Air-Fried Naan: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Naan is a delicious Indian flatbread that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish. It is the perfect food to cook in an air fryer as it comes out crispy and delicious, and is really easy to make. In just a few minutes, you can have hot, fresh naan that's perfect for dipping into your favourite sauces or spreads. You can even make it from scratch or use frozen naan bread. So, can you cook naan in an air fryer? The answer is a resounding yes!

Can you cook Naan in an air fryer?

Naan dough preparation

Naan is a soft, pillowy flatbread that is traditionally baked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay or metal oven used in kitchens across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Central Asia. These ovens reach scorching temperatures, giving food a distinct smoky flavour. The naan dough is rolled out and slapped against the tandoor's inner walls, where it sticks and bakes quickly over open flames.

To make naan dough, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour – bread flour or plain/all-purpose flour
• Instant/rapid-rise yeast or active dry yeast
• Sugar
• Salt
• Plain yogurt
• Water
• Butter or ghee
• Optional: anise seeds, nigella seeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic, cilantro, cumin, baking powder, milk, and oil

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Mix the yeast with warm water and sugar. This step is not typical when using instant yeast, but it helps make the naan fluffier and softer. It also ensures that the yeast is active. Let the mixture sit until it becomes foamy.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and any optional dry ingredients such as anise seeds or garlic powder.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Whisk warm milk, yogurt, and water into the dry ingredients. You can also add an egg to make the dough richer and help bind the ingredients together. Mix until a dough forms.

Step 4: Knead and Rest the Dough

Once the dough comes together, you can optionally remove it from the bowl and knead it for a few minutes on a floured surface. Then, place the dough ball back in the bowl, cover it, and let it rest in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size. This allows the dough to rise and become softer.

Step 5: Divide and Shape the Dough

After the dough has risen, divide it into 6-10 equal pieces and roll them into balls. You can eyeball the sizes and not stress about making them perfectly equal. Flatten the balls on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Thinner dough will result in more bubbles, while thicker dough will be chewier.

Step 6: Optional: Add Toppings or Fillings

At this stage, you can optionally brush the dough with butter, ghee, or olive oil for added flavour and moisture. You can also sprinkle on toppings such as nigella seeds and chopped coriander leaves or other herbs and spices.

Step 7: Cook the Naan

Place the flattened dough in an air fryer basket, cast iron skillet, or oven and cook according to your preferred method. For an air fryer, cook at 350-370°F for about 4-6 minutes on one side, without flipping, until golden brown. For a skillet, cook on medium-high heat until the surface is full of air bubbles and the bottom is browned and blistered.

Step 8: Brush with Butter

After cooking, brush the naan with melted butter for a rich, buttery finish. You can also add minced garlic and herbs such as parsley or cilantro to make a garlic butter sauce.

Step 9: Serve or Store

Naan is best served warm with your favourite Indian curry or dal. It can be stored at room temperature for a day or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm in the air fryer or oven until hot.

Air fryer temperature and cooking time

The ideal temperature and cooking time for naan bread in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the desired texture, the air fryer model, and whether you are cooking or reheating the naan.

For cooking naan from scratch, most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 180°C/350°F and cooking for a total of 6 minutes, flipping the naan halfway through. However, some recipes suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 370°F for the same duration. It is important to monitor the naan closely, as air fryers can vary in temperature and cooking times, and thicker dough may require a longer cooking time. Aim for a thin, even thickness of 0.5–1 cm for the best results.

To reheat naan, a lower temperature of 300°F is typically used, and the cooking time ranges from 2 to 5 minutes. Frozen naan can be cooked or reheated at 400°F for 3–4 minutes.

Customizing your naan with toppings, herbs, or spices can also influence the cooking time. For example, brushing the naan with butter, ghee, or oil after cooking can add flavor and moisture, but it may also increase the cooking time slightly.

Brushing with butter or oil

Brushing your naan with butter or oil is an essential step in the naan-making process, as it adds flavour and moisture to the bread. You can brush the naan with melted butter, ghee, or olive oil as soon as it comes out of the air fryer. This will ensure that the naan stays soft and tender, and it will also give it a golden brown colour.

If you want to get creative, you can also make a garlic butter by mixing melted butter with garlic and parsley, or even adding some grated parmesan cheese to the mix. This will give your naan an extra boost of flavour. You can also experiment with other herbs, such as rosemary, or spices like cumin and nigella seeds.

When brushing the naan with butter or oil, be sure to only cook the naan on one side. Cooking it on both sides can make the naan hard. You also don't need to turn the naan over in the air fryer, as it will cook evenly without flipping.

If you're short on time, you can also use store-bought frozen naan bread and simply reheat it in the air fryer. Brush the frozen naan with some melted butter before placing it in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes. You can also reheat leftover homemade naan in the air fryer by heating it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 3 minutes.

Storing and reheating naan

If you wish to keep it for longer, you can freeze the naan in an airtight container or bag for up to two to three months. To defrost, leave the frozen naan in its plastic bag to thaw overnight at room temperature.

There are several ways to reheat naan, including using an air fryer, oven, skillet, or microwave. Reheating naan is a quick process that only takes a few minutes and ensures the naan stays soft and retains its texture and taste.

To reheat naan in an air fryer, spritz the naan with a little water and air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a single layer for about three minutes. You can also reheat naan in an oven by preheating to 400°F, sprinkling the naan with water, and heating for two to three minutes. For a skillet, heat the naan for 30 seconds on each side, and for a microwave, heat for 30 to 90 seconds, depending on the quantity and strength of your microwave.

Naan as a pizza base

Naan bread can be cooked in an air fryer, and it can also be used as a pizza base. Using naan as a pizza base is a quick and easy dinner option that is healthier than frozen pizza and often faster than delivery.

To make naan in an air fryer, you can follow a simple recipe that involves making a dough from flour, milk, yogurt, and other flavourings. The dough is then shaped into balls, flattened, and cooked in the air fryer for around 9 minutes.

When using naan as a pizza base, you can use store-bought naan or homemade naan. Pre-baking the naan for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings will give the pizza a crispier texture. For a healthier option, you can use whole wheat naan.

Various toppings can be added to a naan pizza, including sauce, cheese, and other ingredients like vegetables, meat, or herbs. Popular sauce options include pizza sauce, marinara, fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, or other creative sauces like barbecue sauce, avocado pesto, or alfredo sauce. Mozzarella, parmesan, and burrata are commonly used cheeses, and toppings can include anything from vegetables to meat, depending on your preference.

Naan pizzas can be baked in the oven at 425°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the crust and cheese are golden brown. This results in a quick, tasty, and easy meal that can be customised to your liking.

Frequently asked questions