Garlic Naan

This homemade garlic naan recipe is cooked in a hot cast iron skillet rather than a tandoor oven, like restaurant naan. When cooked at the proper temperature, naan develops blistered bubbles with a lovely golden-black char. Reward yourself for a job well done by sopping the bread in copious amounts of curry.

Prep Time:35 minsCook Time:15 minsAdditional Time:2 hrs 30 minsTotal Time:3 hrs 20 minsServings:6Yield:6 naanJump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

• ½ cup warm water, or more as needed
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups bread flour, or more as needed
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro (Optional)

Directions

1. Combine water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and forms a creamy foam, about 15 minutes.
2. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat until melted and sizzling. Quickly mix in garlic and remove from the heat.
3. Add bread flour, yogurt, salt, and 1 tablespoon garlic butter to yeast mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Knead by hand until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, adding more water or flour as needed. Turn dough out onto the counter and continue kneading until it forms a smooth ball, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Place dough into a large bowl and drizzle a few spoons garlic butter over top. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
5. Punch dough down and turn out onto the counter. Shape into a rough rectangle and cut into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and lightly dust with flour. Cover with plastic wrap and proof until slightly puffy, 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat until very hot, 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, roll each piece proofed dough into a 1/8-inch-thick oval. Sprinkle some cilantro on top and press lightly to adhere.
8. Working in batches, cook naan in the hot skillet until large bubbles form, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip, press gently, and continue to cook until bubbles on the bottom are charred, 2 to 3 minutes more.
9. Brush naan with more garlic butter before serving.

Chef’s Notes:

You can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour, and you can replace kosher salt with 1/2 teaspoon fine salt if desired.

Try pairing the naan with my recipe for Creamy Cashew Chicken.