Enjoy this soft, chewy whole wheat naan recipe with your next meal or your favorite dip. This recipe is a healthy, authentic old-world bread that can be stuffed with your favorite sandwich fillings. It also goes perfect with hummus and classic roasted red pepper spread.
What is whole wheat naan?
Traditionally, naan (pronounced nahn ) was leavened by airborne yeasts and baked in a tandoor oven. Slapped on the hot side of the oven, naan puffs, browns, and takes on a smoky flavor, all in about 60 seconds. In my more modern kitchen, I used a cast iron pan heated over high heat.
Why use whole wheat?
I freshly grind my wheat and do not use any white flour in the recipe. Using 100% whole wheat packs the nutrition of all three components of the wheat kernel. The outer rough layer of the grain, the bran, is valuable for its fiber; the wheat germ of the seed is high in nutrients; and the majority of the grain, called the endosperm, is a good source of carbohydrates.
Is it healthy?
During the processing process, whole wheat flour has the most nutrients part of the wheat kernel left intact: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. Essentially, these are the layers of the wheat berry, which hold all of the vitamins and minerals.
On the other hand, if you use plain white flour, only the endosperm is intact. This basically strips the wheat berry of most of its nutrition so that all you’re left with is the starchy layer that gives bread that deliciously addicting flavor.
Naan is about the same as bread nutrition-wise. The use of whole wheat flour and coconut yogurt makes this bread so healthy.
Roti is an unleavened flatbread made of whole wheat flour. It is light and has no filling, and is served as a scoop for veggies and dips. On the other hand, naan is a leavened flatbread that is more bubbly and heavier than roti.
Wheat naan without yeast
I first made this recipe without yeast. Just follow the recipe omitting the addition of yeast. The only difference you might see is the bread is flatter and has fewer bubbles. Be careful not to overwork the bread. This will make it flatter when cooking. Technically this will not be naan but roti.
Is it vegan?
This recipe is vegan, for the dairy, plain coconut milk yogurt is substituted for cow’s milk yogurt.
What to serve with naan
Typically, this whole wheat naan recipe is served hot and brushed with butter. It can be used to scoop other foods, such as my Roasted Red Pepper Spread recipe. It would also go great alongside Curried Coconut Chicken.
This whole wheat naan is the perfect dipping bread for hummus. Try one of these unique recipes at your next party.
- Black Eyed Pea Hummus Recipe
- Cauliflower Hummus
- Lima Bean Hummus
- Best Garlic Hummus Recipe
- Boiled Peanut Hummus
Instruction tips
Tips for kneading
The easiest way to knead naan is with a KitchenAid standing mixer using the dough hook. Knead the dough for 8 mins in the stand mixer. Then add the oil and knead again for 4 more mins.
Coated Dough Hook for KitchenAid
How to roll out the dough
Use kitchen scales to weigh and divide into even-sized balls, about .75 ounces each. Roll out and gently pull each ball into 7 inches rounds.
Make sure that the dough has even thickness and is not rolled out too thin. It needs to be about 1/4 inch thick. Otherwise, it won’t puff and be soft.
Why is my naan dough sticky?
When working with the dough and find it sticky, lightly dust both the dough and your hands with flour. Work in the flour quickly, being careful not to overwork the dough. It will become stiff.
How to bake
First, get your cast iron skillet hot on medium-high heat before placing the first naan in. When you are ready to cook the naan, turn down the heat to medium and add the first naan. Make sure you dust off any excess flour before you do so.
The bread will almost instantly start to bubble and start to puff up. When this happens, turn the bread over and cook the other side. You may have to adjust the heat from time to time to prevent burning.
Stack the naan on top of each other as they are finished cooking. Keep them wrapped in a kitchen towel, so they stay warm.
What is a tandoor oven?
A tandoor oven is basically a clay oven fired by charcoal or wood and can reach temperatures as high as 480°C. When used to make naan bread, the dough is slapped to the inside of the clay. The high heat inside the oven makes the dough puff, expand, and giving it a distinctive blistered look.
Why use a cast iron skillet?
Naan is known for its golden brown toasted bubbles that are dotted over the bread. To achieve this, it was traditional to make it in a tandoor oven. A cast-iron skillet will be the best choice to properly cook the naan if you do not have a tandoor oven.
Flavoring ideas
Try mixing in your dough some of these flavorful items.
- minced sauteed garlic
- diced onions that have been sauteed
- raisins
- shredded cheese
- coriander seeds
- sesame seeds
How to reheat
Fresh: Wrap naan in aluminum foil and place in a 250 oven. Heat thoroughly for about 15 minutes.
Frozen: If your naan bread is frozen, then set it out to defrost on your counter for an hour or so. Then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and place in a warm oven to heat.
Can I freeze homemade naan?
It’s a great idea to keep some extra naan ready to serve in your freezer. First, allow the bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic food wrap or parchment paper. Next, place into a freezer bag and seal tightly. Label and date it before freezing. It can be frozen for up to six months.
Whole Wheat Naan Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast, not instant active dry yeast or rapid-rise yeast
- 3 teaspoons sugar, divided
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour, plus more for rolling
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons plain coconut milk yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar with 3/4 cup warm water (about 100°F). Let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes
- While yeast is proofing, in a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar, flour, salt and baking soda
- Once the yeast is frothy, add the yogurt and olive oil( if you are kneading by hand) to it and whisk to combine. Pour the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients and mix the dough together
- When the dough starts to come together, dust your hand with flour and knead gently into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
- If using a KitchenAid mixer to knead then knead the dough for 8 mins in the stand mixer. Then add the oil and knead again for 4 more mins.
- Lightly oil or spray a clean bowl, large enough so the dough can double in size, with nonstick cooking spray Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Let sit in a warm place for 1.5-3 hours, or until about doubled in size
- Dust a work surface with some of flour and dump the dough on top. Sprinkle some of the flour on top of the dough and on your hands. Shape the dough into a long rectangle and cut into 6 equal portions, dusting with more flour as necessary so the dough doesn’t stick
- Roll each portion of dough into a ball, dusting with flour to keep them from sticking.
- Warm a large heavy nonstick pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Using a rolling pin, roll one of the dough balls into an oval shape about 1/8-inch thick
- Gently place the dough in the dry skillet and cook until the top is bursting with air bubbles and the bottom is golden and blackened in spots, a few minutes
- Flip the naan and cook about 1-2 minutes more until the bottom is lightly browned and blistered in spots. Remove the naan from the skillet and brush with a little olive oil or butter if desired
- Repeat cooking the remaining dough balls in the same way.
- Serve warm