Naan, a soft Indian flatbread, is a staple in North Indian cuisine and pairs perfectly with a variety of rich curries and gravies. Traditionally cooked in a clay tandoor, this homemade tawa version delivers the same smoky flavor and fluffy texture right from your stovetop. Whether you call it Indian flatbread recipe, homemade naan, or no yeast naan bread, this version guarantees a delicious bread that’s perfect for scooping up gravies or wrapping grilled kebabs.

Naan Recipe
I always wanted to try a naan recipe that taste similar to restaurant style. I have made a quite a naan recipe in this blog. Check out my Wheat Naan, Garlic Naan Recipes. Traditionally naan bread are made in a tandoor oven and has yeast in it. But I made this naan without a tandoor and yeast. but the result was amazing. Now i am glad that i found this new trick for cooking a naan on tawa, you have to try it to see the magic.
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I added some coriander in this naan to make it more flavourful. You can add whatever makes you fancy.
About Naan Recipe
On a chilly evening, my sister would roll out soft naans while the curry simmered nearby, filling the kitchen with warmth and comfort. That memory sparked my love for making this traditional Indian bread at home. The naan bread recipe is one of the most loved Indian dinner recipes, known for its fluffy texture and slightly smoky taste. It's often made on a tawa as an easy homemade naan without tandoor, making it accessible to anyone craving authentic flavors.
Whether you're serving it with butter chicken or dal makhani, this flatbread recipe never fails to impress. With its pillowy softness and golden-brown spots, it stands out among Indian restaurant-style recipes and is a go-to choice for weeknight dinner ideas. The touch of coriander adds a refreshing twist, making it one of the most flavorful no yeast Indian bread recipes.
SImilar Recipes

Why This Naan Recipe Works?
No Yeast Needed : This recipe uses baking soda instead of yeast, which means no long proofing time. You still get soft, fluffy naan in less time.
Why I Love This Recipe - With no yeast and minimal resting time, I can make fresh naan even on busy weeknights without much planning. I can add garlic, herbs, cheese, or even stuff it with paneer or mashed potato for a twist. It’s a blank canvas.
Milk for Softness: Adding milk gives richness and moisture to the dough, helping create that tender, melt-in-mouth texture.
Tawa Method Mimics Tandoor: Cooking on a hot tawa and finishing over an open flame gives the naan a smoky flavor close to traditional tandoori-style bread.
Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour / Maida – This is the base of the naan dough, giving it a soft, elastic texture and chewy bite when cooked.
Milk – Adds richness and helps make the naan soft and tender, giving it that melt-in-the-mouth feel.
Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances the salt and helps with gentle browning during cooking.
Salt – Enhances all the other flavors in the dough and brings balance to the taste.
Baking Soda – Acts as the leavening agent, helping the naan puff slightly and become airy without yeast.
Coriander Leaves- Adds a fresh, herby aroma and subtle flavor that makes the naan visually appealing and delicious.
Oil – Helps in kneading the dough smoothly, keeps it soft, and prevents it from drying out.
Butter – Brushed on the hot naan to give it a glossy finish and rich, savory taste, just like restaurant-style naan.

Hacks
1. Warm Milk Works Best: Use slightly warm milk (not hot) to activate the baking soda better and get softer dough.
2. Rest the Dough Covered: Cover the dough with a damp cloth or lid to prevent it from drying out and help it rise slightly while resting.
2. Don’t Skip the Water Trick: Dabbing water on one side of the rolled naan helps it stick to the tawa, so you can safely flip it over open flame.
4. Roll Evenly But Not Too Thin: If it’s too thick, it won’t cook through, too thin and it gets crispy. Aim for medium thickness for soft, fluffy results.

Naan Recipe (Step by Step Pictures)
Expert Tips
Don’t Over-Knead – Knead just until the dough is smooth. Overworking can make the naan tough.
Let the Dough Rest Well – The 30-minute rest relaxes the gluten and makes the dough easier to roll and shape without shrinking.
Wet Side Must Stick to Tawa – Don’t skip wetting one side of the naan; this helps it stick to the tawa while you flip it over the flame.
High Heat is Key – Cook the naan on high heat so you get those classic bubbles and lightly charred spots without drying it out.
Apply Butter Immediately – Brush butter right after cooking while the naan is still hot to keep it soft and flavorful.
Serve Hot – Naan tastes best when served fresh off the tawa; reheat gently over the flame if serving later.
Variations
Wheat Naan Recipe Without Yeast: A healthier take on classic naan, this version uses whole wheat flour and skips the yeast, relying on baking soda or curd for softness. It’s a quick and wholesome flatbread perfect for everyday meals.
Garlic Naan Recipe: Infused with the bold flavor of freshly minced garlic, this naan is a restaurant favorite. The garlic is either mixed into the dough or pressed on top before cooking, giving a delicious aroma and taste.
Wheat Kulcha Recipe: Made with whole wheat flour, this kulcha is soft, slightly crisp at the edges, and often enjoyed with chole or paneer gravies. It’s a no-yeast, mildly leavened flatbread perfect for lighter meals.
Butter Garlic Cheese Kulcha Recipe: This naan combines the richness of butter with the pungent kick of garlic. Brushed generously with garlic-infused butter after cooking, it delivers a savory flavor that elevates any curry pairing.
Butter Kulcha Recipe: Soft and flaky, butter kulcha is a tandoori-style flatbread brushed with melted butter. It has a slightly crispy surface and rich flavor, making it a popular choice in North Indian thalis.
FAQ
1. Can I make naan without yeast?
Yes! This recipe uses baking soda instead of yeast, making it quicker and easier without compromising on softness.
2. Can I use wheat flour instead of maida?
You can substitute with whole wheat flour for a healthier version, but the texture may be slightly denser compared to maida-based naan.
3. Why do we apply water on the naan before cooking?
Water helps the naan stick to the hot tawa, allowing you to flip the pan over the flame without the bread falling off. This mimics tandoor-style cooking.
4. My naan didn’t puff up. What went wrong?
The tawa may not have been hot enough, or the dough might not have rested properly. Make sure to cook on high heat and allow proper resting time.
5. Can I make naan ahead of time?
Naan is best served hot, but you can half-cook them and reheat over a flame just before serving. Store them in foil or a towel to retain softness.
6. What can I serve with naan?
Naan pairs well with any curry like butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, dal makhani, or even simple curd and pickle.
7. Can I freeze naan dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough in an airtight bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight, bring to room temperature, then roll and cook as needed.
Naan & Kulcha Recipes
📖 Recipe Card
Naan Recipe (Butter Naan without Yeast)
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups All Purpose Flour / Maida + Extra if need and for rolling
- 1¼ cup Milk
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1½ tsp Salt or to taste
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ cup Coriander leaves finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 4 tbsp Butter for smearing on naan
Instructions
- Take milk in a mixing bowl, add in salt, sugar, baking soda, 1 tbsp of oil, chopped coriander leaves and mix well. Add in flour and knead into a soft dough. If you want add more flour. Now drizzle the remaining 1 tbsp of oil over the dough and knead it one time. Cover and let it rest for 30 mins.
- Dust the work surface generously, punch a little dough and roll into circles. Now use your hands to elongate the circle, so it forms into a traditional naan bread shape.
- Heat a tawa with handles. Now dip your fingers in water and spread water on top of the naan bread. Once you have applied water, flip the wet side on hot tawa, as soon as you drop it, small bubbles will appear.
- Don't cook it too long at this point, if you cook long then the naan will get cooked and leave the pan, so you cannot flip it over.
- Once you see small bubbles, flip the tawa and show the top side over the open flame. Show it on all side, you will see some black spots on the naan.
- Now apply some butter generously on top of the naan. Remove the naan to a plate. Serve hot with your favorite curry.
Notes
- Don't cook it too long once you put the wet side on hot tawa, if you cook long then the naan will get cooked and leave the pan, so you cannot flip the tawa over and show it on open flame.
- Use a tawa which has plastic handles, so it is easy to flip the tawa and cook.
Nutrition
If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @[email protected] and I’ll help as soon as I can.
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Mary Nowlin Bendfeldt
Hi, I am hear in freezing Virginia enjoying your blog and updates on Facebook. I have a quick question about this recipe. Is it supposed to say 1 teaspoon baking powder instead of soda? I tend to think of baking soda needing a sour ingredient like yogurt to counteract it? Thanks again for all the lovely recipes and you kind and gentle manner online. Mary Bendfeldt
Aarthi
@Mary Nowlin Bendfeldt No it needs 1 tsp of baking soda. In this recipe, you dont need to add yogurt, just milk. Somehow it works.I am not sure how, but it works. try it and see the results.
malligapalanisamy
wow...simple& easy method of making naan...thanq Aarthi
Priyanka Jha
Hi Aarti....Today is my hubby's birthday...and will going to try your simple and yummy Naan recipe. ..Wish me good luck Dear ...��
And thnks to share this with us God bless ��
Sravanthi Jandhyala
Hi ,am using a induction stove so hpw does the flipover of tava work for me? ?is there any other alternative? ?
Shalini R
ur naan s vry tempting..gonna try dis..is the addition of baking soda compulsory ??my hubby doesnt like the use of
baking soda..so help me out..
Shalini R
hi..ur naan is very tempting.. gonna try dis out.. s d use of baking soda mandatory or can i skip that.. my hubby doesnt like the use of baking soda..help me out in dis point..
Sandu
Can i use baking powder instead of baking soda
Aarthi
no it will affect the texture
Aarthi
@Shalini RBaking soda is the thing which makes the naan soft. You can use baking powder instead.
Aarthi
@Sravanthi JandhyalaYou can just flip it over to the tawa itself. It wont get the black dots, but still taste will be good.
farida
hi aarthi...i tried ur coriander naan....n no doubt it turned out simply amazing...soft n buttery..jus like restaurants...but i have a question...i used my non stick tawa for it but still the naan got stuck to the tawa..can u plz help me out....thank u
Aarthi
@farida I am not sure..When you flip the naan over and show it over the flame, it will fall off..may be you can season your non stick pan with little oil and wipe it off with a tissue, then make the naan
Anonymous
Hey aarthi.. This seems yummy..
What i would like to know is... Can you make this in oven? Is it possible? What temp and time..?
Aarthi
@AnonymousYes u can, check this post
https://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2012/04/garlic-naan-bread-no-yeast.html
Anonymous
Hi aarthi...i made dis n it tasted good..my only doubt is my dough waas very strechy...is it d same wen u made??
Aarthi
@Anonymous
No it was not that sterchy for me, you have to knead it and set aside for 30 mins.
Vidhya Madhan
I tried this recipe for first time and it came out very well.. Tastes really yummy.. Thanks arthi..
abinaya
Milk means boiled milk or fresh milk
Aarthi
@abinayaBoiled cooled milk
Anonymous
After the bubbles appear how to put the naan on fire with the tawa? Do we turn over the tawa with the nan on it
Aarthi
@Anonymousyes..
Krishna Priya
Hi arthi i dint know it should b boiled milk is it okay if v use milk tht comes in tetra pack
Krishna Priya
Hi arthi i dint know v shld use boiled milk wen i went thru ur comments only i realised it. I added milk directly frm tetrapack. Ur page is really is nice i alws go thru ur recipes
Aarthi
@Krishna PriyaNo issues, you can use that milk too..
Ritu
First of all hats off to you for continuing great work even with a little baby in your house.Naan turned out great!! Thanks so much for your honest recipes.Love your work,keep it up.
Regi
My tandoori Roti wheat one didn't turn out well when I flip it didn't stick and jus fell off. any tips for this one pls
Aarthi
@RegiYou have to flip it as soon as you stick it to the tawa. if it is cooked for longer then it will fall off
Anonymous
Wow aarthi..i am a new comer of your blog..nw i got a passion for cooking..thnqq soo much
bristol plasterer
Super delicious Great recipe. Thanks for posting this up.
Simon
Rajesh Kumar
WOW.... This is a very nice recipe. Looks so good. Nice picture. So tempting...
restaurant in satya niketan
anil savur
Wow, This is the most detailed & profusely illustrated non recipe I have come across. Great
Aarthi fan
Wow ...it came out perfect!!!
Aarthik fan
Wow..naan came out perfect.
Sindhu Sharma
Loved the step by step procedure...and thanks for the recipe!!!
Anonymous
Hi ur naan recipe is wonderful.. I want to try this but pls can u tell me the measurements u have mentioned here are standard cup measurements or the normal tea cup.. Because if it's standard cup measurement then 1 cup equals to 250 gms.. Pls confirm this, I want to try this recipe