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.

Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free) (8)

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 343 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? ›

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.

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.

Does traditional naan contain yeast? ›

Though they're flatbreads, naans traditionally get their bubbly texture from yeast (and, very traditionally, from wild yeasts). Some more modern variations, such as that in Vivek Singh's Curry, use baking powder instead, with Jaffrey also adding extra bicarbonate of soda.

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.

Why is naan unhealthy? ›

Skip: Naan

And like those fluffy spuds, this soft flatbread has little nutritional value. Most naan recipes call for Greek yogurt to give it that airy texture. But that's more than offset by less healthy ingredients like white flour, sugar, and oil.

What bread has no yeast? ›

Soda Bread

This sturdy breakfast bread comes together and relies on baking soda as a leavener. You can swap out the walnuts and dried currants with any chopped nuts, seeds and dried fruit you have in your pantry.

Why use yogurt in naan bread? ›

The yogurt also adds some fat. The fat keeps the dough nice and soft and prevents the naan from hardening too much during the cooking process. Another great thing about this recipe is to refrigerate the dough overnight after letting it rise.

What is the difference between Afghan naan and Indian naan? ›

Afghan naan is different in shape, texture, and taste from Indian varieties. While the main ingredient – wheat flour – is the same, Afghan bakers hand-shape the dough, rather than rolling it out, and their use of a tandoor results in large, pillowy rounds.

Which is the healthiest Indian bread? ›

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). If you're new to this kind of food, I insist you to try all varieties of Indian breads.

Why is my naan not fluffy? ›

If you don't see the dough puffing up, you should turn up the heat under the griddle. Take the naan with thongs and turn on an adjacent gas burner. Flip the naan on top of this gas burner and leave until it's nicely charred.

What makes naan bread so good? ›

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

Can I let my naan dough rise overnight? ›

Then after the dough has doubled in size, put the bowl with the dough it in the fridge overnight (I've done 24 hours). Do not punch dough down or touch it – just put it in as is. The fridge stops the dough from rising any further. Take the bowl out of the fridge at least a couple of hours before cooking.

Can I eat naan during weight loss? ›

On the other hand, naan has almost three times the carbohydrate content (45 grams) compared to loaf bread and pita (around 13 to 17 grams). So yes, you can still eat pita and naan when trying to lose weight, but in moderate amounts.

What is a healthier alternative to naan? ›

What most people don't realize is, most Indians don't eat naan everyday. It's a treat reserved for special occasions. A healthier alternative that is eaten daily in most indian households, is roti (also called chapati or fulka). It's an unleavened flatbread made of just two ingredients - whole wheat flour and water.

What is more fattening naan or rice? ›

Boiled rice was a healthier option, containing approximately 100 calories less than pilau rice and only 2% of the adult GDA for total and saturated fat. An average portion of peshwari naan bread contained significantly more energy, total fat and saturated fat than plain naan bread.

Why do we need yeast in bread? ›

Yeast has two roles in bread, one main function and a secondary function. The primary function of yeast in bread is as a leavening agent. This means it gives rise to the bread and creates a more open and airy texture. The secondary function of yeast in bread is to add strength to the dough.

Why does my naan bread not rise? ›

If you don't see the dough puffing up, you should turn up the heat under the griddle. Take the naan with thongs and turn on an adjacent gas burner. Flip the naan on top of this gas burner and leave until it's nicely charred.

Why is yeast added to flour? ›

Once reactivated, yeast begins feeding on the sugars in flour, and releases the carbon dioxide that makes bread rise (although at a much slower rate than baking powder or soda). Yeast also adds many of the distinctive flavors and aromas we associate with bread. For more on yeast, check out our fun yeast activity.

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.

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