This recipe of Butter Naan does not require a traditional tandoor (a clay oven) to cook it. It is also a simpler and healthier version that is made with whole wheat flour and is brushed with butter before serving.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 120 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 150 minutes
  • Yield: 14 · 14 Butter Naans
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: North Indian

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole wheat flour ((atta))
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup water (or as required)
  • 3 to 4 tablespoon curd ((yogurt))
  • 2 tablespoons butter (- softened, unsalted or salted)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (or as required)
  • butter (- softened or melted, as required, for brushing on the naan, unsalted or salted)

Method

Making Buttery Dough

  1. In a bowl, take the instant yeast, sugar. Add water and stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar and yeast granules.
  2. Then add 1 cup whole wheat flour and stir or whisk it with the rest of the yeast mixture.
  3. Cover and keep aside to leaven for 40 to 45 minutes.
  4. Then add the remaining whole wheat flour, salt, softened butter and curd/yogurt. Knead to a soft, pliable and smooth dough.
  5. If the dough become sticky, add a few tablespoons of flour and knead again. If its dry, then add some more water.
  6. Cover the naan dough and keep aside for 25 to 30 minutes.
  7. Divide the dough into medium balls.
  8. Give a resting time for the dough balls for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cover and keep aside.

Assembling and Rolling

  1. Lightly dust the dough balls with some flour.
  2. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds or nigella seeds on the dough ball and then roll it.
  3. Roll into a small to medium sized rounds of medium thickness.

Cooking butter naan

  1. Place the rolled flat bread on a hot tawa or flat skillet. Keep the heat to medium-high to high.
  2. When the bottom is partly cooked, flip. You will see many air pockets on the naan.
  3. When the second side is half cooked, remove the naan with a pair of tongs and place the side which was cooked first facing the fire.
  4. The naan may puff up. Flip and brown the second side also. Ensure the naan is cooked well but don't over roast it.
  5. Place the hot naan in a roti basket or casserole. Spread some softened butter on top.
  6. Make all butter naans this way in batches. If not serving straight away, then stack them in the roti basket.
  7. Or else you can serve Butter Naan immediately.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.