Love naan bread? This Garlic Naan Recipe Without Yeast is an easy homemade version you can make instantly on a stovetop using a griddle (tawa) or cast-iron skillet. Soft, fluffy, and full of garlicky flavor — it’s perfect for pairing with any curry or stew.
The best part? You don’t need any yeast or long proofing time! The dough comes together in just 20 minutes, and the naan cooks in under 10 minutes — making it a quick, satisfying recipe for your next family dinner or weeknight meal. Once you try it fresh off the pan, you’ll never go back to takeout naan again!
I’ve always loved playing with dough to create different styles of flatbread for my family, and naan has always been their favorite. The garlicky aroma, soft chewy texture, and buttery blistered surface make it simply irresistible every single time.
If you love naan as much as I do, try these other delicious variations: Butter Naan (Roghni Naan) for that rich restaurant-style flavor, Keema Naan stuffed with juicy spiced meat, Tawa Naan made easily without a tandoor, and everyone’s favorite Aloo Naan (Potato-Stuffed Naan) for a comforting homemade twist.
👉 Explore more naan and flatbread recipes here!
Watch Recipe:
Jump to:
- What is Garlic Naan?
- Why You'll ❤️ This Recipe
- Ingredients & Their Purpose
- How to Make Garlic Naan Without Yeast (Step-by-Step)
- Pro Tips for Making Soft & Fluffy Garlic Naan
- What to Eat with Garlic Naan
- How to Store and Freeze Naan Bread
- Q & A
- More Naan Recipes
- Garlic Naan Recipe Without Yeast (Homemade is Best)
What is Garlic Naan?
Garlic Naan is a soft, fluffy Indian-style flatbread infused with fresh garlic and brushed with melted butter or ghee. Traditionally cooked in a tandoor (clay oven), it can easily be made at home on a stovetop or skillet with simple ingredients like flour, yogurt, and garlic. The result is a warm, garlicky bread with a slightly chewy texture and golden-brown blisters — perfect for scooping up curries, lentils, or enjoying on its own.
Making naan in the oven or tandoor is really easy! Today, I'm making this tasty homemade garlic naan directly on the stovetop. All you require is a standard stove with a flame burner and an iron skillet (Tawa). If you're new to this, there's no need to worry! You can easily follow this step-by-step guide to make it at home.
Why You'll ❤️ This Recipe
- No Yeast Needed: Skip the long proofing time — this naan is ready in minutes.
- Soft & Fluffy Texture: Yogurt in the dough makes it tender and pillowy.
- Burst of Garlic Flavor: Every bite is buttery, garlicky, and absolutely irresistible.
- Made on Stovetop: No tandoor, oven, or fancy tools required.
- Perfect for Any Meal: Serve it with curries, stews, soups, or enjoy as a snack.
- Family Favorite: An instant homemade bread that brings everyone to the table warm and smiling.
Ingredients & Their Purpose
The process of making naan begins with the dough, which must be perfect for the best results. This recipe features just five essential ingredients to create a soft dough that leads to wonderfully fluffy naan.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for the best, soft, and authentic garlic naan. It helps create that puffy and pillowy texture you love in restaurant-style naan.
- Baking Soda: Since this is an easy no-yeast recipe, baking soda acts as the leavening agent that gives the naan its light, bubbly, and slightly charred surface.
- Garlic Powder (or Fresh Garlic Paste): Infuses each naan with rich garlicky flavor — the highlight of this authentic homemade recipe.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the flavors.
- Ghee or Oil: Adds softness and richness, keeping the naan chewy yet tender. I used vegetable oil, but ghee brings a more traditional Indian flavor.
- Yogurt: Yogurt makes the dough soft, stretchy, and pillowy, giving the naan that signature texture without yeast.
- Water: Helps form a soft yet firm dough; add gradually while mixing.
- Topping: Brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with white sesame seeds for aroma, flavor, and a slightly nutty crunch.
Be sure to look at the recipe tips, which stem from my own best practices developed through countless tries in my kitchen. If this is your first time making naan, these tips will help you achieve excellent results right from the start.
How to Make Garlic Naan Without Yeast (Step-by-Step)
Making garlic naan involves a simple six-step process:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, garlic powder, yogurt, and oil. Mix well with your hands until crumbly, then gradually add water to form a soft and smooth dough. This step is the secret to a soft and pillowy naan texture.
2. Rest the Dough:
Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for 2 hours, or overnight for extremely best results.(The minimum resting time is 20 minutes). Resting helps the dough develop flavor and makes it easier to roll, giving that authentic bubbly naan texture when cooked.
3. Roll the Naan:
Once the dough is ready, knead it for a minute or two. Divide into small portions, roll into oval or round naan shapes. You can manage the naan thickness as per your choice. Make sure it should not be too thick or thin. Keep it in middle to get the best result. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Lightly moisten the underside of each naan with water to help it stick while cooking. (Watch video for better understanding)
4. Cook the Naan on Stovetop:
Heat an iron skillet or tawa (avoid nonstick). Once hot, place the naan on the skillet — water side down. As bubbles form, flip the skillet upside down over the flame to give it direct heat. Rotate gently to get that beautiful charred and puffy naan effect. Remove with tongs once golden.
5. Make Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, finely chopped garlic, and fresh cilantro or coriander. This aromatic garlic butter will elevate the naan’s flavor.
6. Apply Garlic Butter & Serve:
Brush the hot naan generously with garlic butter right after cooking. Serve warm for the best soft, fluffy, and garlicky naan bread experience — just like authentic restaurant-style naan, made easily at home!
Pro Tips for Making Soft & Fluffy Garlic Naan
Making perfect naan is a simple process but it requires few techniques to get the best results. I've experimented with naan countless times, and each attempt has taught me something new to enhance the flavor and texture. Here are some tips drawn from my experiences.
- Sift the Flour: Always sift your all-purpose flour before making the dough. This helps aerate the flour, resulting in a soft and fluffy naan even without yeast.
- Use Baking Soda & Yogurt Together: This combination works like magic — they act as natural leavening agents, helping the naan puff up beautifully and stay pillowy.
- Skip Baking Powder: While some recipes use baking powder, I’ve found it makes the naan slightly cakey. Baking soda + yogurt gives the perfect chewy texture.
- For Extra Fluffiness: If your naan isn’t turning out as soft as you’d like, you can add 1 teaspoon of instant yeast for every 3 cups of flour.
- Soft Dough is Key: Make sure your dough is soft, smooth, and well-kneaded before resting. This ensures a pliable texture that’s easy to roll and cook.
- Rest in a Warm Place: Let the dough rise in a warm area — your oven or microwave (switched off) works great to maintain consistent warmth.
- Cook on Iron Skillet: For the best results, use a cast iron skillet or tawa. It helps the naan stick and develop those beautiful charred bubbles. Nonstick pans don’t grip the dough well, making it harder to cook over direct heat.
- No Cast Iron? No Problem: You can still make perfect naan on a nonstick pan — just hold it over the flame with tongs or flip the naan to cook both sides evenly.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Once cooked, immediately brush each naan with garlic-infused butter. It locks in moisture, adds shine, and makes the naan irresistibly soft and flavorful.
What to Eat with Garlic Naan
Garlic naan is incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes:
- Indian Curries: Chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, Chicken Karahi, Korma, Palak Chicken and Beef masala.
- Soups & Stews: Cream of Mushroom soup, Chicken corn soup, lentil soup, mulligatawny soup or hearty vegetable stew.
- Grilled or Roasted Dishes: Oven-baked chicken, Lamb chops, or kebabs.
- Snacks & Appetizers: Cut into wedges and serve with cheese dip, hummus, or yogurt raita.
- Creative Pairings: Spread with garlic butter and use as a base for mini pizzas or wraps.
💡 Tip: Serve naan warm for the softest, fluffiest bite. Brushing with extra garlic butter just before serving enhances the flavor and makes it irresistible!
How to Store and Freeze Naan Bread
Storing at Room Temperature:
- Let the naan cool completely, then store in an airtight container or zip-lock bag.
- It will stay soft and fresh for 1–2 days.
Refrigeration:
- Keep naan in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheat on a skillet or in the oven to restore softness.
Freezing:
- Allow the naan to cool completely.
- Wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe bag.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat directly from frozen on a skillet, griddle, or oven until warm and soft.
Tip: Brush with a little butter or garlic butter after reheating to bring back that freshly-cooked flavor and softness.
Q & A
Yes, you can also use wheat flour. The outcome may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious and nutritious.
Yes, you can bake naan in the oven. However, naan cooked in a skillet resembles authentic tandoori naan more closely, as it develops bubbles during the cooking process.
Yes, you can incorporate yeast into the dough, but it's preferable to use yogurt and a small amount of baking powder instead. If you opt for instant yeast, roll the naan thinly, as it will expand significantly while cooking.
Naan can become hard if it is rolled too thin, cooked at excessively high temperatures, or if the dough isn't kneaded or allowed to rise properly. If your naan is hard, cover it immediately after applying butter; the steam will help soften it.
Use yogurt in the dough.
Knead well to make it smooth.
Rest the dough in a warm place.
Cook on medium-high heat and brush with butter or garlic butter immediately.
Yes, you can omit yogurt from the dough or replace it with soy yogurt or buttermilk. Yogurt helps to add structure to the naan. If you decide to skip it, make sure to include baking soda and baking powder to achieve a soft, fluffy texture.
Absolutely! Store-bought pizza or naan dough works well. Skip the yeast proofing step and roll it out before cooking.
More Naan Recipes
🥣 Do You want to make this Garlic naan without yeast?
⭐ Rate this recipe below
💬 Drop your questions in the comments
📲 Follow along on Instagram for more recipes.
Garlic Naan Recipe Without Yeast (Homemade is Best)
Equipment
- Iron Skillet
Ingredients
For Naan Dough (No Yeast)
- 3 cups All Purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ teaspoon Baking soda
- ⅓ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 tablespoon Yogurt
- 100 ml Water
For Topping
- ½ teaspoon Sesame (Black & White)
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- ½ teaspoon Freshly Grated Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Freshly Chopped Corriander
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, garlic powder, yogurt, and oil. Mix well with your hands until crumbly, then gradually add water to form a soft and smooth dough. This step is the secret to a soft and pillowy naan texture.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for 2 hours, or overnight for best results. (The minimum resting time is 20 minutes). Resting helps the dough develop flavor and makes it easier to roll, giving that authentic bubbly naan texture when cooked.
- Roll the Naan: Once the dough is ready, knead it for a minute or two. Divide into small portions, roll into oval or round naan shapes. You can manage the naan thickness as per your choice. Make sure it should not be too thick or thin. Keep it in middle to get the best result. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
- Lightly moisten the underside of each naan with water to help it stick while cooking. (Watch video for better understanding)
- Cook the Naan on Stovetop: Heat an iron skillet or tawa (avoid nonstick). Once hot, place the naan on the skillet — water side down. As bubbles form, flip the skillet upside down over the flame to give it direct heat. Rotate gently to get that beautiful charred and puffy naan effect. Remove with tongs once golden.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, finely chopped garlic, and fresh cilantro or coriander. This aromatic garlic butter will elevate the naan’s flavor.
- Apply Garlic Butter & Serve: Brush the hot naan generously with garlic butter right after cooking. Serve warm for the best soft, fluffy, and garlicky naan bread experience — just like authentic restaurant-style naan, made easily at home!
Video
Notes
- Sift the Flour: Always sift your all-purpose flour before making the dough. This helps aerate the flour, resulting in a soft and fluffy naan even without yeast.
- Use Baking Soda & Yogurt Together: This combination works like magic — they act as natural leavening agents, helping the naan puff up beautifully and stay pillowy.
- Skip Baking Powder: While some recipes use baking powder, I’ve found it makes the naan slightly cakey. Baking soda + yogurt gives the perfect chewy texture.
- For Extra Fluffiness: If your naan isn’t turning out as soft as you’d like, you can add 1 teaspoon of instant yeast for every 3 cups of flour.
- Soft Dough is Key: Make sure your dough is soft, smooth, and well-kneaded before resting. This ensures a pliable texture that’s easy to roll and cook.
- Rest in a Warm Place: Let the dough rise in a warm area — your oven or microwave (switched off) works great to maintain consistent warmth.
- Cook on Iron Skillet: For the best results, use a cast iron skillet or tawa. It helps the naan stick and develop those beautiful charred bubbles. Nonstick pans don’t grip the dough well, making it harder to cook over direct heat.
- No Cast Iron? No Problem: You can still make perfect naan on a nonstick pan — just hold it over the flame with tongs or flip the naan to cook both sides evenly.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Once cooked, immediately brush each naan with garlic-infused butter. It locks in moisture, adds shine, and makes the naan irresistibly soft and flavorful.
Hinz
It's easy to make restaurant style Garlic Naan bread at home. Handful ingredients and iron skillet will help to make delicious naan to serve on dinner or lunch.
Ashley
This recipe is a keeper! I used milk kefir instead of yoghurt, and it worked out great. I also didn't have a cast iron skillet or an open flame oven so I just used my cast iron wok instead on a really hot element stovetop and that still worked great, just flip the naan over halfway and toast it for 30 seconds. Tastes exactly like at an authentic restaurant 10/10
Hinz
Thanks, Ashley for sharing your experience! Stay connected for more recipes...