Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

Sharing today, one of my favorite Indian Bread, Garlic Butter Naan which is easy to cook, and don't need yeast or lengthy fermentation time.

In India, everyone still don't feel comfortable using yeast in everyday cooking. Few weeks ago, when I shared Garlic Naan, everyone back home expected it to be without yeast. Few of my friends even asked me to post a no-yeast method... Saying "post an everyday easy naan recipe, Savita!" Well, if you ask me, I always thinkyeast naanis very easy to make.... However, I get the point.

So for anyone looking for a quick and easy everyday Garlic Naan Bread, I thought it would be good to share a recipe that needs no yeast or not much resting time. This recipe also comes with a little personal touch... Read on to unfold....

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (1)

What does Yeast Do?

First, it is really important to know that yeast is fermentation agent which gives naan signature fluffy, airy, and soft texture. Yeast feeds on sugar, multiply in dough making it full of carbon dioxide molecules (bubbles). Longer dough sits, more fermented the dough becomes.

If you can find yeast in your local store and can spare sometime to allow yeast to ferment the dough, you can try myGarlic Naan Recipewhich uses yeast.

How to get Fluffy Naan without Yeast?

Well, good question! Let me share with you, how?!

Other than yeast, what leavening agent you can think of which can give airy texture to a bread? These are: baking soda, baking powder, and eggs. So in many naan recipes, all over internet and even in cookbooks, egg and baking powder/soda are added (a lot) to get fluffy (bubbles) texture without yeast.

However, a naan bread that is heavy in baking soda or egg can taste very dense, egg-y and will be very heavy on stomach. When I was trying to get a perfect naan recipe without yeast, I did mess up few batches which tasted very egg-y or unappealing due to soda.

So, after a few experiments, I decided to get rid of fatty egg-yolk from egg and reduced the amount of soda to almost negligible. To my surprise, this change really made me like no-yeast bread! Right at that point, I knew, I have a recipe to share! (finally!)

You know, garlic naans or butter naans in general, are special favorite of my better-half. He did not like a single batch which was heavy on egg. But, when I gave him to taste the naan, I'm sharing today, he could not judge if this one is yeast garlic naan or not!

hurrah!!! Worth all effort for me!!

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2)

One thing is certain, these naans will sure make you forget store-bought naan. Plus these are healthier than store naans! Chances are, you might start making'em at home very often than picking a packet from store. I promise!

You know the best part, these naans can also be baked in household oven. I always tell you, Indian traditional Tandorr is much much high-heat vessel than household oven. So, home oven, due to low heat, (yes, you reading correct), results in not-so-good baked yeast naans. However, addition of egg, in naan dough, keeps them moist and fluffy when baked in home oven.

This recipe has become my favorite when I have few guests coming over. Just roll a couple of naans, put on hot sheet pan and bake. Much easier than rolling and searing each naan on tawa (iron skillet), one at a time. Isn't it? So, I have included both instructions, cook on tawa or bake in oven below.

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (3)

Freeze or Not?

Unlike Yeast Naan, I don't recommend freezing Egg Naans. These are best when served just out of the oven. You can cook'em 2-3 hours in advance though. Then, just before serving..... Just like you warm tortillas, wrap naan in damp kitchen towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds. This will freshen-up the texture and make'em moist again.

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (4)

Okay, let me sum-up this new Naan Recipe for you quickly:

1) No yeast or much time needed to make these naans.
2) No egg-y smell or Baking Soda after taste. Only egg white and tad of baking soda added, yet lite and fluffy texture matching any store bought naan!
3) Good news!! These naans can be baked in oven and will not lose moisture!
4)Last but not the least, homemade naans gives you option to make it healthier. Use part all purpose and part wheat flour and also skip butter if you prefer.

If I may ask, what is your favorite Indian Naan? Yeast or no yeast?

Let's head straight to the recipe! Enjoy!-Savita

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (5)

Homemade No Yeast Garlic Butter Naan Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

Is yeast or baking powder better for naan? ›

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.

Why do you put yogurt in naan bread? ›

Salt could be optional if you are having naan with a curry. (Cause curry usually has salt and the bread might not need it). Variations like milk or yogurt is used instead of water to make dough soft and fluffy. This would change the texture and flavor of the bread.

Do Indian restaurants use yeast in naan? ›

About Naan

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. Each place may have their own recipe to make these.

What is the best combination with butter naan? ›

10 curries that taste best with Naan
  • Curries that tastes best with Naan. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Paneer Tikka Masala. ...
  • Dal Makhani. ...
  • Palak Paneer. ...
  • Chicken Korma. ...
  • Keema Curry. ...
  • Butter Paneer Masala.
Nov 10, 2023

What happens if you use baking powder instead of yeast for bread? ›

The CO2 causes the bread to rise and all the other compounds, including the yeast it self makes the bread taste like bread. The reason some would use baking powder is that it impart a different flavor than baker's yeast. It also acts a lot faster.

Can you leave naan dough to rise overnight? ›

Make the dough up to the end of Step 5 – Proof 1. 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.

Why do you sprinkle water on naan bread? ›

you put it on naans to keep them soft.

Is naan better with or without yogurt? ›

Milk, and dairy in general, will give the naan a soft, more tender crumb than water alone, but I'm not sure you want to go too far down that road, as you risk sacrificing that aforementioned chewy texture. A little yoghurt for tang and richness, mixed with rather more water, seems a good compromise.

Why isn't my naan puffing up? ›

If your heat is too low, the naan bread will dry out before bubbles start forming. The heat is too high. If your heat is too high, the underside can start burning, so you'll need to flip it before it can start puffing up and before bubbles can start forming.

Do restaurants use egg in naan? ›

In many traditional recipes, naan bread does not contain eggs. However, there are variations of naan where eggs might be added to the dough. Whether eggs are added to naan largely depends on the specific recipe used by the restaurant and regional preferences.

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.

Can I eat naan during weight loss? ›

You can include naan as a part of a balanced diet when you eat it in moderation. Opt for whole wheat naan if you're looking to maximize your health benefits, and try to serve it alongside other nutritious foods. Of course, consider the full scope of your diet.

How unhealthy is Butter Naan? ›

One Butter Naan provides about 3.2 percent of the total daily calorie requirement of a standard adult diet of 2,000 calories. Naan or plain naan recipe makes 10 naans. 65 calories for 1 Naan, Cholesterol 0.2 mg, Carbohydrates 10.1g, Protein 1.7g, Fat 1.9g.

What's good to eat with naan bread? ›

Naan bread isn't just for eating with curry. Use this delicious Indian flatbread to make tacos, pizzas, paninis and more. Skip the store-bought stuff and learn how to make naan at home.

What do you drink with naan? ›

Love Butter Chicken And Naan? Here Are 6 Drinks To Pair With The Curry
  • Lassi. This sweet variant of buttermilk is luxurious and thicker than your average chaas. ...
  • G&T With Lime. ...
  • Pinot Noir. ...
  • Single Malt. ...
  • Lemon Tea. ...
  • Singleton Plus Two Riverside.

Should I use yeast or baking powder for bread? ›

Yeast is my go-to for bread, pizza dough, and sweet rolls like cinnamon buns. These items benefit from its slow fermentation, which adds depth to both flavor and texture. On the other hand, baking powder should be your choice for quick breads, cookies, and cakes.

Which is better yeast or baking powder? ›

Yeast has more nutrients, but some may be allergic to it. The others are just types of salts with baking powder being a combination.

Is it OK to use yeast instead of baking powder? ›

In baked goods, you can replace yeast with an equal amount of baking powder. Just keep in mind that the leavening effects of baking powder will not be as distinct as those of yeast. Baking powder causes baked goods to rise rapidly, but not to the same extent as yeast.

Why yeast is better than baking powder? ›

Unlike baking soda and baking powder, yeast is a live organism. Its biological leavening process (sometimes referred to as fermentation) takes longer and is therefore best suited for doughs that need a little more rising time.

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