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    Home » All Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

    Naan Recipe without yogurt

    Published: Jan 19, 2021 · Modified: May 31, 2022 by Katie

    Jump to Recipe How-To-Photos Watch the Video

    Homemade naan is super easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious! This fluffy naan is dairy-free, made without yogurt and you'll only need 7 simple ingredients!

    stack of naan bread on a wooden board.

    This vegan naan bread is a must to try with our creamy Red Lentil Dahl, Sweet Potato Red Lenti Curry or Moroccan Stewed White Beans.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • What is Naan?
    • Ingredients & Substitution Notes
    • How to Make Naan without Yogurt
    • Top Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing
    • FAQs
    • Recipes to try with naan
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • There's no yogurt, no dairy and no butter included.
    • It can be served as a side dish with your favorite curries, stews, soups or salads.
    • It can also be enjoyed as a snack with some hummus, guacamole and veggies.
    • It's super simple to make.

    What is Naan?

    Naan is a type of leavened flatbread, eaten primarily in India and Western and Central Asia. It's a popular side dish and often served along with curries, soups or meat dishes.

    It can be served plain or stuffed with cheese, garlic or potatoes.

    Ingredients & Substitution Notes

    all ingredients needed to make naan without yogurt.
    • Dry yeast: This recipe uses dry yeast as a leavening agent. It helps the bread to rise and makes is fluffy. I prefer using dry yeast over fresh yeast because it's easier to store and has a longer shelf life.
    • (Brown) sugar: I used brown sugar but feel free to use regular white sugar.
    • White all-purpose flour: I used regular white flour because I prefer it over the taste of whole wheat flour in this recipe. Feel free to experiment though.
    • (Almond) milk: To keep this recipe dairy-free, I used almond milk. You could use any milk of choice here such as soy milk, oat milk or regular dairy milk.
    • Olive oil: Helps with a soft and chewy texture. Any other neutral flavored vegetable oil would work too.
    • Garlic (optional): for some garlic-oil

    How to Make Naan without Yogurt

    This easy naan recipe is super quick and easy to make and only requires 7 ingredients. There's no special equipment needed aside from a large mixing bowl and a rolling pin.

    dried yeast and sugar in a glass with water.

    STEP 1: Activate the yeast. For the yeast to do its trick it needs to be activated. Dissolve the yeast and ½ teaspoon of sugar in warm water (not hot) using a whisk.

    dried yeast and sugar fully dissolved in a glass with water.

    Then set aside for about 10 minutes. During the activation process, the active dry yeast will start to foam and form little bubbles.

    flour and salt in a large bowl.

    STEP 2: Make the dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour and salt) in a large mixing bowl.

    dissolved yeast, milk and olive oil added to the flour in the bowl.

    Then add the wet ingredients (activated yeast, almond milk and olive oil).

    big ball of dough in a bowl.

    STEP 3: Let dough rest. Stir with a spatula or whisk and then knead the dough until it comes together.

    doug in a bowl covered with a kitchen towel.

    Cover the naan dough with a tea towel and let it rise for about 30 minutes to 1h at room temperature.

    Let the dough rise in an airtight container that's big enough to hold the dough after it's doubled in size. That way it won't dry out as much.

    naan dough divided into 6 equally sized dough balls on a plate.

    STEP 4: Roll out the dough balls. Divide the dough into 6 equal parts.

    naan bread rolled out, next to it a rolling pin.

    Roll out each dough ball on a well-floured, flat surface using a rolling pin.

    naan bread being cooked in a pan on the stove.

    STEP 5: Cook. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the naan in the hot pan and cook on one side for about 2 minutes until you can see bubbles forming.

    the other side of the naan bread being cooked in a pan on the stove.

    Flip and continue to cook on the other side until you can see brown spots.

    Top Tips

    • Thickness: For the naan to be fluffy and bubbly, it's important to not roll it out too thin. Roll each ball to ¼-inch thickness for optimal results.
    • Hot pan: Make sure that your pan is hot enough. Oftentimes, medium heat is not enough heat to make the bread bubble. Opt for medium-high temperature.

    Serving Suggestions

    There are many different ways to enjoy fresh, homemade naan. Find some suggestions below.

    • Plain: Enjoy this naan plain as a snack, with some homemade hummus or guacamole.
    • Side Dish: Enjoy it as a side dish along with some Red Lentil Dahl, Sweet Potato Red Lenti Curry, Chickpea Masala or Tofu Curry.
    • Garlic Oil: Turn this into a delicious garlic naan by brushing on some homemade garlic-oil.

    Storing

    Store any left-over naan in an airtight container at room temperature. However, it definitely tastes best when consumed right away!

    stack of naan bread on a wooden board, next to it some dahl and fresh cilantro.

    FAQs

    What is the difference between a naan and a pita bread?

    Pita is thicker and more used for stuffing in recipes such as kebab or falafel. Naan is more bubbly and usually eaten as a side dish.

    Can you make naan without yogurt?

    Absolutely, you can easily make naan without yogurt. The oil in combination with the yeast will help turn this into soft and fluffy bread.

    What can I substitute for yogurt in naan?

    Sometimes, plain yogurt is replaced with sour cream but there's no need to replace the yogurt at all.

    Recipes to try with naan

    • big bowl of coconut red lentil dahl in a bowl, next to it some naan bread.
      Red Lentil Dahl with Coconut Milk
    • sweet potato lentil curry topped with fresh herbs.
      Sweet Potato Red Lentil and Coconut Curry Recipe
    • 2 bowls of indian cauliflower curry with some naan bread on the side.
      Indian Cauliflower Curry
    • loubia- in a pan topped with fresh herbs next to it some homemade naan.
      Loubia Recipe (Moroccan Stewed White Beans)

    If you tried this or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment or rating below! SIGN UP for the WSK newsletter and get the newest recipes delivered right to your inbox!

    📖 Recipe

    stack of naan bread on a wooden board.

    Homemade Naan (no yogurt)

    Author: Katie
    This homemade naan requires only 7 ingredients and is made without yogurt or dairy. It tastes amazing alongside some curries, stews or plain.
    If you love this recipe as much as we do, click on the 5-stars below!
    4.55 from 106 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Rising Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Dry Yeast

    • 1.5 teaspoon dry yeast
    • ¼ cup (50 ml) warm (not hot) water
    • ½ teaspoon sugar

    Naan

    • 2 + ⅛ cups (255 g) white, all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup (115 ml) almond milk (or other milk of choice) *soy milk, whole milk...
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil +more for brushing

    Garlic Oil (Optional)

    • 4 (5) garlic cloves
    • 7 tablespoon (4 tablespoon) olive oil
    • pinch of salt
    You can find detailed step-by step-photos above the recipe card.

    Instructions

    Activating Yeast

    • In a small bowl or glass, mix together water, yeast and sugar with a whisk until fully dissolved. Let sit for about 10 min until yeast starts to foam.

    Naan

    • In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
    • Add activated yeast, milk and olive oil.
    • Stir with a spatula or whisk and then knead the dough using your hands until the dough comes together.
    • If you feel that you need more liquid, add 1 more tbsp of almond milk (no more).
    • Cover the bowl with a lid or kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes to 1 hour (room temperature) and let dough rise.
    • Divide the dough into 6 equally-sized small balls.
    • Roll out each ball to ¼-inch thickness on a well-floured surface.
    • Heat a frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Place the naan in the hot skillet and cook on one side for about 2 minutes until you can see bubbles forming (see step-by-step photos).
    • Flip and continue to cook on the other side until browned.
    • Brush on some garlic oil (optional) before serving.

    Garlic Oil (Optional)

    • Mince garlic and add it, together with the olive oil and a pinch of salt to a small bowl, Stir until well combined.

    Video

    Notes

    • Let the dough rise in an airtight container that's big enough to hold the dough after it's doubled in size. That way it won't dry out as much.
    • Thickness: For the naan to be fluffy, it's important to not roll it out too thin. Roll each ball to ¼-inch thickness for optimal results.
    • Hot pan: Make sure that your pan is hot enough. Oftentimes, medium heat is not enough heat to make the bread bubble. Opt for medium-high temperature.
    • Store any left-over naan in an airtight container at room temperature. However, it definitely tastes best when consumed right away!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1naan. | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 418mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg
    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates.
    Tried this recipe?Leave a rating and comment telling us how you liked it! Or tag @wholefoodsoulfood__kitchen on Instagram so we can admire your creations!

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    Comments

      4.55 from 106 votes (94 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. V. Munro says

      February 01, 2025 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      So simple and delicious. I made it last night to serve with fish curry. I did the optional garlic oil- wow! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Katie Roux says

        March 15, 2025 at 12:57 pm

        Right? We NEVER skip the garlic oil 😅

        Reply
    2. Lianne says

      August 16, 2024 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe! Worked really well!

      Reply
      • Katie Roux says

        August 17, 2024 at 8:53 am

        Glad to hear that, thanks for the feedback 🙂

        Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      February 21, 2024 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is gonna be a keeper for me. It was easy to make and turned out really good 😋 . Hubby approved 👌

      Reply
      • Katie says

        March 06, 2024 at 7:03 pm

        Thanks so much for letting me know! Very glad to hear that! 🥰

        Reply
    4. Anonymous says

      December 31, 2023 at 11:17 pm

      This recipe is GOLD! I came across it as I wanted to do Naan bread, but didn’t have yogurt. Love it!

      Reply
      • Katie says

        January 07, 2024 at 9:22 am

        Glad to hear that you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Stacey TURKO says

      November 27, 2023 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      We only eat about a half batch, the other half freezes really well

      Reply
    6. Brittany T says

      August 05, 2023 at 10:19 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Just like the real deal. Going to make it for the second time tonight 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
      • Katie says

        August 06, 2023 at 5:46 am

        Hi Brittany! Thanks so much for letting me know, happy that you like it! 😊

        Reply
    7. DiL says

      July 19, 2023 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      Turns out incredibly good!! Soft and delish! Easy to make too. Thank you for sharing! 👍🏼

      Reply
      • Katie says

        July 19, 2023 at 6:57 pm

        Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! 😊

        Reply
    8. Zoe says

      June 27, 2023 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      Very easy, very tasty, practically bomb-proof. On my second try I mixed 200g plain flour with 55g bread flour as an experiment and it worked fine.

      Reply
      • Katie says

        June 28, 2023 at 2:18 pm

        So happy to hear that Zoe! Would love to hear who it turned out! 😊

        Reply
    9. Len says

      May 31, 2023 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      Another happy customer.

      Didn't use "garlic oil" but just brushed olive oil on the uncooked side and then a light sprinkle of granulated garlic and salt. I had already mixed 1t of minced garlic into the dough itself before the rise.

      Reply
      • Katie says

        June 01, 2023 at 12:15 pm

        Very happy to hear that! Thanks Len, for letting me know! 😊

        Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      March 30, 2023 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      It was amazing it worked well and taste just like the brand I always buy I bought it today but somebody in my house ate it 5/5 should try but I put the oven to 250 then turned it off and put it in the oven to rise faster now I can eat my tikka masala and naan to!

      Reply
      • Katie says

        March 31, 2023 at 10:41 am

        Very happy to hear that! 😊 Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    11. Victoria Faubert says

      February 09, 2023 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      Very good and so easy to make this will be my go to I didn't add the salt as I have kidney disease

      Reply
      • Katie says

        February 10, 2023 at 4:14 pm

        So happy to hear that you liked it, thanks a lot!

        Reply
    12. Alex says

      July 25, 2022 at 12:51 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was great! I hesitant when I first made the dough because it looked somewhat dry, but I oiled the dough before I let it rest for an hour which seemed to help. I also added a bit of oil to the pan before cooking, as the first one came out somewhat burnt (I was using a nonstick pan).

      This was a great recipe and I’m definitely adding it to my usual cooking rotation!

      Reply
      • Katie says

        July 25, 2022 at 8:12 am

        Hi Alex, thanks a lot for your helpful feedback! I'm very happy that it turned out yummy in the end 🙂

        Reply
    13. Steve says

      June 23, 2022 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe and baked the naan in a pizza oven and they turned out fantastic. The recipe is simple and easy to follow. We will be making these a lot in the future.

      Reply
      • Katie says

        June 23, 2022 at 11:54 am

        Hi Steve, very happy to hear that! 🙂 Thanks for letting us know!

        Reply
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