Naan without yeast, yes, you heard it right. You can make without yeast if you do not have at home. Yet achieve soft and fluffy results.

Naan is perfect for lunch or dinner. Goes well with rich gravies like paneer butter masala or malai kofta.
The first time when I tried making naan at home, I took the recipe from a cookbook and it had yeast in it.
My hubby does not liked the smell of yeast, me neither😷. Maybe I didn't know the right way of using it (but I used an active one, that's for sure).
The next time, almost after 2 years😏, I tried out the same recipe, omitting the yeast part. It came out quite good! 💃 I thought of sharing with you all.
About
Naan is an Indian flatbread with all purpose flour, usually baked in desi oven tandoor.
At home we have adapted to cook over stove top in tawa. Common ingredients are yeast, cooking soda, baking powder, milk and curd for soft results.
In this recipe, I have omitted yeast, yet obtained softer results because of cooking soda and baking powder.
Substitutions
All purpose flour - If you want to replace maida AKA all purpose flour with wheat flour, yes you can. The taste and texture varies. You can try 50 50 ratio or add gluten to it.
Baking powder - I would not recommend skipping this as this is a no yeast version and it lends softens as well as reason for puffing while cooking.
Cooking soda - You can experiment reducing the quantity, but do not skip.
Milk & curd - These are also added for softness, so please do not skip.
Yeast - If you want to try with yeast, then you can skip cooking soda and add only baking powder. Refer my Kashmiri naan post for naan with yeast dough.
Make sure to use fresh stock of baking powder and baking soda to avoid weird smells. If you skip curd or over do with these leavening agents, it will not smell good.
Method
1. Sieve maida with baking powder and cooking soda for 3 times firstly.( to ensure even mixing)
Take sieved flour in a bowl and make a dent in the centre.
2. After that, pour milk,curd,salt,sugar in that dent.
3. Mix well after a minute, gather the flour with your finger tips and don't knead hard.
4. Keep aside covered for 2-3 hours. (U can keep overnight too)
Knead the dough smoothly at the time of making and make even sized balls.
5. The size should be that of a tennis ball.
6. Dust the rolling platform generously with maida and roll it in oblong shape. Double the thickness of chapati/ roti.
Apply water on top of naan surface.
7. Heat a tawa and put water applied side facing down in tawa.
Cook covered in medium flame.
After a minute if you open, could see it has puffed up.
9. Now turn the pan upside down and cook the otherside on direct flame till the other side becomes light golden in colour.
10. If you are not comfortable in this u can simply take and put the naan in direct flame as you do for phulka. Otherwise simply flip it in tawa itself and cook. It's your choice. But cooking in direct flame sure gives a good finish to the naan.
Apply butter/ghee over both sides and serve hot.
Recipe card
Naan without yeast
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sieve maida with baking powder and cooking soda for 3 times firstly.( to ensure even mixing)
- Take sieved flour in a bowl and make a dent in the centre.
- After that, pour milk,curd,salt,sugar in that dent.
- Mix well after a minute, gather the flour with your finger tips and don't knead hard.
- Keep aside covered for 2-3 hours. (U can keep overnight too)
- Knead the dough smoothly at the time of making and make even sized balls.
- The size should be that of a tennis ball.
- Dust the rolling platform generously with maida and roll it in oblong shape. Double the thickness of chapati/ roti.
- Apply water on top of naan surface.
- Heat a tawa and put water applied side facing down in tawa.
- Cook covered in medium flame.
- After a minute if you open, could see it has puffed up.
- Now turn the pan upside down and cook the otherside on direct flame till the other side becomes light golden in colour.
- If you are not comfortable in this u can simply take and put the naan in direct flame as you do for phulka. Otherwise simply flip it in tawa itself and cook. It's your choice. But cooking in direct flame sure gives a good finish to the naan.
- Apply butter/ghee over both sides and serve hot.
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh stock of baking powder and cooking soda.
A homestyle simple sabji to go with flatbreads:
Aloo gobi I tried after I got the recipe from my friend Sangeeta. It tastes great with this Naan.
Aloo gobi recipe
Recipe Cuisine: Indian | Recipe Category: Lunch
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook time : 15 mins | Serves: 2
Ingredients
- Potato - 2
- cauliflower - 15 bite size florets
- Onion - 1
- Tomato - 1
- Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
- Turmeric - ¼ tsp
- Cumin - 1 tsp
- Coriander leaves - 2 tablespoon Chopped
- Oil/ Ghee - 1 & ½ tbsp
- Salt - as needed
Method
- Microwave potatoes in high for 2 minutes,and peel off the skin and cube it and keep aside.( potatoes should be only ¾ th cooked)
- Parboil cauliflower in salt added water and drain the water and keep aside. Cut onion lengthwise and cube the tomatoes.
- Heat kadai and add oil/ghee and when hot splutter cumin.
- Add onion and fry till transparent, add the tomatoes, red chilli and turmeric powders and fry for a minute.
5. Then add the potato, cauliflower,coriander leaves and sprinkle salt and little water and mix well.
Cook covered till the cauliflower and potato becomes soft but not gooey and absorbs the masla.(mix in between once/twice)
By this time,the tomatoes would have given a coat to the aloo and gobi. Transfer to the serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves.
Transfer to the serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves.
Mahimaa's kitchen
these are the softest nans i have ever seen so far.... girl, send some here.
and i tried your mochai kottai kuzhambu, and it got over in 2 days...i made in large quantity.. it was super tasty dear.
Priya
Thats a genius idea of making naans without yeast Raks..Naans looks prefect and ur aloo gobi tempts me a lot, looks too delicious!
LG
'No yeast naan' made me jump to this post 😀 Loved the combo Raji. They looks soo yumm together 🙂
Sharmilee! :)
I am a big fan of nans but havent taken up courage to try it....but urs looks nice fluffy. Bookmarked, will definitely try it soon!
sriharivatsan
Wow, that really tempting dear..Aloo Gobi looks very much attractive..With nans lying beside, Ah!!! I can imagine how you would have enjoyed...
Priti
As I told you...the naan looks real yummy with aloo gobi....I'll try and let you know okie...inbtw Enjoy your trip ..have a gud time 🙂
Sushma
awesome.., great job..
naan without yeast is what I also want to try. Thanks a lot for the recipe.
Nags
This looks so good, and no yeast either! Gotta try!
Kitchen Flavours
Must try for me....Looks yum....Love the vibrant color of curry...
Happy cook
When ever i made naan it was a total disaster, iam sure trying your recipe.
Ramya Vijaykumar
Wow naan has come out well without the yeast... The aloo gobi is simply tempting me... Lovely pics...
Ashwini
Wow Naan without yeast..awesome. Definitely will try and let you know. Aloo gobi looks tempting. yumm
Mangala Bhat
wow! awsome ...without yeast intresting 😀 ...will try this soon ..hey mind blowing p[hotos ..i just love that 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipes with us 🙂
Asha
WOW!! Looks fab Raks. I have made the naan with the tava upside down the heat etc too, but looks nothing like your's. Great job girl, Aloo Gobi looks great too. Love Mallika B's books! 🙂
Dibs
Wow! .. the Naaans look amazing! I guess curd, soda, baking powder did the trick - cant imagine why one would add yeast as well on top of that!!! Your Naans came out fantastic without the yeast! Good for you!
Yasmeen
Awesome! Have a fun break:)
jeyashrisuresh
few days back i saw a nan recipe without yeast in someother blog. Really a great attempt. I used to make naan atleast once in amonth a few years back but now a days due to diet reasons not doing .will try this non yeas t version once.aloo gobi super.
TRIED UR RAVA IDLI WHEN I HAD GUESTS YESTERDAY.SUPER HIT. my hubby asked me did u buy this from saravana bhavan!!!!.thank u so much
Madhumathi
Wowww...I can't make perfect Naan.May be becoz of the yeast thing..Thanks for posting this Naan recipe.The Naan looks like the one we get in restaurants..And the aloo gobhi looks so yumm..Perfect side for Naan!
Gita's Kitchen
They look soft and fluffy, i have to try without yeast. Excellent combination with aloo gobi, love it 🙂 Take care dear!
DEESHA
that looks soo soo good .. I have never tried these without yeast ,, loved the aloo gobhi too
Bhawna
Naan without yeast sounds and looks good. Aloo Ghobi looks equally good. Nice combo
Suparna
Hi Raaji,
aloo gobi looks gorgeous 🙂 hmmm the naan without yeast seems an must try recipe, thanks for the alternative recipe.
Have a happy deserved break 🙂
See u soon!
TC
Vibaas
they look soooo soft and yum. aloo gobi is tempting me too 🙂
bookmarked!
indhu
the naan and the sabzi look delicious... am literally drooling 🙂
- Indhu (www.thayirsaadham.com)
Laavanya
What a tantalizing picture that is Raks - both look perfect and the naans look so soft. Enjoy your break.
rekhas kitchen
wow look at that naan mmmmmm so perfect that too with out east realy toooo good dear and best combo. nice click.
Madhu
They both look so lovely together, naan looks so soft,I prefer curds for yeast. Aloo-gobi looks perfect.
Valarmathi
Really tempting. Aloo gobi looks so colorful and yummy Naans.
meeso
Ah, the smell of activated yeast makes me think of my mom baking home made bread or fry bread 🙂 I like your recipe, looks good!
lata raja
Hi,I use the same Mallika Badrinath recipe and typically don't like the yeast flavour.Thanks for showing that we can try without yeast
Cham
naan is very soft and love the curry!
Varsha Vipins
Wah..I cant believe,its a no-yeast Naan.That superb Raks..No fuss at all..The pics kill..Yumm-o!..I'll surely try n let u knw dear..:)
A_and_N
The naan looks great. Bookmarked!
Prathibha
Wow very pluffy naana...i also make them without yeast and in the same way other than baking soda...will give a try definitely..
Chitra
I was waiting for this post, sure goona make it;)Love the pics,sen told he doesnt like naan, but i'll try it out!!Thanks for sharing!!
AnuSriram
Thats a lovely combo! Looks inviting!
Vicky Xavier.
I have never made naan at home. Nice tips and explanation. I will try n let u know. Ur naan looks so soft and fluffy. Nice combo.
Madhumathi
Hi
I followed your Naan recipe and made it for dinner.It was sooooo good..fluffy and soft like we get in restaurants.
Thanks,Raks for the simple method!
Vishali
hey first time here. Completely fell in love with ur blog and also the Naan. wt shld I tell u abt my attempt with yeast similar to urs :). Will try this looks mouth watering.
Suma Rajesh
both looks great..
Pooja
Both looks absolutely perfect..I havent tried making Naans yet. Would love to try out yours 🙂
Lavanya
first time here..wonderful blog..naan without yeast looks perfect n yummy!!
sowmya
they look so perfect even without the yeast..subji is tempting too..
Malar Gandhi
I liked the idea of without yeast, you know. Looks so perfect like the one we get at restaurants.
Madhumathi
Good to know your MIL is in Chidambaram.Do pay a visit to our home when you come here..I will be honored 🙂
Uma
those nans look super soft and yummy! Aloo gobi looks great too! Nice combo! Enjoy your break!
Ammu
Good feast to eyes as well. Looks perfect that too without yeast. wonderful
Pavithra
wow looking fantastic, adorable. Looking so soft and good pictures too dear
Le @HC
Naans are really soft. Nice colorful presntation, Raks.
nisha
Hi
I am following your blog for some time and find your receipies simple and delicious.
I am using same receipe you gave for naan from last so many years and it never failed.
You can use same dough for Bhathuras as well. Mean you have deep fry instead of roasing on tawa.
with best wishes
Nisha
Little Poetess
dearest rajeshwari aunty,
Its me little poetess!
And your photos make my mouth water!
Seena
Nice recipe for the Naan, Raj! I should get one book of Mrs.MB.. 🙂
Prema Sundar
Just made this yesterday for dinner.. Love it with phulkas.. The color of ur aloo gobi looks lovely and attractive. willpost my version soon.
Cynthia
They came out perfect!
Tina
first time to ur blog...Naan looks so perfect nd soft.....
Sumathi
These Naans looks great..They look soft also..Must give it a try have bookmarked it..
Priya
I did naan without yeast yaar, they turned out yum..thanks for this yummy post!
Kavitha
tatz a yummy one...tis is my first visit to ur blog....loved it so much tat hav immediately added it my favs...keep rocking raks 🙂
TBC
How gorgeous does that look! The aloo gobi pics are so bright and vibrant!
Sanghi
Mmm lovely and perfect naan recipe.. Love it!
Manidipa
Nice recipe ... just want to know how long does the nans stay soft .. i am planning to try this tomorrow but my mom in law has a habit of eating after all of us are done in that case she may not be able to enjoy the real taste and i fear the nans may turn hard.. kindly suggest .. pls also let me know - can i increase the proportion of baking powder instead of soda.
RAKS KITCHEN
Hi Manidipa,
This nan stays soft reasonably till 4-5 hrs to my knowledge,keep covered thats all don't worry!
Rathna
Loved the detailed pics Vijaya. Naan looks super soft, will try without yeast next time I make Naans. I'm also planning to make your broad beans curry very soon. Will let you know how both turns out 🙂
Veggie Food Journal
Sitting in the office...getting bored...thought of checking some food blogs...glad to find your space.
Radha Ramaswamy
I too don't like yeast.
I like your nan.
Sudha
Hi, I was googling for some naan recipe without yeast and came across yours. I am glad that I did.It came out very well and soft and my husband was all in praises after tasting it. U wont believe me, in the past one month, I have made it atleast 4 times for various occasions and it was always a hit. I am in Germany now, and the last time I made it was for a house party and even the Germans who tasted it liked it very much. Thanks for the recipe.
RAKS KITCHEN
Thankyou so much sudha for spending time to give feed back to me!!
Glad you all liked it and keep visiting:)
PD Reporter
Thanks for the recipe - it came out very well..but I was wondering how it would turn out with yeast whith Mallika B's recipe...would you please email me ?? I would really appreciate it !!!!!
Meena
I made this naan and it turned out excellent...but am still curious to try Mallika Badrinath's recipe of naan with yeast...do you have it and would you mind emailing it to me please ?? I would so appreciate it !!
RAKS KITCHEN
Hi meena,glad that it turned out well and sure I will mail you,please mail me at the mail ID given in my profile 🙂
Sreelekha Sumesh
Hi Raks..
This looks simply superb...naan without yeast and oven.will trr it soon.thanks 4 the recipe.
Momof2
I just came across your blog browsing for recipes. You blog is great, I love the pics, and food looks delicious.
I tried the naan yesterday for the first time, came out great. I am also a south Indian, mother of 2 and love to try new things, so your blog is great reference.
Keep up the good work!!
Vidya
Hi,
I tried your Naan Today and It came out Very Well. Thanks for the posting the same.
Regards,
Vidya
egglesscooking
I know what I'm trying this weekend. Beautiful naans, Raks. I'm wondering how it will turn out in an electric range because we don't have gas burner here.
PD
I was searching for a naan recipe without yeast, and i came across ur blog.
These naans luk delicious, i wanna try them, but will it turn out well with electric stove.
Please advice
PD
I was searching for a Naan recipe without yeast, i got to visit ur blog.
I wanna try this tonight, but can you tell me if this will work out well with electric stove.
Please advice.
savitha
Savita Rao - This was one of the best naan's i ever ate !!!!!! A Damn easy recepie ... Thanks a lot !!! looking foward in trying out other recepies ...
savitha
Savita Rao - This was one of the best naan's i ever ate !!!!!! A Damn easy recepie ... Thanks a lot !!! looking foward in trying out other recepies ...
spoo
Hi,very nice naan recipe,i tried it everything was good except the colour.I can see beautiful white colour in your naan but my naans were yellow in colour.Do you have any suggestions?Thanks
spoo
Hi,very nice naan recipe,i tried it everything was good except the colour.I can see beautiful white colour in your naan but my naans were yellow in colour.Do you have any suggestions?Thanks
RAKS KITCHEN
May be its the quality of the flour or some times either the cooking soda if its too much or oil/butter too much in the prepared dough there are chances of turning yellow.
But major thing is the flour...
VidyaSatya
Hi,
Thanks for the receipe and the step by step instructions helped me try it and it turned out to be too good...Way to go, keep rocking...
Anonymous
for dinner i tried this recipe same combination as u did.my hus praised me lot.thanks!
Vaishnu
i tried this recipe with paneer butter masala combination, wow yummy it turned out good,thanks raks.
Soni
Hello Rak,
I made these Naan with the same Aloo Cauliflower subji.. It was a great hit in my house.
Thanks for the recipies.
RAKS KITCHEN
Thanks every one for trying and taking time to leave feedback 🙂
sachu
I really tried with yeast , the smell doesnt nice for me , i searched for a recipe without yeast , found yours !!! great !It looks nice , you gave a clear pic and explained fantastically! I will try naan this week end ! Thank you very much !
Rita
Hi, Looked through your blog and all your pics are wonderful with good explanations. All of them are just waiting to be cooked. Keep going.
Rita
Amanda
I never thought I could make naan from scratch... I used to buy it frozen! Never again. I'm so happy I discovered your blog - you are going to be responsible for teaching a white girl in Montana how to cook Indian food!
devraj_purelyme
hey i tried this one.best naan i ever tried.thanks a lot for this recipe
Addy
Hi,
can u please specify how much is a cup in ml?
i mean 1 cup = ?ml
-Addy
RAKS KITCHEN
1 cup= 240 ml
Vanamala Hebbar
Looks very nice...
B.shweta
hi, i did naan today. it came out very well. i did not believe that i could also do. i thought it was tedious task. but it is not. you made it look very easier. thank u raks!
Kavi
Great way of making naans....never knew it wld be so easy...thanks for sharing the recipe
Happy Cooking
Kavi
Kalpana Sareesh
Raji i tried wheat naan n it came out so good followin this method.. thanks a ton.. do chk out the post pls if time permits..
amazing santro
hi, today only I have gone through so many recipes of yours. I must say I have never visited such a food blog lately. Every recipe looks so sumptous and tempting that I am not able to stop myself trying something right now(we already had dinner... :)) may be I will try the "caramel bread pudding". And you know what i like most about your pages? you have made every recipe so simple by giving step to step pictures of it. thanks a lot.. now I am leaving for kitchen..tomorrow morning I will have to surprise my hubby with the your lovely pudding.. 🙂
vindhya benne
Hi,
I was looking for easy naan preparation without egg.. found your's, must tell you it came out superbly! Thank you, its the first time I m trying out something from your blog.. loved it 🙂
Madhu
Hi ,
Sorry is cooking soda and baking soda diff? where do i get cooking soda ...i m in singapore too..thx
RAKS KITCHEN
Both are same...
nivi
hi .. my naan came up very soft and tasty ....
Anonymous
Thank you so much for the recipe! My naan turned out perfect on the first try! Very Good!!
Anonymous
Thank you so much for the recipe! My naan turned out perfect on the first try! Very good!!
Unknown
Hey Raks... searching over google for naan recipe, after I saw ur site, found the picture was used in some other site..
http://www.friendskorner.com/forum/f22/~recipe-request~-30669/index11.html
Anonymous
I tried this and it was awesome!
Love this website, thank you so much!!
Bonnie
http://www.recipeshappen.com
Gayathri
Naan Goddess!! My family loved the naan and also said it was better than any restaurant! ( Felt like a superstar 🙂 ...thanks to you ) The naan was so soft and didn't lose the texture even when it wasn't hot. Thanks a lot Raks for this amazing recipe.
Surkhab
Your Naan looks soft.I tried it and it turned out awesome....
TrvlAgt
hmmm....curds....another thought....cottage cheese?
TrvlAgt
your non-yeast recipe for naan looks delish....but tell me, what are fresh curds? (I live in the US). Can I use yoghurt?
Raks anand
Its nothing but plain yogurt
TrvlAgt
thank you!
my favorite local Indian Restaurant makes a fabulous naan with coconut, saffron, ground almonds and golden raisins. I can't wait to try this. 🙂
sandhya sekar
surely wil try:)
Anonymous
Hi, I dont have much cooking background or a good track record but I tried this naan recipe. It was easy and came out well too. My hubby was surprised that this can be made at home. Thanks very much for detailed pics, appreciate your hard work very much.
Sharon Johnson
Hi, Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. I luv Naan so much but never knew it could be made at home. The clicks are awesome. Naan came out very well, it was super hit in my family. I just added chopped garlic to make it garlic naan. Once again, thanks a lot for this recipe. I fell in luv with your blog!!!! Hats off!!!
getzica kandaswamy
Hi, thanks a lot for all ur wonderful recipes... naan came out really well..so did most of the recipes from ur blog. .. I never thought I could manage cooking...ur website is a life saver. Only 1 suggestion. ..that is to mention the specific no of people the dish would serve. Bcos I live in a joint family n am new to cooking and specifics would help out a lot. Pls continue to do this great work which helps ppl like me who r new to cooking. . God bless you. ..
Apexs Engg
WONDER FULL COOKING...MADE EASY WITH YOUR RECIPES..ALWAYS HELPING EVERYONE...GB
Ramya Suresh
Hi raks
Can I substitute eno salt for baking powder and soda.if so how much?
Ramya Suresh
Hi raks
You have great recipes. All my Diwali snacks and sweets came exceptionally well. Thank you so much for your exact measurements
Raks anand
I dont think eno can be replaced here.
Padma Sri
HI,
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful version of Naan. I have tried naan many time but it didnt come out wel. After seeing ths version i tried and it came out very well.. Everyone in my family appreciated me.. Thanks once again.
dorothy rebello
Can this b made with wheat flour instead
Raks anand
Yes, sure can try, tastes completely different but
Nisha Rubesh
Made it yesterday...came super soft...The idea of naan without yeast was just fab...keep up the good work...love ur blog for d detailed pics n fail proof methods...
anna poorani
Can baking powder b skipped ??
Raks anand
No
Jayanthi Sindhiya
Tried your naan plenty of times and its always been a success! this is a no fail recipe...thank you so much for all the joy it gave me 🙂
Kavitha
Love this idea! Can we try this with whole wheat flour too?
Raks anand
Yes, may be it will turn out something similar to tandoori roti.
Prabha Sivaram
I am planning to make this naan but problem is most people at home do not prefer maida. So I have to make it with whole wheat flour. Please inform if it will come out well with atta and do I need to add any ingredient to make it soft
Poornima Saminathan
Hi tried your naan, it was super soft but turned out to be rubbery. The dough was very sticky even after dusting with lot of maida. What could be the reason(Pls note, no water added to dough)
Raks anand
Why you did not add water?
sanjeet
is baking powder and cooking soda same? I have baking powder only, can i go with it ?
Raks anand
Baking powder and cooking soda are different. But you can try making.
Fishy
Tried this Naan yesterday for dinner. It came amazing well. My children, husband and I enjoyed it very much. I made garlic naan, ajwain and chilli naan versions. Thank you so much. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you so much.
Demi Shannon
graet
Swetha Sukumar
Is there a recipe with yeast? Can I substitute baking powder with yeast?
Priyaseeman
Hi Raji i tried ur naan without yeast it came out very well... Thankq..
Raks Anand
Thank you Priya 🙂