This Best Butter Naan Recipe delivers everything you love about restaurant-style Indian bread—right from your own kitchen 🫓✨
Soft, fluffy, and beautifully bubbly with those signature charred spots, this naan is brushed with melted butter for an irresistible finish. Thanks to a perfectly balanced dough made with yeast and yogurt, you get incredible flavor and texture without needing a tandoor oven.
Cooked in a hot skillet and optionally finished over an open flame, this naan is tender, stretchy, and absolutely addictive 🤤
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra soft and fluffy texture
- Beautiful bubbles and charred spots
- Easy stovetop method (no tandoor needed)
- Authentic flavor with simple ingredients
- Perfect with any curry or grilled dish
🛒 Ingredients (Makes 8 naan)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
- 1 cup warm water (120–130°F / 49–54°C)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Make the dough
- In a bowl or mixer, combine flour, yeast, salt, baking soda, and baking powder
- Add yogurt and warm water
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms
➡️ Knead for about 4 minutes until smooth (dough will be sticky)
2. Shape and rest
- Divide dough into 8 equal balls
- Place on oiled parchment paper and coat lightly with oil
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour
3. Roll the naan
- Lightly flour surface
- Roll each ball into an oval about ¼ inch thick
- Let rest for 10 minutes
4. Cook
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat
- Place naan in hot pan
➡️ Cook until bubbles form (30–60 seconds)
➡️ Flip and cook another 30 seconds until charred spots appear
5. Optional flame finish
- For authentic tandoori-style naan, finish over direct flame using tongs
➡️ Watch carefully—it cooks fast!
6. Butter & serve
- Brush hot naan with melted butter
- Sprinkle cilantro if desired
- Serve warm
💡 Tips
✔ Dough should be slightly sticky—don’t over-flour
✔ Resting time is key for soft texture
✔ Use very hot pan for bubbles and char
✔ Brush butter immediately after cooking
🔄 Variations
✨ Garlic naan: add minced garlic to butter
✨ Cheese naan: stuff with cheese before cooking
✨ Whole wheat: replace part of flour
✨ Spicy: add chili flakes or herbs
❄️ Storage
- Room temp: up to 1 day (airtight)
- Freeze: up to 3 months
- Reheat in pan or over flame
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Perfect with:
- Butter chicken 🍛
- Chicken korma
- Lentil curry
- Grilled meats
- Dips and spreads
❓ FAQs
What makes naan soft?
The combination of yogurt, yeast, and resting time.
Can I make it without yeast?
Yes, but texture will be different.
Why is my naan not bubbling?
Pan may not be hot enough or dough didn’t rest enough.