Homemade Naan with instant yeast
Delicious, soft and pillowy homemade naan without a tandoor oven.
Servings: 6 naans
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 50 Minutes, plus 1 to 1.5 hours rising time
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off with a knife, plus more for rolling
3 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon instant dry yeast or rapid-rise yeast (see note)
1 teaspoon salt
Heaping 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds (optional)
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons melted salted butter, for brushing on finished naans 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional), for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Note: This recipe includes instructions for both instant dry or rapid rise yeast AND for active dry yeast, so please be sure to refer to the applicable set of steps.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and anise seeds (if using).
Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together, the yogurt, olive oil, and 3/4 cup warm water (about 100°F). Add the yogurt mixture to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork. When the dough is about to come together, dust your hands with flour and knead gently into a soft, slightly sticky dough. As soon as it comes together, stop kneading.
Lightly oil or spray a clean bowl with nonstick cooking spray (the bowl should be large enough to allow the dough to double in size). Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let sit in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until about doubled in size (hint: the warmer the spot, the faster the dough will rise).
Fill a small bowl with about 1/2 cup flour. Dust a work surface with some of the flour and dump the dough on top. Sprinkle some of the flour on top of the dough and on your hands. Shape the dough into a long rectangle and cut into 6 equal portions, dusting with more flour as necessary so the dough doesn’t stick. Roll each portion of dough in the bowl of flour to keep them from sticking.
Warm a large cast iron or heavy nonstick pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Using a rolling pin, roll one of the dough balls into an oval shape about 1/8-inch thick (it should be about 9 x 4 inches). Pick up the dough and flip-flop it back and forth between your hands to release any excess flour; then gently lay the dough in the dry skillet and cook until the top is bursting with air bubbles and the bottom is golden and blackened in spots, a few minutes. Flip the naan and cook about 1-2 minutes more until the the bottom is lightly browned and blistered in spots. Remove the naan from the skillet and brush with melted butter. Place the naan in a tea towel-lined dish to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining naans, adjusting the heat lower if necessary as you go (I usually find it necessary to lower the heat to medium after the first naan). Sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve warm.
To keep the cooked naan warm, place them in a 200°F oven. Store lefovers in a Ziplock bag and reheat in a 350°F oven wrapped in foil.
Note: If using active dry yeast rather than instant or rapid-rise, the yeast will need to be activated in liquid before using, so follow these instructions for the first three steps: 1) In a medium bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar with 3/4 cup warm water (about 100°F). Let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes.
2) Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar, flour, salt and anise seeds (if using). Set aside. Once the yeast is frothy, add the yogurt and olive oil to it and whisk to combine. Pour the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients and mix the dough together with a fork. When the dough is about to come together, dust your hand with flour and knead gently into a so%, slightly sticky dough. As soon as it comes together, stop kneading.
3) Lightly oil or spray a clean bowl with nonstick cooking spray (the bowl should be large enough to allow the dough to double in size). Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let sit in a warm place for 1.5 to 3 hours, or until about doubled in size. Proceed with recipe starting at step 4.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The naan can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once it’s completely cooled, wrap each piece securely in plastic wrap and put all the rounds in a sealable plastic bag prior to putting in the freezer. To reheat, wrap the naan in aluminum foil and warm in a 350°F oven until hot.
Naan Bread with Dry Yeast
Prep: 30 m
Cook: 7 m
Ready In: 3 h
Ingredients
• 1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
Directions
1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat.
4. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.