Not sure naan could get any better? Try this homemade garlic naan recipe and I guarantee you’ll be surprised! It’s soft and chewy like classic naan, but has an added boost of caramelized flavor from fresh minced garlic.

Right before serving the naan then gets brushed with a garlic brown butter for a savory, nutty finish. 

Homemade naan bread stacked on a blue napkin on a white plate sprinkled with parsley

The process of making garlic naan is simple, there is some rising time so a bit of patience is all you need. 

If you aren’t into the three-step rising process you can make the dough ahead of time and do a slow rise in the refrigerator—simple and hands-off! Look for make-ahead instructions in the notes section of the recipe card.

How to Make Garlic Naan (video)

One of the most important things when making naan is to use fresh yeast—check the expiration date, if it’s expired you run the risk of your dough not rising. Better safe than sorry, so grab yourself a new packet at the store (you can find it in the baking aisle next to the flour). 

And finally, let’s talk about the garlic browned butter. Melted butter is fantastic on naan, but browned butter? It’s next level. Toasty, savory, and SO flavorful. It’s a must.

Homemade naan bread stacked on a blue napkin on a white plate sprinkled with parsley

What do you need for this garlic naan recipe?

  • All-purpose flour 
  • Instant yeast
  • Full-Fat Greek yogurt (also called whole milk Greek yogurt)
  • Olive oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • Egg yolk
  • Honey
  • Salt 
Side angle of browned butter being drizzled over stacks of naan bread

How to Make Garlic Naan (step-by-step)

Make the dough:

  1. Combine the water, yogurt, oil, yolk, and honey in a liquid measuring cup (the cup makes it easier, and cleaner, to pour).
  2. Combine the flour and yeast in a food processor
  3. With the processor running, stream the water mixture into the processor until combined.
  4. Let the dough rest. 
  5. Add the salt to the dough and process one minute until a cohesive dough comes together. 

Let the dough rise:

  1. Knead the dough one minute, transfer to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic and let it rise 30 minutes. 
  2. Fold the dough over itself in an eight-step rotation (details in the recipe). Cover the dough and let it rise 30 minutes more. Repeat folding and rising once more. 
  3. Divide the dough into four equal balls, arrange on an oiled baking sheet, cover with plastic and let dough balls rise 20 minutes. 

Cooking the naan:

  1. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium. Roll a dough ball into an 8–8 ½ inch round. 
  2. Sprinkle the dough with garlic, prick the surface with a fork, then mist the top with water. 
  3. Drizzle oil into hot skillet, heat to a shimmer, then wipe oil out. 
  4. Place naan, misted-side down in the hot skillet. Mist the top of the dough with water, cover and cook two minutes. Flip bread, cover and cook two more minutes.

Can you freeze naan?

If you have leftover naan (rare, but possible) it’s a great idea to freeze it and save for later. Layer naan between layers of wax or parchment paper. Transfer to a resealable freezer bag and freeze. Naan can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

Reheating naan

Many recipes will tell you to reheat naan in the oven. However, I’ve found this dries out the naan—which in my opinion defeats the purpose of naan! This method of reheating can be used for naan that’s been stored in the refrigerator or freezer. 

The best way to reheat naan is to first warm the naan in the microwave. Wrap the naan in moist paper towels (or a kitchen towel) and microwave on high for 30–90 seconds until the bread is soft, pliable, and steaming.

(Naan that’s been stored in the refrigerator will only need about 30 seconds in the microwave, while frozen will need a bit longer, closer to 90 seconds.)

From the microwave, drop the naan into a hot cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the naan just until charred, lightly crisp and warmed through, 30 seconds per side. 

Homemade naan bread stacked on a blue napkin on a white plate sprinkled with parsley

What to serve with garlic naan?

How to use garlic naan?

  • Make pizza with garlic naan as the crust!
  • Use naan for a sandwich or panini 
  • Use as the crust for a flatbread 
  • Sprinkle cheese over top and broil for a cheese bread side dish.
Homemade naan bread stacked on a blue napkin on a white plate sprinkled with parsley

Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this garlic naan!

To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can click the button on any of the photos, or the red button on the side bar or below the recipe. Happy cooking!

Garlic Naan with Garlic Browned Butter

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Yield 4 naan breads (8 servings)
Category Side Dish
Cuisine Asian
Author Lauren

Description

Soft and chewy, this garlic naan recipe is easy to make, delicious, and WAY better than store-bough naan. Serve as a side or use it to make sandwiches, pizzas, and flatbreads.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ice-cold water
  • cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon instant or rapid-rise yeast
  • Salt
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic, divided
  • 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons softened butter
  • Chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Combine water, yogurt, oil, yolk, and honey in a liquid measuring cup.
  • Process flour and yeast in a food processor to combine. With processor running, slowly stream in water mixture until just combined and no dry flour remains, about 10 seconds. Let dough rest 10 minutes.
  • Add 1 teaspoon salt to dough and process until a satiny, sticky dough ball forms and clears the sides of the bowl, about 60 seconds.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, 1 minute. Shape dough into a tight ball and place in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, fold partially risen dough over itself 8 times by gently lifting and folding edge of dough toward middle, rotating bowl 90-degrees after each fold. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes more. Repeat folding, then cover tightly and let rise one last time for 30 minutes.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth, tight ball and transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet, spacing two inches apart. Cover loosely with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise 20 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 200°F with a baking sheet set inside.
  • Transfer 1 dough ball to lightly floured surface and sprinkle with flour. Roll piece of dough into an 8–8½-inch round of even thickness, sprinkling with more flour as needed. Sprinkle ¾ teaspoon minced garlic over the surface of dough; gently press into dough. Using a fork, poke surface of dough 30 times.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium until shimmering, wipe oil out of skillet with a paper towel.
  • Mist top of dough with water, then transfer to skillet, misted-side down; mist top surface of dough with water and cover. Cook dough until bottom is brown in spots across surface, about 2 minutes. Flip naan, cover and cook until golden brown in spots across surface, about 2 minutes.
  • Transfer naan to baking sheet in oven to keep warm.
  • Repeat rolling and cooking with remaining dough and oil.
  • Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until lightly golden and nutty, 3–5 minutes. Off heat, stir in remaining 1 teaspoon garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have time to prep the dough and make it, you can make the dough ahead of time and let it rest overnight: Follow recipe through kneading and placing in large oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 16–24 hours. Then follow recipe instructions beginning with forming into four equal dough balls.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 naanCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 296mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
Like this? Leave a comment below!I love hearing from you and I want to hear how it went with this recipe! Leave a comment and rating below, then share on social media @zestfulkitchen and #zestfulkitchen!
Homemade naan bread stacked on a blue napkin on a white plate sprinkled with parsley

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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5 from 2 votes

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I had never made naan bread before and I was nervous to make this. I’m here to tell the non bakers out there that this is THE easiest bread you can make. and the recipe is so easy to follow. the whole family LOVED this. I love the added garlic that gets slightly toasted during cooking too. yum

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve tried a few garlic naan breads on the internet and they are always lackluster. This recipe is by far the best I have made! Easy to make and has tons of flavor. It’s chewy which I love and the browned butter is insanely good!!