Gluten Free Naan Bread (No Yeast, Vegan)

Naan bread is a traditional Indian dish. It is the perfect bread to accompany curries or to simply enjoy on its own. This gluten free naan bread recipe is made without yeast and just 4 ingredients to create a delicious soft flatbread.

Naan bread is an Indian flatbread that is soft and stretchy. You can find it at Indian restaurants or pre-packaged at grocery stores. It's traditionally made with yeast, yogurt and flour. This gluten-free alternative is just as pillowy and delicious but is made without yeast and without all-purpose flour.

This naan recipe is gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, nut free, and made without eggs so its completely vegan. If you're looking for another delicious bread recipe, try Buckwheat Bread!

Quick Gluten-Free and Vegan Naan Bread

Yes, you can make naan bread entirely gluten free! And this quick and easy recipe yields soft and beautiful naan with just a few ingredients. This gluten free plant-based naan recipe is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients.

Because this dish is yeast free, unlike traditional naan, the prep is super quick and easy. You only need one bowl, 5 minutes of prep and only 4 ingredients. The entire recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, from start to finish!

While traditional naan bread cooks in a tandoor oven, you can can use a cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet for this recipe.

Ingredients You Need

Gluten-free naan bread comes together with just a few simple ingredients.

• Plain vegan yogurt: You can choose any kind of plant-based yogurt as long as its unflavored and unsweetened. You don't want to use strawberry, peach, etc. A neutral and creamy yogurt, that is either too liquid or too firm works best.
• Gluten-free flour blend (like Bob's Red Mill 1:1 all-purpose flour): You can find gluten free flour mix at your local grocery store or natural food stores.
• Baking powder: This is the leavening agent.
• Sea salt: Himalayan pink salt or any high quality sea salt is a good choice.

Can I use any gluten-free flour?

This is a common question in gluten-free cooking. And the answer is no. Each gluten free flour (such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, almond flour, and coconut flour) acts differently. Since they do not contain gluten, which is what gives the dough elasticity, it is not possible to just use any gluten free flour.

This is why you must use a gluten free flour mix for this recipe. Gluten-free flour mix consists of a variety of gluten-free flours with starches that have a specific ratio that makes the flour behave similarly as standard wheat flour.

While the ingredients in the gluten free flour mixes vary depending on the brand, they all aim to be a 1:1 replacement for common white flour. They are usually made from rice flour, corn starch, cassava/yucca starch. Some also use gums (xanthan gum) that helps achieve a more flexible dough.

I have also seen brands that add unhealthy ingredients like powdered milk or sugar. Therefore, when looking for a good pre-mix, always look at the ingredients.

How to Make Gluten Free Naan Bread

1. Mix together the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center.
2. Stir in the yogurt: Add the yogurt to the well and use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix well until well combined. Use a hand to knead the dough until it forms a ball. Since your yogurt may be thicker or creamier than mine, the ratio of yogurt to flour may vary slightly. Before adding more flour or yogurt, knead for a while. Flours take a while to absorb liquid so it might take a while to come together. Don't be tempted to add more flour, as you don't want a dry loaf.
3. Form the dough into dough balls: The dough should be soft and well formed when it's ready. Divide the dough into 6 equal balls.
4. Heat the pan: Heat a cast iron or nonstick pan over medium heat. You can brush the naan with a little olive oil or cook it without the oil. This is up to you. Try one without the oil and then with the oil to see what you prefer.
5. Stretch the dough: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (like a silpat) to prevent the dough from sticking to the counter. Alternatively, you can flour the counter. Do not leave the dough on the counter for very long or it may stick. If you use parchment paper, sprinkle a little flour on top. Stretch the dough on the floured surface, either with a rolling pin or by using your fingers. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it has to be very thin as it will rise later while cooking.
6. Cook the naan bread: Place the dough in the pan and cook for a few minutes, until the surface is covered in air bubbles and the bottom is lightly golden. Flip and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the other side is golden.

You can place the cooked naan on a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm. Or store temporarily in a warm place, like an oven heated to 225°F, while you cook the rest of the naan.

How to Serve Naan Bread

Serve the gluten free naan warm or at room temperature. It makes the perfect side dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil, or sprinkle with crushed garlic, salt or fresh herbs.

Serve the flatbread with your favorite Indian inspired dishes or as an appetizer, side of snack. It tastes great served alongside hearty dishes like curries soups and stews. Or serve it with easy oil free hummus or avocado dip.

Storage Instructions

To store the vegan gluten-free naan, let it cool completely to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container or a resealable bag and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the naan by separating each piece with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm it in a skillet until it's soft and pliable.