Naan

Naan is a soft, fluffy flatbread that comes from South Asia. It is especially popular in India and Pakistan. Naan is traditionally baked by sticking the dough to the inside wall of a very hot clay oven called a tandoor. The bread puffs up and gets slightly charred, giving it a delicious smoky flavor.

How Naan Is Made

Naan dough is made from flour, water, yeast, and yogurt. The yogurt makes the bread extra soft and tender. The dough is shaped into flat, teardrop-shaped pieces. In a tandoori oven, the dough is stuck to the hot inner walls. The intense heat cooks the naan in just a few minutes. After baking, naan is often brushed with melted butter or garlic butter.

Types of Naan

There are many delicious types of naan. Garlic naan is topped with minced garlic and butter. Cheese naan has cheese stuffed inside. Peshwari naan is filled with coconut, almonds, and raisins for a sweet twist. Keema naan has spiced ground meat inside. Plain naan is perfect for scooping up curry and dal.

Fun Facts

• A tandoor oven can reach temperatures over 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The word naan comes from a Persian word meaning bread.
• Naan has been made in India for hundreds of years and was once a food for royalty.

Did You Know?

A tandoor oven is so hot that naan only takes about 60 to 90 seconds to bake!