Amazing Sourdough Naan Bread Recipe

Sourdough Naan Bread is a soft, chewy, and flavorful flatbread that’s remarkably easy to prepare using an unfed sourdough starter. Simply mix the dough in the morning, and by evening, you’ll have warm, homemade naan ready to serve. This versatile recipe is ideal for both experienced bakers and those new to sourdough baking.

Sourdough Naan Bread Recipe

For an extra touch of flavor, I like to finish the naan with a fragrant garlic and coriander butter, the perfect complement to its rich, rustic taste. You may also like my Easy Lemonade Scones Recipe – Only 3 Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup active sourdough starter
  • 1/2 cup full-fat yogurt, e.g Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • extra flour for dusting

Equipment

  • 1 oval cast iron griddle
  • 1 mixing bowls
  • 1 Small bowl
  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 Measuring cup
  • 1 spatula (or a fork)
  • tin foil for wrapping the naan bread
Ingredients for dough

Sourdough Starter


My Sourdough Naan Bread recipe uses an active sourdough starter, and it’s truly what makes this bread so special. The sourdough gives each piece a lovely chewy texture and that unmistakable homemade flavor. If you’ve never baked with sourdough before, you’ll love the depth of flavor and unique character it adds to the dough. The proofing does take a bit longer than regular yeast dough, but trust me, the deliciously soft and flavorful results are absolutely worth the wait.

Yogurt

My personal favorite is Greek yogurt. It’s rich, creamy, and adds a lovely tang to the dough. You can use plain dairy yogurt, or even a good quality plant based yogurt if you prefer a dairy free option.

Flour

I recommended all pupose flour for this Sourdough Naan Recipe, but you can also use wheat flour

Pro Tip: You can prepare the dough a few days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use it, simply let the dough come to room temperature before cooking.

Make The Sourdough Naan Bread In A Few Simple Steps

Here you will follow these steps carefully to make your Sourdough Naan Recipe perfect in all aspects.

Activate Your Sourdough Starter

To make your sourdough starter active, feed it with equal parts flour and water, then let it rest at room temperature until it becomes bubbly and doubles in size. Once it’s light, airy, and full of life, it’s ready to use for baking your naan. After using what you need, store any leftover starter in a clean jar and refrigerate it. Don’t forget to feed it regularly to keep it healthy and active for your next bake.

Make The Dough

Start by adding the flour, warm water, active sourdough starter, sugar, salt, and Greek yogurt to the bowl of your stand mixer. These simple ingredients come together to form the soft, flavorful base for your homemade naan dough.

Mix everything using a fork or spatula until the ingredients start to come together. Next, gradually add the water and use your hands to form the dough. It might feel a little dry at first, but resist the urge to add extra water with a bit of mixing and patience; it will come together beautifully into a soft, workable dough.

At first, the dough will look a little shaggy and uneven. Gently knead it with your hands for a few minutes until it becomes soft and smooth. Once ready, cover the bowl with cling wrap and let the dough rest in a warm spot for about an hour, allowing it to relax and rise beautifully.

After the dough has rested for an hour, give it another quick knead for about two minutes to strengthen the gluten. Cover it again and let it go through bulk fermentation for around four hours, or until it has doubled in size and feels light and airy.

Once the dough has risen beautifully, transfer it onto a lightly floured work surface and gently shape it into a smooth ball. Using a bench scraper or knife, divide the dough into 12 equal portions, about 50 grams each.

Cover the dough balls and let them rest in a warm spot for about 20 minutes to rise slightly. Once ready, lightly flour the top of one dough ball and use a rolling pin to roll it out into an oval shape, about ¼ inch thick. Repeat the same process with the remaining dough balls, keeping them covered until ready to cook.

Fry The Naan Bread

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil. When the pan begins to smoke slightly, it’s ready for cooking. Carefully place one rolled out naan onto the hot skillet and let the magic begin as it starts to puff and bubble.

Then flip it over and let it cook for one more minute. Until golden brown.

Put The Topping On

In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of melted butter with 2 teaspoons each of minced garlic and freshly chopped herbs. Brush this fragrant garlic-herb butter generously over the warm, freshly cooked naan for an irresistibly rich and flavorful finish.

Enjoy with your favorite curry or just on its own.

Let’s Start Our Sourdough Naan Bread Recipe

I hope you love this delicious Sourdough Naan Bread recipe as much as I do! These soft, fluffy naan are perfect alongside your favorite curry or served simply with a brush of garlic butter and a sprinkle of fresh coriander.

Feeling hungry already? Grab your apron and get ready to make this easy, homemade Sourdough Naan Bread. It’s sure to impress every time.

You may also like…

FAQ’S

What makes sourdough naan different from regular naan?

Sourdough naan is made using a natural sourdough starter instead of commercial yeast. This gives the naan a wonderful tangy flavor, a chewy texture, and makes it easier to digest due to natural fermentation.

Can I make sourdough naan without a sourdough starter?

If you don’t have a starter, you can substitute it with a mixture of yogurt and a small amount of yeast, but the unique sour flavor and texture of true sourdough naan will be missing.

How long should I ferment the dough?

The dough usually needs to ferment for 4 to 8 hours at room temperature, depending on how active your starter is and your room temperature. For a deeper flavor, you can cold-proof it in the fridge overnight.

Can I cook sourdough naan without a tandoor or grill?

Yes! You can easily make sourdough naan on a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan on the stovetop. For a charred, restaurant-style effect, finish it under a hot oven broiler for 1–2 minutes.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, let it come to room temperature before rolling and frying.

What can I serve with sourdough naan?

Sourdough naan pairs beautifully with curries, soups, lentil dishes, or grilled meats. You can also brush it with garlic butter or top it with herbs for a flavorful twist.