Naan bread is a traditional Indian flatbread that is made from unleavened dough. It is typically cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven, and is often served with curries or other dishes.
What is Naan Bread?
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The naan bread is an ancient Eastern bread that likely originated in Mesopotamia but was found in ancient Egypt and India. It has remained a typically Asian bread that has found popularity in the United States and also elsehwere in the world.
Naan bread is a leavened flatbread with a soft, chewy texture. It is typically leavened either with yeast or a bread starter from a previous naan batch. It is typically cooked on a tandoor, a cylindric clay oven, which gives the common tandoori naan its name.
Modern naan may be made using baking soda as a leavening agent and sometimes uses milk or yogurt in addition to the flour, salt, and water that make up its base ingredients.
The naan bread is usually served as a side dish and is frequently eaten with hummus.
The History of Naan Bad
The Naan bread has a most auspicious history. The bread holds a special place in the Western Asian cultures of India, Myanmar, Iran to name a few. The naan bread of today originated as a hybrid of trade between Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indian empires.
The pioneering empire of Egypt created trade routes that navigated much of the ancient world. Thanks to these routes, the Persian and Mughal empires of a thousand years ago became acquainted with the Egyptian breadmaking ingredient of yeast.
Soon, leavened bread was spreading across the Western Asian empires. The word naan likely originated from the ancient Persian word nân, their generic word for any type of bread
The naan dominated the bread scene in ancient the ancient Indian empire of the Mughals. The bread was so popular that the ancient poet Amir Khusrau immortalized it in his poetry, identifying two different types of naan popular in his culture: naan-e-tanuk and naan-e-tanduri.
The naan-e-tanduri described by Khusrau resembles the most popular naan in today’s world: tandoori naan. The Indian culture claims credit for inventing tandoori naan by cooking it on a tandoor oven, a cylindric ancient oven that employs convection, flame, and radiant cooking still used today.
The naan began as a delicacy of royalty due to its complex kneading technique and cost of yeast. Naan grew in popularity across Western Asia, particularly on the Indian Sub-continent, with the invention of a portable tandoor by the Mughal Emperor sometime in the late 16th century.
With the arrival of the British in India during the 15th Century, the naan became a global affair. However, ethnic food was not popular until the late 19th century. Still, naan quickly became a popular ethnic cuisine in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The oldest Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom, Veeraswamy, opened in 1926 and still serves naan to this day. In 1984, Honeytop Speciality Foods first mass-produced naan for a store purchase. By the 1990s, naan became available in stores across Europe and the USA.
Ingredients in Naan Bread
Naan bread ingredients typically consist of the following:
- Yeast
- Yogurt
- Wheat Flour
- Atta Flour (high gluten wheat flour)
- Maida (finely milled wheat flour)
- Cooking Fat
- Water
Naan Bread Nutritional Information
Naan bread remains a staple of Western Asian cuisine for a good reason. It’s yogurt content, wheat flour, calcium, iron, and less than two grams of sugar. Combined with hummus or another source of protein, naan can be part of a balanced meal.
Approx values based on a 100g portion.
Calories
298 g
Carbs
50 g
Fat
7.2 g
Protein
9 g
Sodium
420 mg
Calcium
60 mg
Iron
3.8 mg
Cholesterol
15 mg
Potassium
200 mg
Vitamin A
30 mg
Vitamin C
0 mg
Vitamin D
0 mg
However, store-bought varieties often have additives, extra sugar, or unhealthy fats added to the bread. Homemade recipes are usually healthier.
How to Make Naan Bread
To make true tandoori naan, one must have a tandoor oven. However, naan recipes easily adjust for stovetop or oven-baked variations.
You start making naan much the same way as any bread. First, you mix the ingredients together until a ball of dough forms. Then, the dough proofs for two hours. Once risen, you divide the dough into balls and flatten them before frying the dough on a pre-heated skillet or in the oven.
What are the different types of naan bread
There are many so many naan types to choose from, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Some restauraunts may even create their own unique Naan types so be sure to keep your eyse peeled for those. Here are some of the most popular types of naan bread that you can choose from:
Plain naan
This is the most basic type of naan bread, and is typically made with just flour, water, yeast, and salt. It has a soft and fluffy texture, and is usually served plain or with a simple dipping sauce on the side.
Garlic naan
This type of naan bread is flavored with garlic, giving it a slightly pungent taste. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish, and pairs well with curries or other spicy dishes.
Cheese naan
As the name suggests, cheese naan is made with cheese, which gives it a rich and savory flavor. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and goes well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Peshawari naan
This type of naan bread originates from Pakistan, and is typically larger and thicker than other types of naan. It is usually stuffed with nuts or dried fruit, and has a sweet and rich flavor.
Kashmiri naan
Another type of naan bread from Pakistan, Kashmiri naan is thinner than Peshawari naan, and is not typically stuffed. Instead, it is often topped with garlic, onion, or other spices, giving it a flavorful taste.
Kulcha naan
Kulcha naan is a type of naan bread that is popular in India. It is made with a combination of flour, yeast, milk, and sugar, which gives it a slightly sweet flavor. Kulcha naan is often served plain, or with a stuffing of potatoes, paneer, or other vegetables.
Tandoori naan
This type of naan bread is cooked in a tandoor oven, which gives it a crispy texture on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. Tandoori naan is typically served as an accompaniment to curries or other main dishes.
Keema naan
Keema naan is a type of naan bread that is filled with a minced meat filling, usually lamb or chicken. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and pairs well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Amritsari naan
This type of naan bread originates from the city of Amritsar in India. It is made with maida flour, which gives it a soft and fluffy texture. Amritsari naan is typically served plain or with a stuffing of potatoes, paneer, or other vegetables.
Nawabi naan
Nawabi naan is a type of naan bread that originates from the city of Lucknow in India. It is made with maida flour, yogurt, ghee, and saffron, which gives it a rich and flavorful taste. Nawabi naan is typically served plain or with a stuffing of potatoes, paneer, or other vegetables.
Chili naan
As the name suggests, chili naan is made with chili peppers, giving it a spicy flavor. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish, and pairs well with curries or other spicy dishes.
Butter naan
This type of naan bread is brushed with butter before serving, giving it a rich and savory flavor. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and goes well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Makhani naan
Makhani naan is a type of naan bread that is brushed with butter and yogurt, giving it a rich and creamy flavor. It is often served as an accompaniment to curries or other main dishes.
Paneer naan
Paneer naan is a type of naan bread that is filled with paneer, a Indian cottage cheese. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and pairs well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Chilli cheese naan
As the name suggests, this type of naan bread is made with cheese and chilli peppers, giving it a spicy and savory flavor. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish, and pairs well with curries or other spicy dishes.
Mango naan
This type of naan bread is made with mangoes, which gives it a sweet and fruity flavor. It is often served as an accompaniment to main dishes, and goes well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Masala Paneer naan
This type of naan bread is made with a stuffing of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and spices. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and pairs well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
Chicken tikka naan
As the name suggests, this type of naan bread is made with a chicken tikka filling. It is a popular choice for main dishes, and pairs well with both vegetarian and meat-based curries.
No matter what type of naan bread you choose, you're sure to enjoy its delicious flavor and texture. So why not try out all different types and
Naan Bread Recipes
The traditional naan tastes similar to Greek pitta bread. Much of its flavoring comes from the fat used to fry the naan, be it butter, oil, etc., and the yogurt you mix into the dough. Plenty of variations exist, though.
For a savory, intriguing flavor, add fennel seeds (nigella seeds) and saffron into your dough before baking and top with ghee (clarified butter.) Add meat, cheese, or sour cream to the top of your naan for a filling meal.
If you have a sweet tooth, consider mixing raisins and cinnamon or vanilla and cranberries to your naan for a breakfast treat. Naan dough is fairly forgiving, so feel free to experiment with flavors and ingredients!
Naan Bread FAQ's
The dough for naan bread is typically made with flour, yeast, salt, and water. Sometimes milk or yogurt may also be used in the dough.
The dough for naan bread is first prepared by mixing together the flour, yeast, salt, and water (or milk/yogurt). The dough is then kneaded until it is smooth. Next, it is placed in a warm, humid place to rise for about an hour. Once it has doubled in size, it is then shaped into balls and flattened into discs. The naan bread is then cooked in a preheated tandoor or clay oven until it is golden brown and slightly charred around the edges.
Naan bread can be plain or topped with a variety of ingredients such as garlic, onion, cheese, or herbs.
Naan bread is typically served warm and can be used as a scoop for curries or other dishes. It can also be cut into pieces and used as a type of bread for sandwiches.
Some popular naan bread recipes include naan bread with garlic butter, naan bread pizza, and naan bread tacos.
Naan bread is best consumed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
Yes, naan bread can be reheated in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Some tips for making naan bread include using a preheated tandoor or clay oven, using ghee or butter to brush the naan bread before cooking, and sprinkling some chopped cilantro on top of the naan bread after it has been cooked.
Naan bread has been around for centuries and is thought to have originated in Persia. It later spread to India and other parts of Asia. Today, naan bread is enjoyed all over the world.
Naan bread is readily available at most grocery stores. It can also be found at many specialty food stores and online retailers.
The price of naan bread will vary depending on where it is purchased. Generally, a package of naan bread will cost around $2-$5.
Naan bread is generally considered to be healthy. It is low in calories and fat, and is a good source of carbohydrates. However, naan bread that is made with butter or other fatty toppings may not be as healthy.
Naan bread can be vegan if it is made with water instead of milk or yogurt, and if it does not contain any toppings made with butter or other dairy products. Some vegans may also choose to avoid naan bread that is cooked in a tandoor as it may come into contact with meat or other animal products.
No, naan bread is not gluten-free as it is made with wheat flour. However, there are a few brands that offer gluten-free naan bread options.
Some naan bread substitutes include roti, paratha, or chapati. These substitutes are typically made with wheat flour as well, so they will not be suitable for those on a gluten-free diet. Other substitutes include pita bread or flatbreads such as lavash or tortillas.
A single serving of naan bread (1/2 a naan bread) contains approximately 140 calories.
A single serving of naan bread (1/2 a naan bread) contains approximately 1 gram of fat.
A single serving of naan bread (1/2 a naan bread) contains approximately 27 grams of carbohydrates.
A single serving of naan bread (1/2 a naan bread) contains approximately 140 calories
