Why do people call a simple naan “Naan Bread” I would never understand. It is like calling a bun “Bun Bread”. I don’t remember if I ever tried to make naan at home pre gluten free era because there is such a great variety of assorted naan/roti available at almost every corner of the street so I never felt there was a need to make these at home. Then came gluten restrictions in our lives and changed my approach towards food.
Try out new dishes isn’t my prime interest any more. My focus is shifted to incorporate naturally gluten free grains into daily diet and recreate regular and everyday wheat based food in gluten free form. Roti is a staple in our desi cuisine and subtracting it from menu is a difficult thing. Yes there are many dishes and curries that can be eaten with rice but think about Nihari and Kunna …. how can a person eat these scrumptious food without roti.. No, naan, actually. A variety of naan preferably.
My family is a little picky in this department and takes gluten free naan and roti very seriously. Taste and texture matter rather than the shape and look and this is another reason why there aren’t many recipes of roti and naan on the blog. It needs to go through this vigorous family testing and critique to be blog worthy. There is Perfect Gluten Free Roti , Gluten Free Tawa Naan and Gluten Free Batter Paratha that are tried and tested so many times and only after a series of approval by my husband and daughter I shared these recipes.
This recipe is a yeast free recipe and no oven is required to make them. There is self raising gluten free baking flour with yogurt with a little oil and seasoning. That is it. These are the softest and fluffiest gluten free naan I have ever come across. No equipment is need either. You can use store bought self raising gluten free flour or try the Homemade Gluten Self Raising Flour (recipe below) It is a combo of two flours, one starch and xanthan gum. Add gluten free baking powder to it. There is your homemade self raising gluten free flour within minutes. The quantity of gluten free baking powder may seem a little too much but trust me, it has to be! Gluten free flours are denser than wheat flour and need extra leavening to help them rise.
Another great thing about the recipe is the fact that it is so versatile and works perfect with any added flavors. One dough can be turned into simple naan, butter naan, roghni naan, sesame naan, garlic naan or all of the above or any kind of topping you prefer on naan just like tandoor! Method of shaping, rolling and cooking would be same and once naan is cooked, you can add your toppings. You may add herbs or any seasoning to the dough as well. I prefer adding the topping once they are cooked.
Butter Naan/Roghni Naan: All you need to do is to generously brush fresh-of-the-pan naan with melted butter or melted desi ghee.
Sesame Naan: Brush the naan with melted butter/ghee and sprinkle sesame seeds.
Kalonji Naan: Brush the naan with melted butter/ghee and sprinkle kalonji seeds/ onion seeds/ nigella seeds.
Garlic Naan: Add some chopped garlic and fresh cilantro/coriander to melted butter, season slightly with a pinch of salt if needed. Brush the naan with this mixture.
Herb Naan: Add chopped fresh cilantro, mint, parsley and fenugreek leaves to melted butter and spread over naan. Use any combo or herb.
These are suggestions to dress up the naan but feel free to do your own thing and try with any combo that you and your family like.
GLUTEN FREE BUTTER NAAN, SESAME NAAN, KALONJI NAAN, GARLIC NAAN
Easiest, softest and fluffiest naan within minutes. No yeast or oven required.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Pakistani
Keyword Gluten free, gluten free butter naan, gluten free garlic naan, gluten free kalonji naan, gluten free naan, gluten free sesame naan, no yeast naan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups self raising gluten free flour
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tbsp cooking oil or ghee
- ¾ tsp salt
- ⅓ tsp powdered sugar
- toppings of choice
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.
- Knead well to form soft dough.
- Cover and let the dough rest for at least an hour.
- Make equal sized balls from dough.
- Put one dough ball on a lightly greased cling wrap. Cover with another piece of cling wrap, press and roll with a rolling pin.
- Roll out approximately 4-5 inch round naan, ¼ inch thick.
- Heat a non stick frying pan over low medium heat and gently place a rolled naan in the pan.
- Cover the frying pan and let the side cook for about 90 seconds. It will start puffing up at different spots.
- Carefully flip the side of the naan and cook for another 90 seconds or so.
- Serve hot as is or brush with any toppings of choice.
HOMEMADE GLUTEN FREE SELF RAISING FLOUR
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup white rice flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/4 potato starch
- 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 2 1/2 tsp gluten free baking powder
METHOD
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk well. Homemade gluten free self raising flour is ready!
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