Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (2024)

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This Naan Recipe without Yogurt is naturally vegan and dairy-free and is made with just 7 ingredients! It's a fool-proof recipe that is super easy to make even for beginners. This homemade naan is light, fluffy, flaky, and delicious.

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (1)

This Naan Recipe without Yogurt is just as good, if not better than what you'll find in most Indian restaurants. It has all of the characteristics of a good naan, it's soft, pillowy, perfectly charred, and fluffy, AND it's completely vegan!

Once you make this, it will become your favorite recipe for naan and you will never go back to the store-bought stuff.

Serve with garam masala curry, eggplant curry, white bean stew, or shakshuka.

Jump to:
  • What is naan?
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients and Notes
  • How to Make This Naan Recipe without Yogurt
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQ
  • Serving
  • Storage
  • Similar Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Food safety

What is naan?

Naan is a popular leavened flatbread made with basic ingredients like flour, yeast, salt, and water. It's eaten primarily in India, as well as in Western and Central Asia.

Naan is different from pita bread, as it can't be stuffed (as pita bread usually is), but is rather served as a side dish for curries, soup, and stews.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Made with simple ingredients. This naan recipe without yogurt is made with 7 ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now.
  • Restaurant-worthy. It has all the best textures. It's light, fluffy, and pillowy in some parts, and crispy and flaky in others.
  • Vegan and dairy-free. No yogurt, butter, or other dairy products are needed.
  • Perfect as a side dish or for a snack. Naan bread is versatile and it can be served with main dishes, as well as as a snack.

Ingredients and Notes

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (2)
  • Flour: Make sure to use white all-purpose flour for the fluffiest and softest naan. I haven't tried this recipe with whole wheat flour so I can't guarantee results.
  • Yeast: It's important to use dry yeast, not fresh yeast. This will be our leavening agent which will help the bread to rise and get fluffy.
  • Non-dairy milk: I think soy and almond milk work best in this recipe.
  • Sugar: A little bit of sugar helps feed the yeast, which will activate it and help the dough rise faster.
  • Salt: To season the naan.
  • Olive oil: You'll need it both for making the dough and for greasing your hands while kneading.
  • Warm water: It's very important that your water is lukewarm (around 100-110ºF), and not hot. Hot water will kill the yeast the dough won't rise.
  • Lemon juice (optional): If you want to add a little bit of tanginess, as yogurt does.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

How to Make This Naan Recipe without Yogurt

  1. Bloom the yeast. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in lukewarm water. At the yeast and whisk until it dissolves as well. Set it aside for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly.
  2. In the meant time, in a large mixing bowl, measure the flour and stir in the salt. When the yeast is ready, add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients, alongside the olive oil, almond milk, and lemon juice if using. (If you don't want to mix the dough by hand, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook).
Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (3)
Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (4)

3. Make the naan dough. Using a fork, mix until the dough becomes sticky so that you can't continue with the fork anymore. Then grease your hands and mix until the dough forms into a bowl.

4. Knead the dough. Transfer the dough to a clean surface and grease your hands again. Start kneading it for 5-6 minutes, or until it becomes smooth, elastic, and soft. At first, it may stick to the counter and your hands, but don't worry, just keep greasing your hands and kneading. Just don't add more flour!

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (5)
Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (6)

5. Rise the dough.After a few minutes, the dough should be no longer sticky. Grease a large bowl with some oil and transfer the dough. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Set it aside in a warm place for at least90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. If it's a particularly cold day, put the bowl in the oven and turn on the light.

6. After rising, lightly punch down the dough to release air. Then grease your hands, and knead it for 1-2 minutes, or until it forms a smooth ball again. Using a knife or a bench scraper, divide the dough into 8 balls (make sure to not tear the dough, but to cut it).

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (7)
Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (8)

7. Proof the dough. Transfer the dough balls to a plate, and rest for 30 minutes to rise a second time.

8. Roll each ball. Sprinkle some flour onto a clean surface. Using a rolling pin, roll each dough ball into an oval shape about 8″ long and 5″ wide (20 cm x 13 cm). Roll from the center to the edges, instead of rolling back and forth at the same spot. Dampen your finger in water and pat some all over one side of the dough. This will help it stick to the pan.

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (9)
Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (10)

9. Cook the naan. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Using damp fingers, carefully transfer the dough to hot the skillet, watered side down. Cook for 40-60 seconds, or until bubbles appear all over the naan.

Flip the naan and cover the skillet with a lid to steam it. Cook for 30 more seconds, then transfer to a plate. Repeat the same process with the rest of the dough, making sure to lower the heat if the bread starts charring too quickly.

This naan recipe without yogurt is best served right away, while it's still warm!

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (11)

Expert Tips

  • Test your yeast before starting. It's super important to make sure you're using fresh yeast. To test that, In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon sugar with ½ cup lukewarm water until dissolved. Add two teaspoons of active dry yeast and mix that as well. Set it aside for 10 minutes. If the yeast is active and fresh, it should expand and become foamy and bubbly. If not, it's expired and you'll need new yeast.
  • Use lukewarm water to activate the yeast. Cold water won't activate the yeast and hot water will kill it. Make sure your water is between 100-110ºF (38-43ºC).
  • Use a digital scale. It's essential to be as accurate as possible with the measurement when making yeast dough. If you're using cups to measure the flour, it's easy to end up adding more than needed, which will result in a dry and tough naan.
  • Give the dough enough time to rise. This is important to end up with fluffy and light naan bread with air pockets inside. If the dough has not risen properly, you'll end up with flat naan bread.
  • Don't add more flour while kneading. When making this naan recipe without yogurt, you'll notice that the dough will be very sticky at first. Don't be quick to add more flour, as this will make the naan dry! Continue greasing your hands and kneading, and the dough will eventually become smooth and elastic.
  • Oil your hands as needed. As mentioned in the previous tip, instead of adding flour to prevent the dough from sticking, oil your hands regularly.
  • Roll out the dough thin. If the dough is too thick it will prevent the naan from forming air pockets while cooking. Those air pockets are exactly what make this naan recipe without yogurt light and fluffy.
  • Make sure your pan is hot enough. If you're using a cast-iron skillet, you'll need to preheat it for about 5 minutes, or until it's nearly smoking. Medium heat is not enough to make the naan bubble. To test if the pan is hot enough, add a few drops of water. If they disappear right away, your pan is ready.
  • Use a cast-iron skillet. Naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoori oven, which gives it that charred and smoky flavor. The closes thing you can use at home is a cast-iron skillet. A non-stick pan won't give you the same results.

FAQ

What can I use instead of yogurt in naan?

This naan recipe without yogurt uses non-dairy milk (such as almond milk) instead of yogurt to make light and fluffy naan.

Can you make naan without yogurt?

Yes! You can easily make naan without yogurt by using water or non-dairy milk in place of the yogurt. The only thing to keep in mind is that the ratio of flour to liquid will change.

What does the yogurt do in naan?

The yogurt makes the naan soft and fluffy and usually, there is no need of kneading the dough. However, this naan recipe without yogurt turns out just as delicious and soft.

How to store leftover naan?

Although it's best served right away, you can store leftovers for later. Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to aziptop bagor anairtight container, and store itat room temperature for 1-2 days, orin the fridge for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze naan?

Yes. Let it cool to room temperature, then wrap each piece of naan in foil and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (12)

Serving

This Naan Recipe without Yogurt can easily be turned into garlic naan by mixing melted butter with minced garlic in a bowl and brushing it all over.

It makes the perfect side dish alongside recipes like garam masala curry, eggplant curry, white bean stew, and shakshuka. It can also be served with soups such as potato leek soup, roasted garlic cauliflower soup, and sweet potato soup.

If you want to serve naan as a snack, I suggest pairing it with hummus, guacamole, or white bean dip.

Storage

Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to aziptop bagor anairtight container, and store itat room temperature for 1-2 days, orin the fridge for 3-4 days.

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (13)

Similar Recipes

  • Easy Garlic Ciabatta Bread Recipe
  • Homemade Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe

📖 Recipe

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (16)

Naan Recipe without Yogurt

This Naan Recipe without Yogurt is naturally vegan and dairy-free and is made with just 7 ingredients! It's a fool-proof recipe that is super easy to make even for beginners. This homemade naan is light, fluffy, flaky, and delicious.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Dairy-free, Indian, Vegan

Keyword: homemade naan, naan, naan recipe, naan without yogurt, vegan naan

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Rising time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 pieces

Author: Petranka

Equipment

  • Rolling Pin

  • Casti-iron skillet

  • Mixing bowls

  • Thermometer optional

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (125 ml) lukewarm water (100-110ºF)
  • 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ tbsp (37 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil plus more for greasing your hands
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for adding tanginess)

Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions

  • Bloom the yeast.In asmall bowl, dissolve the sugar in lukewarm water. At the yeast and whisk until it dissolves as well. Set it aside for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly. If that doesn't happen, your yeast is expired and you need new one.

  • In the meant time, in alarge mixing bowl, measure the flour and stir in the salt. When the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients, alongside the olive oil, almond milk, and lemon juice if using. (If you don't want to mix the dough by hand, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook).

  • Using afork, mix until the dough becomes so sticky that you can't continue with the fork anymore. Then grease your hands and mix until the dough forms into a bowl.

  • Transfer the dough to a clean surface and grease your hands again. Start kneading it for5-6 minutes, or until it becomessmooth,elastic, andsoft. At first, it may stick to the counter and your hands, but don't worry, just keep greasing your hands and kneading. Justdon't add more flour!

  • Rise the dough.After a few minutes, the dough should be no longer sticky. Grease a large bowl with some oil and transfer the dough (I use the same bowl from before and wash it). Cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Set it aside in a warm place for at least90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. If it's a particularly cold day, put the bowl in the oven and turn on the light.

  • After rising, lightly punch down the dough to release air. Then grease your hands, and knead it for 1-2 minutes, or until it forms a smooth ball again. Using a knife or a bench scraper, divide the dough into 8 balls (make sure to not tear the dough, but to cut it).

  • Proof the dough.Transfer the dough balls to a plate or a piece of parchment paper, and rest for20 to 30 minutesto rise a second time.

  • When ready, sprinkle a little bit of flour onto a clean surface. Using arolling pin, roll each dough ball into an oval shape about 8″ long and 5″ wide (20 cm x 13 cm). Roll from the center to the edges, instead of rolling back and forth at the same spot. Dampen your finger in water and pat some all over one side of the dough. This will help it stick to the pan.

  • Heat acast-iron skilletover medium-high heat, for about 5 minutes. To test if the pan is hot enough, add a few drops of water. If they disappear right away, your pan is ready. Using damp fingers, carefully transfer the dough to hot the skillet, watered side down. Cook for 40-60 seconds, or until bubbles appear all over the naan.

  • Flip the naan and cover the skillet with a lid to steam it. Cook for 30 more seconds, then transfer to a plate. Repeat the same process with the rest of the dough, making sure to lower the heat if the bread starts charring too quickly. Serve warm!

Notes

  • Use lukewarm water to activate the yeast.Cold water won't activate the yeast and hot water will kill it. Make sure your water is between 100-110ºF (38-43ºC).
  • Use adigital scale.It's essential to be as accurate as possible with the measurement when making yeast dough. If you're using cups to measure the flour, it's easy to end up adding more than needed, which will result in a dry and tough naan.
  • Give the dough enough time to rise.This is important in order to end up with fluffy and light naan bread with air pockets inside. If the dough has not risen properly, you'll end up with flat naan bread.
  • Don't add more flour while kneading.The dough can be very sticky at first but don't be quick to add more flour. This will just make the naan dry! Continue greasing your hands and kneading, and the dough will eventually become smooth and elastic.
  • Oil your hands as needed.As mentioned in the previous tip, instead of adding flour to prevent the dough from sticking, oil your hands regularly.
  • Roll out the dough thin.If the dough is too thick it will prevent the naan from forming air pockets while cooking. Those air pockets are exactly what make this naan recipe without yogurt light and fluffy.
  • Use acast-iron skillet.Naan is traditionally cooked in atandoori oven, which gives it that charred and smoky flavor. The closest thing you can use at home is a cast-iron skillet. A non-stick pan won't give you the same results.

Storage

Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to aziptop bagor anairtight container, and store itat room temperature for 1-2 days, orin the fridge for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to2 months.

*This recipe was adapted from Rainbow Plant Life's vegan naan recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1naan | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

Food safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Naan Recipe without Yogurt (Vegan) (2024)

FAQs

What can I use in place of yogurt for naan? ›

You can add sour cream for similar consistency, though it change to taste, but I think the change would taste good. You could use milk instead, though use less that you would of yogurt, with the milk add some dry milk.

Why does naan need yogurt? ›

Salt could be optional if you are having naan with a curry. (Cause curry usually has salt and the bread might not need it). Variations like milk or yogurt is used instead of water to make dough soft and fluffy. This would change the texture and flavor of the bread.

What is vegan naan made of? ›

So, really, all you need to make great naan is: flour, salt, yeast, water, and oil. The only “specialty” ingredient you need is a few tablespoons of vegan butter for brushing on at the end (please don't skip that part, and make it even better by grating fresh garlic into the butter for garlic naan).

Why is my naan bread not fluffy? ›

Rolling Vs stretching dough: Naan is always hand stretched and not rolled with a rolling pin. Sometimes rolling toughens the dough and suppresses the bubbles making dense flatbreads. Hand stretched naan have a lovely fluffy & light texture.

What is a substitute for yogurt in flatbread? ›

The take-away: In a pinch, substitute buttermilk, or milk that has been spiked with a little lemon juice or vinegar (aka homemade buttermilk) and use 1/4 less milk than the amount of yogurt called for in the recipe.

Can I use milk instead of plain yogurt? ›

You can substitute dairy products pretty much 1:1, but if you're using Greek yogurt you may want to thin it with milk or water. You can also substitute almond or coconut milk, buttermilk, sour cream (though that would also need to be thinned).

Is naan better with or without yogurt? ›

Milk, and dairy in general, will give the naan a soft, more tender crumb than water alone, but I'm not sure you want to go too far down that road, as you risk sacrificing that aforementioned chewy texture. A little yoghurt for tang and richness, mixed with rather more water, seems a good compromise.

What can replace plain yogurt in a recipe? ›

Best Yogurt Substitutes for Baking
  1. Sour Cream. Sour cream, especially full-fat sour cream, is a great substitute for yogurt in baking. ...
  2. Greek Yogurt. ...
  3. Buttermilk. ...
  4. Cottage Cheese. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Heavy Cream. ...
  7. Silken Tofu. ...
  8. Coconut Milk or Coconut Cream.
Jun 30, 2023

Can I substitute milk for yogurt in bread? ›

If the recipe calls for one cup of milk, use 1/4 cup of yogurt paired with 3/4 cup of milk (if you're just short on milk) or water. Substituting yogurt for a liquid oil works best in small quantities, like a few tablespoons. Above all, feel free to experiment.

Why is naan not vegan? ›

Unfortunately, the majority of naan isn't suitable for vegans as they often contain ghee (clarified butter), yoghurt, milk or even eggs. However, it's not impossible to find vegan-friendly naan in supermarkets, it's just worth double-checking ingredients lists.

Do restaurants use egg in naan? ›

In many traditional recipes, naan bread does not contain eggs. However, there are variations of naan where eggs might be added to the dough. Whether eggs are added to naan largely depends on the specific recipe used by the restaurant and regional preferences.

Is egg used in naan? ›

To make homemade naan bread, you'll start by activating the yeast with water and sugar, letting it bloom for 5 to 10 minutes. Then you'll add the flour, milk, salt, sugar, and egg until you get dough that forms a sticky ball.

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.

What does naan mean in English? ›

: a round flat leavened bread especially of the Indian subcontinent.

Why do you sprinkle water on naan bread? ›

you put it on naans to keep them soft.

Can I substitute yogurt for milk in naan? ›

2% milk works well, but I do not recommend using fat-free or skim milk. Full-fat Greek yogurt. The full-fat dairy in this naan recipe gives it a soft texture and rich taste. You can use a 2% or fat-free Greek yogurt, your bread may just not be as pillowy soft.

What is a substitute for yogurt in baking? ›

Sour cream will give you a similar texture and tanginess, and swapping sour cream for yogurt is a simple 1-to-1 ratio. Where it gets tricky is if you're using a fat-free variety: In that case, the substitution only works for cold recipes, like dips. Otherwise, the texture will be off.

What is a substitute for yogurt in tikka masala? ›

Ingredients and substitues for the homemade tikka masala

Greek yogurt: If you don't like Greek yogurt, use plain whole milk. For a dairy-free option, you may use almond or coconut milk. Fresh lemon juice: Do not use botteled lemon juice unless you have no other choice. Garlic and ginger: use fresh, not powder.

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