Gluten-free naan bread recipe is super easy. With just a few ingredients and a hot skillet or oven, your naan bread will be ready in no time.
What is Naan?
Naan is a type of flatbread that originated in South Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. It is a staple food in many Indian, Pakistani, Afghan, and Iranian cuisines. The word “naan” is derived from the Persian word “nan,” which means bread.
Traditionally, naan is made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and sometimes yogurt or milk.
The dough is typically leavened with yeast or baking powder, resulting in a soft, fluffy texture when cooked.
Naan is typically cooked in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay oven heated by charcoal or wood fire. The intense heat of the tandoor allows the naan to cook quickly, puffing up and developing a slightly charred exterior while remaining soft and chewy inside.
Gluten free naan bread ingredients
- Gluten-free flour blend: Instead of traditional wheat flour, gluten-free naan recipes use a combination of alternative flours such as rice flour, almond flour, tapioca flour, or a pre-made gluten-free flour blend. These flours provide the structure and texture necessary for the naan without containing gluten.
- Instant yeast: To help the dough rise and achieve a soft, fluffy texture, gluten-free baking powder or yeast is used. These leavening agents create air bubbles in the dough, resulting in a lighter texture.
- Warm water or dairy-free milk: Similar to traditional naan recipes, gluten-free naan dough requires a liquid component to hydrate the flour and activate the leavening agents.
- Melted dairy-free butter or oil: Just like traditional naan, gluten-free naan dough benefits from the richness and flavor provided by melted butter or oil. Dairy-free alternatives such as coconut oil or vegan butter can be used to achieve a similar result.
- Additional toppings: Garlic, herbs, or seeds can be added to gluten-free naan dough to enhance its flavor and appearance. These toppings provide a delicious finishing touch to the naan.
How to make gluten-free naan bread
Ingredients
Time needed: 2 hours
To be sincere, making naan bread is very easy. Follow the steps below.
- Start by activating yeast
Take a small mixing bowl. Add in yeast, sugar and warm water. Alternatively, you can use warm milk if available. If vegan, opt for plant based milk such as oat milk, almond etc. Stir to mix. Keep it aside for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix together dry ingredients
In a separate large bowl add in gluten free flour and salt. Mix to combine.
- Combine Wet and Dry ingredients together
Pour the activated yeast mixture and olive oil or melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
- Kneed your dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (use more gluten-free flour blend if needed) and knead it gently for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Rise the dough
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your non-stick skillet
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Roll, divide and Shape the dough
Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a circle or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cook the naan
Place the rolled-out dough onto the preheated skillet or griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown and bubbles form on the surface. Brush with melted butter or oil and sprinkle with optional toppings if desired.
- Serve
Serve the gluten-free naan bread warm, either on its own or with your favorite curry or dipping sauce.
What to serve with naan bread
Naan can be enjoyed plain or flavored with various toppings such as garlic, butter, herbs, or seeds like nigella or sesame. It is often served alongside curries, kebabs, or other dishes, used to scoop up sauces, or even stuffed with fillings like minced meat or cheese.
How to store naan bread
Can be refrigerated or frozen. Frozen naan bread can last longer and saves you time.
Recipe
Gluten Free Naan Bread Recipe
Course: Breakfast, DinnerCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Beginner4
servings1
hour30
minutes30
minutes2
hoursSoft, chewy, and fluffy gluten-free naan bread step by step guide
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour( gluten-free)
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons plain yogurt (optional)
2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee (for dough)
Additional melted butter or ghee for brushing (optional)
Optional toppings: minced garlic, chopped cilantro, nigella seeds, sesame seeds
Directions
- Activate yeast
- Take a small mixing bowl. Add in yeast, sugar and warm water. Alternatively, you can use warm milk if available. If vegan, opt for plant based milk such as oat milk, almond etc. Stir to mix. Keep it aside for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate large bowl add in gluten free flour and salt. Mix to combine.
- Combine Wet and Dry ingredients together
- Pour the activated yeast mixture and olive oil or melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
- Kneed the dough
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (use more gluten-free flour blend if needed) and knead it gently for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Rise the dough
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Roll, shape and divide the dough
- Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a circle or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Preheat non stick skillet and cook your naan
- Place the rolled-out dough onto the preheated skillet or griddle. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown and bubbles form on the surface. Brush with melted butter or oil and sprinkle with optional toppings if desired
- Serve and enjoy
- Serve the gluten-free naan bread warm, either on its own or with your favorite curry or dipping sauce.
