This Butter Naan bread is heavenly with its soft texture and slight charred bubbles reminiscent of fire-roasted perfection. Combining all-purpose flour, yogurt, and melted butter, this Best Homemade Naan Bread offers a delightful tang and crunch that pairs exquisitely with rich curries. Experience the irresistible charm of Soft Naan Bread.
I’ve been testing this Incredible Soft Butter Naan recipe for a while now and I can honestly say its one of the best homemade naan breads I’ve ever made. I start with 2 cups all-purpose flour, then mix in 1/2 cup plain yogurt and about 1/4 to 1/3 cup warm water to bring the dough together.
I add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast to help the dough rise. The secret is the 2 tablespoons of melted butter or ghee that really makes it soft and flavorful.
I usually cook mine on the stove to get that perfect charred bubble effect that makes it taste like it’s fresh out of a tandoor. This soft naan pairs perfectly with any curry like Paneer butter masala or butter chicken and its a must try if you want to make naan at home.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love that the naan turns out soft and stretchy, almost like the ones you get at my favorite Indian restaurant. The use of plain yogurt in the dough gives it a slight tang that I find really appealing, and it makes me feel like I’m having something a little extra special.
I also appreciate that the recipe uses ingredients I always have in my kitchen. It’s easy to make and doesn’t require any fancy stuff, which means I can whip it up on a weeknight without much hassle.
Another thing I like is how the instructions include all the right tips and tricks—like brushing on extra melted butter for that rich flavor and those satisfying charred bubbles on the surface. It may seem simple, but those little details take it up a notch every time I make it.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: gives mainly carbs and some protein to build our dough.
- Plain yogurt: adds tanginess and moisture while making the naan extra tender.
- Sugar: offers a hint of sweetness and helps feed the yeast for proper rise.
- Active dry yeast: is the magic that proofs the dough and makes it airy.
- Melted butter (or ghee): infuses rich flavor and softness especially when brushed on warm naan.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup warm water, adjust as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee (plus extra for brushing)
How to Make this
1. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast together.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons melted butter (or ghee) and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
3. Gradually add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of warm water and combine until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 6 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy.
5. Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 to
1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into equal balls (roughly 6 to 8 pieces).
7. Roll each ball into a round, flattened shape about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
8. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, then cook each naan for about 2 minutes on one side until bubbles form and you get some charred spots, flip and cook the other side.
9. While the naan is still warm, brush it with extra melted butter or ghee.
10. Serve your delicious, soft butter naan warm with your favorite curry like butter chicken, paneer butter masala, or a spicy lamb vindaloo. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. A large mixing bowl for combining all the dry and wet ingredients
2. Measuring cups and spoons to measure out the flour, yogurt, water, salt, sugar, and yeast
3. A mixing spoon or spatula for stirring the dough
4. A clean cloth or plastic wrap to cover the dough while it rises
5. A lightly floured work surface, plus a rolling pin (or you can use your hands) for kneading and shaping the dough
6. A skillet or griddle to cook the naan
7. A pastry brush for brushing melted butter or ghee onto the naan when its still warm
FAQ
Incredible Soft Butter Naan: A Classic Indian Flatbread Recipe For Lunch Or Dinner Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have plain yogurt, try using Greek yogurt, sour cream, or even buttermilk. They give a similar tang and texture.
- You can swap out some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or bread flour for a nuttier flavour. Just note you might need a bit more water to get the right dough consistency.
- Instead of active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast in an equal amount. The proofing time might change a little, so keep an eye on it.
- If you’re out of melted butter or ghee, use a bit more unsalted butter or even a mild coconut oil as a replacement. The flavour will shift a bit, but it should still be really good.
Pro Tips
1. When makin the dough, add the warm water slowly so you dont end up with too runny mix, cause every type of flour might act a little different.
2. Let the dough rest in a warm spot, maybe near your oven; it really helps the yeast work and makes the naan extra fluffy.
3. Use a heavy skillet like cast iron if you have one, it gets really hot which is key to creatin those nice char spots without burnin the bread.
4. Brush the naan with extra butter or ghee as soon as you take them off the skillet so they soak up the flavor while still warm.
Incredible Soft Butter Naan: A Classic Indian Flatbread Recipe For Lunch Or Dinner
My favorite Incredible Soft Butter Naan: A Classic Indian Flatbread Recipe For Lunch Or Dinner
Equipment Needed:
1. A large mixing bowl for combining all the dry and wet ingredients
2. Measuring cups and spoons to measure out the flour, yogurt, water, salt, sugar, and yeast
3. A mixing spoon or spatula for stirring the dough
4. A clean cloth or plastic wrap to cover the dough while it rises
5. A lightly floured work surface, plus a rolling pin (or you can use your hands) for kneading and shaping the dough
6. A skillet or griddle to cook the naan
7. A pastry brush for brushing melted butter or ghee onto the naan when its still warm
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup warm water, adjust as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee (plus extra for brushing)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast together.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons melted butter (or ghee) and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
3. Gradually add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of warm water and combine until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 6 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy.
5. Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 to
1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into equal balls (roughly 6 to 8 pieces).
7. Roll each ball into a round, flattened shape about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
8. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, then cook each naan for about 2 minutes on one side until bubbles form and you get some charred spots, flip and cook the other side.
9. While the naan is still warm, brush it with extra melted butter or ghee.
10. Serve your delicious, soft butter naan warm with your favorite curry like butter chicken, paneer butter masala, or a spicy lamb vindaloo. Enjoy!
