14 Soft Naan Bread Recipes for Homemade Curries
There’s something magical about the pillowy softness of fresh naan bread tearing into a steaming bowl of homemade curry. I remember as a child, huddled around the dinner table in my grandparents’ cozy kitchen, the aroma of my grandmother’s butter chicken wafting through the air as she slapped dough onto the hot tawa for naan. Those flaky, golden edges and chewy centers were the highlight of every family gathering, evoking warmth and togetherness that no restaurant version could match.
Lately, I’ve been on a naan-making spree in my own kitchen, experimenting after a failed attempt at tandoor-style baking led me to perfect stovetop methods that rival any Indian eatery. With rising grocery costs and a love for customizing flavors, I’ve whipped up these 14 variations—each designed to be soft, fluffy, and the ultimate companion to your curry nights. Whether you’re a naan newbie or a seasoned home cook, these recipes prove you don’t need a clay oven to achieve that authentic tenderness.
Classic Plain Naan
This timeless naan is your go-to base for any curry, with a soft, airy crumb from yogurt and a touch of baking powder. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp active dry yeast, 1/2 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp ghee, water as needed. Mix yeast, sugar, and milk; let activate 10 minutes. Combine with flour, yogurt, salt, and ghee to form dough; knead 5-7 minutes, rest 1 hour. Divide into balls, roll into ovals, cook on hot skillet 1-2 minutes per side, brushing with ghee.
Its simplicity highlights curry spices perfectly, and the yogurt ensures a tender texture that’s easy to digest—ideal for weeknight dinners.
Garlic Butter Naan
Elevate your curry game with fragrant garlic naan, infused with melted butter for ultimate softness. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup warm water, 2 tbsp butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp nigella seeds, salt. Activate yeast in water with a pinch of sugar. Knead into flour, yogurt, salt, 1 tbsp butter, and half the garlic; rest 1 hour. Roll out, sprinkle garlic and seeds, cook on tawa 2 minutes per side, baste with garlic butter.
Packed with antioxidants from garlic, it’s heart-healthy and adds a savory punch that soaks up rich gravies like tikka masala.
Herbed Naan with Cilantro and Mint
A fresh twist on naan, loaded with herbs for a soft, aromatic bread that brightens mild curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and mint, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt. Mix dry ingredients, add yogurt, milk, oil, and herbs; knead softly, rest 30 minutes. Roll thin, cook on medium-hot pan 1-2 minutes each side, brush with oil.
Herbs boost flavor without calories, making it a lighter option that pairs beautifully with vegetable kormas for a vibrant meal.
Cheese-Stuffed Naan
Gooey mozzarella-filled naan that’s soft on the outside and melty inside—perfect for creamy curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, 1 cup grated cheese, 2 tbsp butter, nigella seeds. Prepare dough as classic naan, rest 1 hour. Stuff balls with cheese, seal, roll gently, cook 2-3 minutes per side until cheese oozes. Brush with butter.
High-protein from cheese satisfies hunger longer, turning simple dal makhani into an indulgent feast.
Whole Wheat Soft Naan
Healthier naan using atta flour for a nutty, soft texture that holds up to hearty curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 cup milk, 2 tbsp ghee, salt. Mix all but ghee, knead with milk to soft dough, rest 45 minutes. Roll ovals, cook on tawa with ghee brush, 2 minutes per side.
Fiber-rich whole wheat aids digestion and keeps you full, ideal for butter chicken without the guilt.
Onion Kulcha Naan
Crispy-edged, soft-centered with caramelized onions— a naan-kulcha hybrid for robust curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp yeast, 1 cup finely chopped onions, 1 tsp cumin, 2 tbsp ghee, salt. Knead dough with yeast, yogurt; rest 1 hour. Mix onions with cumin, stuff or top dough, bake on skillet 2-3 minutes per side.
Onions add natural sweetness and prebiotics for gut health, enhancing spicy vindaloo.
Peshawari Sweet Naan
Nutty, sweet naan with coconut and raisins for contrasting creamy curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 cup coconut, 1/4 cup raisins and almonds, 2 tbsp sugar, milk as needed, ghee. Knead sweet dough, mix fillings, stuff balls, roll, cook 2 minutes per side, glaze with honey.
Balanced sweetness from natural sugars provides quick energy, pairing with savory paneer butter masala.
Keema-Filled Naan
Spicy minced meat-stuffed naan, soft and juicy for meat lovers’ curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, yeast as classic; filling: 1 cup cooked keema (lamb/minced meat with onions, ginger, spices). Prepare dough, stuff with spiced keema, roll thin, tawa-cook 3 minutes per side.
Protein-packed filling makes it a complete meal with rogan josh, boosting satiety.
Paneer Naan
Creamy paneer chunks in soft naan dough, tailor-made for veggie curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 cup crumbled paneer mixed with chili and cilantro, ghee. Knead dough, incorporate paneer, roll, cook on hot pan 2 minutes each side.
Calcium-rich paneer supports bones, offering a vegetarian protein hit with saag.
Chili Garlic Naan
Fiery kick from green chilies and garlic in ultra-soft naan for heat-loving curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 4 green chilies minced, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp butter, yeast base. Add chilies/garlic to dough, rest, roll, cook basting with chili butter.
Capsaicin in chilies boosts metabolism, perfect for spicy madras curry.
Sesame Seed Naan
Toasty sesame-topped naan with a soft chew, crunch for coconut curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp yeast, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, milk, ghee. Brush dough with milk, sprinkle seeds before cooking 2 minutes per side.
Sesame adds healthy fats and calcium, enhancing texture with Thai green curry.
Honey Butter Naan
Lightly sweetened with honey butter glaze over soft naan for milder curries. Ingredients (makes 6): Classic dough + 2 tbsp honey mixed in butter for brushing. Knead, roll, cook, glaze post-cook.
Honey’s antioxidants soothe throats, balancing tangy mango chicken curry.
Gluten-Free Naan
Rice flour-based soft naan for allergy-friendly curry nights. Ingredients (makes 6): 1 cup rice flour, 1 cup tapioca, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tsp xanthan gum, 1/2 cup coconut milk, baking powder. Mix, rest 30 min, roll with rice flour, skillet 2 min/side.
Gluten-free without sacrificing softness, great for palak paneer.
Rosemary Olive Oil Naan
Mediterranean-inspired with rosemary for fusion curries. Ingredients (makes 6): 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup yogurt, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, yeast. Infuse oil with rosemary, knead in, cook drizzling oil.
Anti-inflammatory rosemary pairs with chickpea curry for wellness.
These 14 soft naan recipes are your ticket to effortless, restaurant-quality curry feasts at home—grab your apron, fire up the stove, and let the compliments roll in as you tear into that first fluffy bite! Which one will you try first? Share your twists in the comments.
