Naan Bread (The Best Recipe!) - Naan - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Is yeast or baking powder better for naan? ›

Naan is essentially a leavened flatbread, which means it contains some form of raising agent to provide its airy texture. Hence for this naan, the raising agent we will be using is yeast. Other variations do exist which may utilise self raising flour or baking powder/baking soda.

Simply put, naan is more nutrient-dense than pita or white bread. While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber.

OR just make a double batch of this naan so you can use one whole egg! 3. Flour – Bread flour makes the softest, fluffiest naan. But all-purpose/plain flour is very nearly as good.

Roti is generally considered healthier than naan. Roti is lower in calories and contains zero saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. In contrast, naan tends to be higher in calories and may contain added fats. For a healthier choice, roti is often preferred, especially by those conscious of their dietary intake.

Naan, on the other hand, tends to be higher in calories and lower in fiber due to its ingredients like refined flour, butter, and sometimes sugar.

The extra protein from the yogurt eliminates the importance of advanced gluten development. The yogurt also adds some fat. The fat keeps the dough nice and soft and prevents the naan from hardening too much during the cooking process.

Our bakers shape it into a ball and slap it on the walls of our tandoor (clay oven). Traditional Naan consists of flour, salt, yeast and yogurt to make a smooth and elastic dough. After cooking, it can be served with a filling or it can also be dipped in different sauces.

That's right, sorry dear vegetarians! Many restaurants, be it small or big, make it a point to add eggs to their dough for preparing Naan, this gives the Naan a perfect texture and also gives it that perfect chewy-ness that combines well with your gravy.

Naan is usually made from Maida ( whitest form of flour) which is not quite good for health. On the daily basis, if consumed, it can give rise to many stomach disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It can kill your appetite giving rise to many undesirable health issues.

As stated earlier, naan is high in fat, and specifically high in saturated fats. Pita on the other hand is considered to be a low fat food. Naan does have other benefits, including a higher protein content which will keep you fuller for longer and curb cravings.

What do we call naan in English? ›

Word forms: plural naans. variable noun. Naan or naan bread is a type of bread that comes in a large, round, flat piece and is usually eaten with Indian food.

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

The most visible difference between Indian and Afghani naans comes next with the process of shaping and dressing. From my experience, Afghan naan is made in larger portions, so I divided this batch of dough into only three pieces that I pressed down into a rough oval. Then, working with one piece of dough at a time.

On the other hand, butter naan is prepared similarly to plain naan but is brushed with melted butter or ghee (clarified butter) after being cooked in the tandoor, giving it a rich and buttery flavor. So, the addition of butter or ghee is what sets butter naan apart from plain naan.

Naan is a flatbread, whereas bread comes in loaves. Naan is higher in fat, protein, and carbohydrates than loaf bread. The higher protein content of naan will allow you to feel fuller for longer and curve cravings.

But what if I told you, there's actually a superior naan saved for special occasions in Pakistan called "Roghni Naan"? Roghni Naan is softer, thicker, and richer than plain naan, has a beautiful golden shine on it, and is covered with sesame seeds which add more texture and flavor to it.