How to cook
Homemade crispy naan in a pan — soft and bubbly
Soft, chewy, and full of delicious bubbles, this homemade naan is just as good as the flatbread you get at an Indian restaurant. Traditionally, naan is baked in a hot tandoor oven, but at home we can easily replicate the effect using a well-heated cast iron skillet. The flatbreads turn out light and airy on the inside, with a golden crust on the outside, and are perfect with curry, meat, or simply with garlic butter.
Naan (or "nan") is a popular yeast-leavened wheat flatbread, a traditional dish of South Asia, Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan) and the Caucasus, resembling soft pita bread in taste and texture, with characteristic bubbles and scorch marks. It is made from dough with kefir, yogurt, or milk, baked in a tandoor (clay oven) or in a pan, served with curry, vegetable dishes, soups, and also used for snacks.
Key characteristics:
- Dough: Wheat flour, yeast, yogurt/kefir/milk for softness.
- Preparation: Traditionally in a tandoor, but can also be done in an oven/frying pan.
- Taste: Soft, slightly sour, often with the addition of garlic, herbs, spices (cumin).
- Texture: Fluffy, airy, with golden spots.
- Serving: Accompaniment to main dishes, such as bread with curry, or as a base for fillings (cheese, minced meat, vegetables).
Difference from lavash:
- Lavash is thin, unleavened, and yeast-free.
- Naan is leavened, fluffy, soft, with the addition of fermented milk products.
Thus, naan is a hearty and aromatic type of flatbread, an integral part of many Asian meals, which is easy to prepare and perfectly complements spicy dishes.