Try this Garlic Naan without yeast recipe. This no-yeast garlic naan doesn’t need any yeast or eggs and can be made easily on a skillet. Just like my yoghurt flatbread, it makes a lovely side for vegetarian curries on weeknight dinners—no need to visit an Indian restaurant.
It’s a common misconception that making flatbreads like cottage cheese flatbread and 3-ingredient yoghurt flatbread are really hard and best enjoyed only at a restaurant. But trust me, it’s actually the other way around. Making restaurant-style garlic naan without yeast at home is surprisingly easy—and you don’t need a tandoor either.
If you haven’t made them before, let me tell you—it’s time to start making your own naan bread at home. You’ll most likely have all the basic ingredients already, and the best part is—you don’t need yeast!
I love making easy homemade plain naan on weekends for special meals and serving it with Indian curries. However, on days when I haven’t prepared dough in advance, this garlic naan without yeast recipe works like a charm.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This no yeast garlic naan is made at home on a pan, tawa, or cast iron skillet—just like chapatis or cottage cheese flatbread. No tandoor needed.
- My kids love them to bits—as long as I don’t add sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top!
- It’s so easy to make, and you only need a handful of basic ingredients easily available in UK supermarkets plus, no yeast required.
- Very little prep is needed to make restaurant-style garlic naan without yeast at home.
Sandhya's Top Tips
- I love adding garlic in two stages in my garlic naan without yeast recipe—not just as a topping, but also into the dough for maximum flavour.
- Allow the dough to rest for at least an hour. Even without yeast, this resting time helps create a softer, fluffier naan.
- You can easily make vegan naan by using coconut yogurt—they taste great!
- If you prefer whole wheat, you can make whole wheat no yeast garlic naan using the same recipe—just adjust the liquid slightly.
What is Naan Bread?
Naan is a leavened, oven-baked Indian flatbread traditionally cooked in a very hot clay tandoor oven. The dough is stuck to the inner walls of the tandoor and baked at high heat—something you usually see in restaurants.
However, you can easily make garlic naan without yeast at home on a skillet. This is a simple, fail-proof way to enjoy soft naan without eggs or yeast.
Ingredients
You’ll need a handful of ingredients to make this no yeast garlic naan, all easily available in supermarkets.
- Flour – Plain flour (all-purpose flour) is typically used. You can substitute with whole wheat flour if you prefer.
- Yogurt – I use natural full-fat yogurt. Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt works well too.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is essential for this garlic coriander naan. For plain naan, simply skip it.
- Butter – Adds richness and flavour—I love using it here.
- Other essentials – Salt, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder
- Coriander leaves – Use Fresh ones.
This is the best no yeast garlic naan because it turns out soft, fluffy, and full of flavour without any complicated steps. It comes together with simple pantry ingredients and cooks perfectly on a skillet—no tandoor or yeast needed.
How to Make Garlic Naan Recipe without Yeast?
Making garlic naan without yeast is easy with this simple three-step process.
Step 1 – Garlic Butter
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter on low heat and add finely chopped garlic. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
In another bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Step 2 – Knead the Dough
Add everything to a stand mixer and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for 1 hour.
Alternatively, knead by hand until you get a soft, pliable dough.
Step 3 – Cook the Garlic Naan on a Skillet
Roll the dough into a circle or oval (about 0.5 cm thick).
Brush the top with water and place the wet side down onto a hot skillet. Cover and cook for about 1½ minutes (90 seconds), until bubbles form.
Flip and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove and brush with garlic butter. Sprinkle coriander leaves and sesame seeds (optional).
Store the naan in a casserole dish or wrap in a warm towel until ready to serve.
Naan Bread Variations
There are so many naan variations you can easily make at home:
- Butter Naan – Just skip the garlic from this recipe
- Pudina Naan – Add fresh mint leaves or dried mint leaves
- Coriander Naan – One of my favourites. Skip the garlic from this recipe
- Chilli & Cheese Naan – Great for spice lovers
- Stuffed Naan – Endless options!
Have you tried making naan bread pizza with this no yeast garlic naan? It’s absolutely delicious.
Have you tried making some Naan bread Pizza at home with this Garlic Naan? They are super fantastic.
What to Serve With Garlic Naan without Yeast
This no yeast garlic naan pairs beautifully with most Indian curries, such as:
- Vegan Aloo Gobi – Potato & Cauliflower Curry
- Aloo Matar
- Paneer Peshawari
- Dhaba style Dal Makhani
- Paneer Makhani
- Saag Aloo
- SouthIndian Egg Curry
- Palak Paneer
You can also use this garlic naan without yeast to make Naan Bread Pizza.
Storing
In the Fridge: Store garlic naan without yeast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water and warm on a pan over medium heat. You can microwave it too.
In the Freezer: You can also freeze them wrapped in cling film. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat on a pan or in the microwave.
Recipe FAQs
Use self-raising flour, yogurt, and oil. Combine, rest for 15 minutes, roll, and cook on a pan. Add toppings and serve.
Yes, you can substitute yogurt with water. Yogurt helps make the naan softer and fluffier, but it’s not essential.
Yes, use self-raising flour instead.
More Easy Indian Flatbread Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour (all purpose flour) + a little for dusting
- 1 cup yogurt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon butter divided
- 5 cloves garlic finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- Coriander leaves optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare dry ingredients – In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
- Prepare wet ingredients – In another bowl, combine yogurt, 2 tablespoon melted butter, and grated garlic.
Make Garlic Butter
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoon butter on low heat, add chopped garlic, simmer 2 minutes, then set aside.
Knead the dough (2 Ways)
- Stand mixer: Use dough hook, knead 2 minutes until soft.
- By hand: Gradually add wet mixture to dry, knead 5–6 minutes until smooth and supple.
Rest the Dough
- Cover with a damp towel and rest 60–90 minutes. The dough will rise slightly.
Divide and Roll
- After resting, divide dough into equal portions. Roll each into a circle or oval about 0.5 cm thick.
Cook the Naan
- Brush the top with water and place wet side down on a hot skillet/tawa. Cover and cook 1½ minutes until bubbles appear.
- Flip and cook 30 seconds on the other side.
Finish & serve
- Brush with garlic butter, sprinkle coriander leaves if desired. Serve warm. Store leftovers in a casserole or wrapped in a warm towel.
Notes
Sandhya’s Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Garlic Cloves.
- Add garlic in two ways—for the dough and as a topping—for maximum flavour.
- Let the dough rest for at least 1 hour. Even without yeast, it will rise slightly and stay soft.
- Make it vegan by using coconut yoghurt—it’s delicious!
- For whole wheat naan, use whole wheat flour and adjust the liquid slightly.
Kels says
These were lovely!! We will definitely be making again and again! We cooked them in a pan with a little oil because that's all I have. So quick and easy to make.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thank you Kels. So glad you enjoyed making the instant garlic naan recipe. It's such an easy recipe to make without any yeast.
Oli says
They were delicious!!! Full of flavour. My first time making homemade naans did not disappoint. Ended up cooking with extra virgin olive oil in a regular pan though. After cutting up the dough, I chopped up some coriander and threw it and the dough chunks into a mixing bowl and rolled around before rolling out to cook. Very nice!
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Really glad Oli that you enjoyed our Garlic naan bread. They are full of flavour and we love it with coriander too!
Dannii says
We make our own naan all the time. It’s so easy and just tastes so much better than store bought. These look great!
Natalie says
I LOVE garlic naan! Looks absolutely amazing my mouth is literally watering ♥ Can't wait to try your recipe! The pictures are stunning!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I am surprised how easy these are! I am seriously craving them with that garlic butter! Yum!
Mike @ ASaucyKitchen says
As an Englishman who grew up on store bought naan; these look like they're on another level entirely! Nothing better than homemade naan to go along with a good curry.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Thank you soo much. These Naan breads are a delish!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I'm definitely going to have to give making these a try, I do love a garlic naan