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? ›

2% milk works well, but I do not recommend using fat-free or skim milk. Full-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste. You can use a 2% or fat-free Greek yogurt, your bread may just not be as pillowy soft.

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 difference between butter naan and plain naan? ›

This is Butter Naan recipe and what makes it different from Plain Naan is the amount of BUTTER added while kneading the dough and how the Butter Naan is served. Obviously, it is served with a hearty blob of Butter or served hot, brushed with ample of Butter.

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

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.

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

Yeast acts very differently from baking powder and if you use baking powder instead, the result will be very, very different from what it should be. Though both baking powder and yeast create carbon dioxide gas, which raises the dough, baking powder does it virtually instantly and yeast does it quite slowly.

Why do you sprinkle water on naan bread? ›

you put it on naans to keep them soft.

Why isn't my naan puffing up? ›

You need a high enough heat for the baking powder to start reacting and producing gases, and also for the water content in the dough to transform into steam – both of which contribute to the puffing action and bubble formation. If your heat is too low, the naan bread will dry out before bubbles start forming.

What is the healthiest naan bread? ›

Opt for whole wheat naan if you're looking to maximize your health benefits, and try to serve it alongside other nutritious foods.

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? ›

Naan breads --made of refined flour--are to be avoided as they can promote weight gain. While filling up your plate, try to focus more on the veggies, preferably green vegetables instead of starchy veggies. Vegetables that are cooked in a cooker, instead of being deep-fried, are always a better option for weight loss.

Why is naan unhealthy? ›

Skip: Naan

And like those fluffy spuds, this soft flatbread has little nutritional value. Most naan recipes call for Greek yogurt to give it that airy texture. But that's more than offset by less healthy ingredients like white flour, sugar, and oil.

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 type of naan is best? ›

Butter Naan

Butter Naan is one of the most loved naans in India. You could judge this from the fact that this naan is usually the only one served in most of the weddings. The use of butter over this naan makes it soft and easy to chew.

Should I use yeast or baking powder? ›

These baked items benefit from the fermentation process yeast undergoes during the proofing process. By comparison, you should use baking powder for baked goods that won't benefit from the taste of fermentation, such as banana bread, cookies, and cakes.

Which is better yeast or baking powder? ›

Key Differences Between Yeast and Baking Powder

While baking powder produces a rapid, short-lived rise through a chemical reaction, yeast creates a slow, sustained rise due to fermentation. Baking powder will not affect the taste of your dough, but yeast introduces a fermented, tangy note to the mix.

Should I use yeast or baking powder for bread? ›

Baking powder is typically used in quick breads, muffins, cakes, and other baked goods that require a quick rise. Yeast is commonly used in bread, pizza dough, and other baked goods that require a longer rising time and a more complex flavor profile.

Does traditional naan have yeast? ›

Though they're flatbreads, naans traditionally get their bubbly texture from yeast (and, very traditionally, from wild yeasts). Some more modern variations, such as that in Vivek Singh's Curry, use baking powder instead, with Jaffrey also adding extra bicarbonate of soda.

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