Naan (2024)

FAQs

Is naan healthy or unhealthy? ›

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

Flour, yeast, milk, and butter make a tender dough that's simply seasoned with garlic and salt, but there is a wide array of naan bread flavors. You'll find everything from coconut and raisin-stuffed bread to saucy lamb-topped naan in restaurants and home kitchens around the world.

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

Naan is a soft, pillowy flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor. This cylindrical clay or metal oven, prevalent in restaurant kitchens across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Central Asia, reaches scorching temperatures, imparting a distinct smoky flavor to foods.

Allergies. Because most naan varieties contain ingredients with wheat and gluten, those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or wheat allergy should avoid this food.

On the other hand, naan has almost three times the carbohydrate content (45 grams) compared to loaf bread and pita (around 13 to 17 grams). So yes, you can still eat pita and naan when trying to lose weight, but in moderate amounts.

Assemble the naan by spreading two tablespoons of hummus over a piece of naan. Top with a couple large dollops of the tzatziki, followed by two fried eggs. Drizzle the hot sauce over the top then garnish with green onions and a sprinkle of the Everything Bagel seasoning. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Traditionally with Indian food, naan (or other various Indian breads) is served as an accompaniment to curry, chutney, saag paneers, etc. to scoop the contents of your meal up. In Italy, bread is served with your meal, and used to scoop the remaining pasta sauce from the bowl ('fare la scarpetta').

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

When eating bread, small portions (roti, naan) are folded into a small pocket to scoop the desired amount of curry. Most food is prepared to be bite-sized, but when large items such as a chicken leg are served, it is acceptable to eat with one's hands.

Should you toast naan? ›

The toaster can be used to reheat your naan bread but it's not the best method to do so. The naan gets really dry and there's no way that you can add water to the naan before toasting. That said, it's really quick and a decent option when a toaster is all you have to reheat the bread.

Naan is made from the basic ingredients of wheat flour, water/milk, salt and yeast. It is shaped in artisan production, mostly by hand. The secret to the special taste is a combination of the baking process in the traditional tandoori oven and the addition of Indian yoghurt, which makes the dough light and loose.

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha).

Since most naan breads contain fiber from whole wheat, they are a healthier grain choice than white rice, which is devoid of fiber. However, brown rice is a healthier grain choice than naan because it's fiber rich and contains less salt and fewer calories.

Vegetarian options are often lower in calories and saturated fats while providing ample protein and fiber. Consider trying dishes like Palak Paneer (spinach and cottage cheese), Baingan Bharta (roasted eggplant), or Daal (lentil curry) for a satisfying and healthful dining experience.

Whole wheat flour. I replaced a portion of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to make the naan healthier and little less of a guilty-pleasure. It can be enjoyed more frequently than the indulgent pure all-purpose flour version.