Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (2024)

Home » Recipes » Side Dish » Vegan Naan Recipe

Jump To Recipe by Liz Thomson November 8, 2021This post may contain affiliate links.

Make a batch of fluffy naan bread to serve with your favorite main dish! This vegan recipe doesn’t require any yogurt, so you can make delicious naan with just a few pantry staples!

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (1)

Anytime I’m making Indian food, I love having fresh naan on the side! It’s a great way to soak up extra sauce and it makes a simple meal feel more substantial. This also makes a lovely side to serve with a hearty soup, these vegetable pakoras, or a tasty salad!

What is Naan?

Naan isa traditional flatbread from India. It’s soft and chewy and served with many different types of Indian dishes. Naan is traditionally made with yogurt, but I wanted to create a vegan-friendly version. This is not a traditional naan recipe, since we’re keeping it vegan. For an authentic naan recipe, try this naan recipe from Meera Sodha.

Ingredients for Vegan Naan

Naan is typically made with yogurt, but this recipe is completely vegan—no yogurt needed! Instead, all you need are these basic pantry staples:

  • Almond milk- Almond milk is combined with a spash of vinegar to create a substitute for the yogurt.
  • Sugar– A little sugar helps feed the yeast.
  • Yeast– This is essential for fluffy, chewy naan.
  • Salt– Salt adds flavor to the bread.
  • Vinegar– I tested this recipe with both white and apple cider vinegar.
  • Flour– All purpose flour is perfect for this chewy bread.
  • Olive oil- A little olive oil adds fat to make this bread moist and chewy. It’s also necessary for cooking.

How to Make Vegan Naan

Warm ½ cup of almond milk in the microwave or on the stove until heated about 110 degrees.In a large bowl, combine the warm almond milk, sugar, and yeast and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (2)

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and remaining almond milk and let sit for 10 minutes. This helps create a vegan substitute for yogurt.

Add the vinegar mixture and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (3)

Then add the flour and salt, one cup at a time. Knead for 6-7 minutes until a dough ball is formed.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (4)

Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (5)

Divide the dough into 8-10 pieces. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into flat pieces. Add as much flour as needed to prevent sticking.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (6)

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegan butter or olive oil over medium heat. Place the naan in the pan, cooking one 2 pieces at a time, for 2 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until browned on the outside.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (7)

How to Store Leftover Naan

You can keep the naan at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but it’s best when fresh. To restore the softness of the bread, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm. Brush with additional olive oil, if desired.

Substitution Ideas

If you don’t have yeast, try making these easy whole wheat flatbreads instead! You can use white or whole wheat flour and they come together quickly and easily.

I like to use olive oil in the bread and vegan butter when cooking on the stove, but you can substitute olive oil when cooking as well. For vegan butter, my favorite brands are Earth Balance and Miyoko’s.

What to Serve with Naan

Some of my favorite recipes to pair with this naan are:

  • Garlic Lentil Soup
  • Vegan Chickpea Curry
  • Immunity Boosting Soup

More Bread Recipes

  • Olive Oil Bread- No Yeast Required
  • Whole Wheat Flatbread
  • Vegan Beer Bread

Print

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (8)

Vegan Naan Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Resting: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 10 Pieces 1x
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Make a batch of fluffy naan bread to serve with your favorite main dish! This vegan recipe doesn’t require any yogurt, so you can make delicious naan with just a few pantry staples!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 cup almond milk, divided
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (7g)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 cups flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegan butter

Instructions

  1. Warm ½ cup of almond milk in the microwave or on the stove until heated to about 110 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the warm almond milk, sugar and yeast and let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and remaining ½ cup of almond milk and let sit for 8-10 minutes.
  4. Add the vinegar mixture and olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
  5. Add 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
  6. Add a second cup of flour and the salt.
  7. Knead for 6-7 minutes, adding the final ¼ cup of flour, if needed.
  8. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  9. Divide the dough into 10 pieces.
  10. Sprinkle each piece with flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into flat pieces. (Add as much flour as needed to prevent sticking.)
  11. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegan butter or olive oil over medium heat.
  12. Place the naan in the pan, cooking one 2 pieces at a time, for 2 minutes.
  13. Flip and continue to cook until browned on the outside.
  14. Add additional butter or oil to the pan as needed.

originally posted November 8, 2021 (updated March 31, 2023) by Liz Thomson
categories: Side Dish 11 comments

« Previous PostOrzo Pasta Recipes

Next Post »Instant Pot Tomato Soup

11 comments on “Vegan Naan Recipe”

Leave a comment »

  1. Jacqueline MonacoReply

    Made these tonight to go with our Cashew Tikka Masala from Whole Foods. They came out perfectly! A go to recipe from here on out!

  2. priscilaReply

    oh my gosh this recipe was amazing!!! i’ve never successfully made a good bread of any kinda simply because i suck at using yeast i don’t know why but this recipe was so easy and straightforward and it turned out delicious i even made a garlic butter and it was amazing thank you so much!!!

    • Liz ThomsonReply

      Yay! I’m so glad you liked it!!

  3. LeAnnaReply

    Tried another recipe the other night and was not happy with it. Found this one tonight, and I could just tell by the method, it was going to be legit. The dough is sooo soft and lovely, and it bubbled up and browned just as I hoped! Already have it in my recipe box for next time. Thank you!

    • Liz ThomsonReply

      So glad you liked it!

  4. SherryReply

    Such a fun and easy recipe to make with my family. We used our Blackstone Griddle to cook several of them at a time which made a quicker cook time. Thank you for a great recipe!!

  5. ShelbyReply

    Fresh naan is such a comfort food! This came out so soft, the whole house loved it.

  6. JenniferReply

    Loved these naan breads! Served them with a chickpea curry and it was better than takeout!

  7. CrystalReply

    I didn’t realize how easy and delicious vegan naan was. Thank you so much for such an amazing recipe!

  8. GlendaReply

    These turned out beautifully! We used them to scoop up a yellow chicken and potato curry. They were delicious!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Naan Recipe Without Yogurt (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between butter naan and plain naan? ›

Butter naan is indulgence personified. After cooking the plain naan, a generous amount of butter is brushed over the surface, imparting a rich yet buttery flavour. The butter also gives the naan a glossy finish, making it irresistible to resist.

Why does naan need yogurt? ›

The Secret Ingredient For Naan: Yogurt

Yogurt helps in the leavening process, adding moisture and tenderness to the dough, making sure that the end result is super soft and fluffy texture that we all love! Yogurt lends a creamy and slightly acidic flavor to the dough, adding mild tangy flavors to the bread.

What to use instead of yogurt in naan? ›

If you don't have yogurt, try buttermilk but use less. If you don't have buttermilk, try milk with a little lemon juice (again, use less). Dry milk: mix it up about half and half with water, add a little lemon juice and use that.

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. Silken Tofu. ...
  7. Coconut Milk or Coconut Cream.
Jun 30, 2023

Why is naan unhealthy? ›

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 is the healthiest type of naan bread? ›

Opt for whole wheat naan if you're looking to maximize your health benefits, and try to serve it alongside other nutritious foods.

Why is my naan not fluffy? ›

Naan doesn't get bubbles – Pan not hot enough, dough not moist enough or improper leavening. Naan turns hard – Toasting for too long, not enough moisture in the dough, toasting on low heat or not kneading the dough enough.

Can I use sour cream instead of yogurt? ›

In most cases, plain yogurt or Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream—and vice versa. Sour cream will give you a similar texture and tanginess, and swapping sour cream for yogurt is a simple 1-to-1 ratio.

Can I replace milk with yogurt in bread? ›

Yogurt. Yogurt is a great option as a milk substitute, especially because of its ability to add moisture and enhance the texture of baked goods. Use an even cup for cup substitution, but be sure to consider the type of yogurt you're using.

What is a substitute for yogurt in Indian cooking? ›

If you don't have access to traditional Indian or Greek yogurt, some alternatives include regular cow's milk yogurt, coconut yogurt, almond yogurt, soy yogurt, or goat's milk yogurt. Depending on the recipe, it is also possible to substitute other dairy products such as ricotta cheese or crème fraîche.

Can you use vanilla yogurt instead of plain? ›

Make it plain

If you cook with yogurt, it's important to make sure you use plain yogurt. Accidentally throwing vanilla yogurt into your chicken salad will lead up to a memorable dish you may prefer to forget. Depending on the recipe, you may choose to cook with Greek, plain, low-fat or nonfat yogurt.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of yogurt? ›

Sauces, salad dressings, sandwich spreads, dips, and any kind of deli-type salad like potato, egg, tuna, chicken, and pasta salads will all be great with mayo instead of yogurt. However, mayo is sweeter and fattier than yogurt, so you will need to adjust some of the other ingredients to balance out the taste.

Can I replace yogurt with heavy cream? ›

You can add extra protein to a recipe by using Greek yogurt as a stand-in for heavy cream. It's often a bit too thick on its own, so for best results, try mixing equal parts whole milk and plain Greek yogurt to add to sauces and soups.

Can I substitute cream cheese for yogurt? ›

Once you've tracked down your ideal full-fat yogurt, you can typically sub it out for cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio, even when baking. However, keep in mind that yogurt is a little tangier than cream cheese (especially Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr), so the replacement might affect the overall flavor of your dish.

What is the best type of naan? ›

Some of the most popular flavoured variations are plain naan, Peshwari naan, garlic and coriander naan and cheese naan. A good plain naan dough needs strong bread flour, yeast, black onion seeds, milk, and yoghurt – to give the naan that tanginess.

What is the meaning of plain naan? ›

While both are types of Indian bread, plain naan is a traditional flatbread made from flour, water, yeast, salt, and sometimes yogurt, which is cooked in a tandoor (a traditional clay oven).

What does plain naan taste like? ›

Naan has the mild and slightly nutty flavor of a classic plain flatbread but with a hint of milkiness and zesty tang. Often, it's brushed with warm butter at the end for a richer finish.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6576

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.