Garlic naan, a beloved Indian flatbread, is a staple in many households and restaurants around the world. Its origins trace back to the Indian subcontinent, where it’s been enjoyed for centuries alongside various curries and other dishes.

Despite its rich history, making garlic naan at home is easier than you might think, making it an ideal choice for both beginner and experienced cooks alike.

Crafting this aromatic bread involves a handful of simple ingredients, commonly found in most kitchens. Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and yeast come together to form the base of the dough, while warm milk and olive oil lend it its soft, elastic texture.

The magic happens when minced garlic, chopped coriander, and melted butter are brushed over the naan before grilling, infusing it with irresistible flavor and fragrance.

While garlic naan might seem daunting at first, fear not! With a bit of patience and practice, you’ll soon master the art of creating this delectable bread from scratch.

Expert Tip: Ensure the milk is warm but not too hot, as hot milk can kill the yeast, preventing the dough from rising properly.

Ingredients

Plain Flour: The main component of the naan dough, plain flour provides the structure and texture necessary for a soft and chewy flatbread. Its versatility allows it to absorb liquids and form a cohesive dough when combined with other ingredients.

Baking Powder: Adding a hint of leavening power, baking powder helps the naan puff up slightly during cooking, resulting in a lighter and airier texture.

Salt: Essential for enhancing the overall flavor profile of the naan, salt balances the sweetness of the dough and adds depth to each bite.

Sugar: While seemingly minimal, sugar plays a crucial role in activating the yeast and aiding in fermentation, contributing to the naan’s rise and development of flavor.

Yeast (Active Dry): The key leavening agent, yeast interacts with the sugar and warm milk to create carbon dioxide gas, causing the dough to expand and rise, resulting in a soft and fluffy texture.

Milk (Warm): Providing moisture and richness to the dough, warm milk helps activate the yeast while also imparting a subtle sweetness to the naan.

Olive Oil: Acting as a tenderizer, olive oil adds moisture and richness to the dough, resulting in a softer and more pliable flatbread.

Garlic (Minced): Infusing the naan with its distinct aroma and flavor, minced garlic adds a savory kick to each bite, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Coriander (Chopped): Offering a burst of freshness and color, chopped coriander not only adds visual appeal but also contributes a subtle herbal note to the naan.

Butter (Melted): Brushed over the naan before grilling, melted butter creates a golden crust while infusing the bread with richness and a hint of indulgence.

Expert Tip: For extra flavor, toast the minced garlic in a skillet with a bit of butter or oil before mixing it with the melted butter for brushing onto the naan.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve garlic naan alongside your favorite Indian curries, such as butter chicken, tikka masala, or palak paneer, for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Pair garlic naan with various dips and chutneys, such as mango chutney, cucumber raita, or mint chutney, for a flavorful appetizer or snack.
• Use garlic naan as a base for homemade pizzas by topping it with tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, and your choice of protein for a delicious fusion dish.
• Enjoy garlic naan as a standalone treat, warmed up and brushed with melted butter, for a comforting and indulgent snack.
• Use leftover garlic naan to make sandwiches or wraps filled with your favorite fillings for a quick and easy meal on the go.

Expert Tip: Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as cilantro, cumin, or nigella seeds, to customize the flavor of your garlic naan to suit your taste preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of plain flour?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour for plain flour in this recipe without significant changes in the final result. However, keep in mind that the texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Can I make garlic naan without yeast?

While yeast is traditionally used to leaven naan, you can make a quick version using baking powder and yogurt instead. However, the texture and flavor will be slightly different.

Can I freeze garlic naan?

Yes, you can freeze garlic naan for later use. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, simply thaw and warm them in a preheated oven or skillet until heated through.

Can I omit the garlic and coriander?

Yes, you can omit the garlic and coriander if you prefer a plain naan. Alternatively, you can customize the toppings to suit your taste preferences.

Can I cook garlic naan without a grill?

While grilling imparts a delicious smoky flavor to the naan, you can also cook them on a stovetop using a cast-iron skillet or frying pan. Simply heat the skillet over medium-high heat and cook the naan for a few minutes on each side until golden brown spots appear.

Check Out These Other Recipes

Here are some more recipes for you to enjoy! If you my recipes don’t forget to rate and leave a comment.

• Naan Bread
• No Yeast Naan Bread
• Coconut Chicken Curry
• Lamb Chops Curry
• Masala Fish

If you have any recipe suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask me. A great way to stay in contact with me is through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget to tag me @CookwithNabeela in your recipe photos!

Garlic Naan

by Nabeela Kauser

Discover the delectable comfort of homemade garlic naan. A classic staple of Indian cuisine, this recipe is easier to make than you'd think, perfect for beginners or seasoned cooks looking for a tasty challenge. 

5 from 8 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Proof Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Sides

Cuisine Indian, Pakistani

Servings 4

Calories 367 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 250 g Plain Flour
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Salt
• ▢ 1 tsp Sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp Yeast Active Dry
• ▢ 120 ml Milk Warm
• ▢ 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• ▢ 2 cloves Garlic Minced
• ▢ 2 tbsp Coriander Chopped
• ▢ 2 tbsp Butter Melted

Instructions

• Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well to blend the dry ingredients.
• Gradually add warm milk and vegetable oil to the bowl, stirring the mixture until a soft and elastic dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth.
• Cover the dough with a damp cloth and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes in a warm spot.
• Heat your grill to high temperature.
• In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, chopped coriander and melted butter.
• Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll each portion out into a thin circle.
• Brush one side of each naan with the garlic and coriander butter.
• Place the naans buttered side up on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they begin to puff up and turn golden brown.
• Flip the naans over and cook for another 1-2 minutes or until the other side is also golden brown.
• Once done, remove the naans from the grill and serve hot.

Notes

Nutritional facts:

The provision of nutritional information is done so merely as a courtesy and should not be taken as a guarantee.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 693mgPotassium: 130mgFibre: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 239IUVitamin C: 1mgVitamin D: 0.3µgCalcium: 82mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Bread, Curry, Flatbread, Food, Garlic, Indian, Naan, Pakistani, Recipe

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