get warm and stick to the counter.
  • Get the pan very hot for best results - you want the naan breads to cook quickly
  • Make them in a frying pan or griddle pan

Flavor tips:

  • Enjoy on their own or brush wet flavourings on after, such as garlic-infused butter or herb/chilli oil
  • Add dry spices to the dough, such as cumin, garam masala, sumac etc...

storage tips

  • You can make this naan dough up to 3 days ahead. Just keep in the fridge until ready to roll and cook. I like to make a double batch and keep it in the fridge so I can use the dough as flatbreads for lunch or dinner over the next few days.
  • If you've cooked extra naan, you can keep it in the fridge for the next day. Just reheat in a frying pan or in the toaster. It makes them crispier and still delicious.

Special diets

  • Make gluten-free naan: swap to your favourite gluten-free flour and adjust the amount as it might absorb the yogurt differently.
  • Make vegan naan: It's really easy to make vegan naan, just swap to dairy free yogurt, such as soy yogurt.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 8gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 113mgPotassium: 238mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 110mgIron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (2024)

FAQs

Why does naan need yeast? ›

Raising agent. Though they're flatbreads, naans traditionally get their bubbly texture from yeast (and, very traditionally, from wild yeasts).

What is a substitute for baking powder in naan? ›

Because this naan recipe doesn't use yeast, you need a little baking powder to encourage your naan to be pillow-like puffy. But, if you don't have baking powder, you can substitute with baking soda.

Do Indian restaurants use yeast in naan? ›

About Naan

In the modern days, yeast & other leavening agents have replaced the bread starter. So most restaurants either use yeast or another leavening agent like baking powder & baking soda. If you order naan in Indian restaurants you may not find the texture & flavor to be the same in every place.

What is the healthiest naan bread? ›

Opt for whole wheat naan if you're looking to maximize your health benefits, and try to serve it alongside other nutritious foods.

Is yeast or baking powder better for naan? ›

I also found the baking soda doughs burned more easily. The baking powder-yeast dough compared to the yeast-only dough were nearly identical — similar air bubbles in the pan, similar dough texture, similar flavor — so, in the end, I stuck with yeast alone as a leaven.

What happens if you don't use baking powder? ›

Simply, without these leaveners, many cookies would fall flat and cake layers would be dense and stodgy. But baking powder and soda are not interchangeable, and if you're out of one, the other won't act as a direct substitute (though it can be part of the solution—more on that below).

Does traditional naan have yeast? ›

Naan is essentially a leavened flatbread, which means it contains some form of raising agent to provide its airy texture. Hence for this naan, the raising agent we will be using is yeast. Other variations do exist which may utilise self raising flour or baking powder/baking soda.

What if I don't have baking powder? ›

To replace 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder, use 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) lemon juice. Summary: Replace 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder with 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda.

Why use yogurt in naan bread? ›

Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt holds the naan dough together and ensures a tender texture. Make sure you get authentic Greek yogurt and not Greek-style yogurt.

Do restaurants use egg in naan? ›

In many traditional recipes, naan bread does not contain eggs. However, there are variations of naan where eggs might be added to the dough. Whether eggs are added to naan largely depends on the specific recipe used by the restaurant and regional preferences.

What bread is yeast free? ›

It's called Irish Soda Bread because it's made with baking soda instead of yeast. Because of this, it's more dense than your everyday white sandwich bread. Hearty and rustic are the words that come to mind, and it tastes kind of nutty from the wholemeal flour.

Is it OK to eat naan everyday? ›

Naan bread can be part of a healthy diet, especially if you choose whole grain varieties. Naan bread contains vitamins and minerals like niacin, fiber, and iron, as well as fiber. It also is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy.

Is naan bread good for type 2 diabetes? ›

For individuals with diabetes, managing carbohydrate intake is important for controlling blood sugar levels. Both white bread and naan are high-carbohydrate foods that can affect blood glucose levels, and thus, their consumption should be moderated or avoided, especially for those with diabetes.

Which Indian bread is healthiest? ›

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha).

Is naan made from yeast? ›

For the leavening of naan dough, yeast is used or a mixture of curd+baking powder is used. This recipe includes baking powder and curd for the leavening. Naan is such a delish bread that it makes you forget about all-purpose flour.

Why is my naan dough not rising? ›

Add more yeast, blend in the starter, or knead in more flour to help initiate rising. Dough that has expired yeast, too much salt, all-purpose or cake flour, or antifungal spices like cinnamon might have trouble rising.

Why does bread rise without yeast? ›

Baking Soda

It helps breads rise and gives them their light and airy texture. Unlike yeast, baking soda needs an acid to activate it. By adding an acid to baking soda (such as lemon juice or cream of tartar) a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide and fills your bread with air — much like yeast does.

Does naan have a leavening agent? ›

Primarily composed of white or wheat flour combined with a leavening agent, typically yeast, naan dough develops air pockets that contribute to its fluffy and soft texture.

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