Air-Fried Naan Bread: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Naan bread is a soft, leavened flatbread that is a staple in Indian cuisine. It is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, an urn-shaped oven made of clay. However, you can also make delicious naan bread in an air fryer. This method is more efficient and convenient than traditional cooking methods, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The air fryer's precise temperature control ensures consistent results, and it is also energy-efficient.

How to make naan bread dough

Naan bread is a delicious staple of Indian cuisine and can be made in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the dough:

Firstly, you will need to activate the yeast. In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water or milk. The liquid should be hand hot. Stir well and set aside for 10-20 minutes or until the yeast has dissolved and the mixture becomes frothy. You should see foam appear on the surface. Cover the bowl with a cloth and place it in a warm spot for 30 to 60 minutes to activate the yeast.

Now, it's time to add the other ingredients to the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg and stir in some yoghurt until smooth. You can also add minced garlic, oil, baking powder, and salt to this mixture. Once the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the yoghurt mixture and stir well. Alternatively, you can add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the yeast mixture directly and mix to form a ball of dough. If you are using a stand mixer, you can use it to mix the dough.

The dough will be sticky at this stage. Gradually add more flour until you have a soft dough that is no longer sticking to your hands. Be careful not to add too much flour, as you want the dough to remain soft and sticky.

Once the dough is ready, it's time to knead it. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes on a floured surface. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step if you prefer. After kneading, form the dough into a large, neat ball.

Place the dough ball back into a mixing bowl, cover it, and let it rise. You can let it rise for a few hours or even overnight. This will allow the dough to double in size.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it again for a few minutes. Now, you can separate the dough into 6 to 12 smaller, equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a neat ball and let them rest for at least 30 minutes.

And there you have it! Your naan bread dough is now ready to be rolled out and cooked in your air fryer. Enjoy the delicious taste of freshly made naan bread!

How to cook naan bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup warm milk
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3-4 tablespoons water for kneading
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

Method

• Whisk the warm milk, active dry yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes. The mixture should be frothy. If not, start over with new yeast.
• In a separate bowl, add the flour, salt, plain yogurt, oil, and garlic. Then, add the yeast mixture.
• Mix everything and knead with water to form a soft, smooth, and elastic dough.
• Brush some oil on the dough and cover it with plastic wrap. Keep it in a warm place for at least 2 hours to rise.
• To make garlic butter, mix the butter, cilantro, and garlic in a small bowl.
• Place the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal balls.
• Using a rolling pin, flatten the balls into a round shape, around 1/2 inch thick. Keep the other dough balls covered.
• Brush some garlic butter on top.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
• Brush some oil in the air fryer basket, place the naan in the basket, and cook for 7-8 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Do not turn over.
• Brush some garlic butter on the naan immediately after removing it from the air fryer. Repeat with the remaining naans.

Tips

• You can use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour.
• You can substitute olive oil for vegetable oil.
• Use almond milk or soy milk instead of regular milk.
• You can replace the garlic with garlic powder.
• Swap cilantro with parsley.
• Use honey instead of sugar.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in the air fryer or oven for 2-3 minutes at 350°F.

How to make garlic butter naan bread

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of milk
• 1 tsp of dried yeast
• 3 cups of plain Greek yoghurt
• 900g of plain white flour, plus more for kneading and dusting
• 1 tbsp of baking powder
• 3 tbsp of melted butter or ghee
• 2 tbsp of minced garlic
• 5 tbsp of butter
• 2 tsp of parsley
• Salt
• Sugar
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Method:

• Heat the milk in a jug in the microwave until it is hand hot. Stir in the yeast and sugar and cover with a cloth. Place in a warm place for 30 to 60 minutes to activate the yeast. It will become frothy.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and yoghurt together. Once the yeast has bubbled up, pour it into the bowl and stir.
• Now, mix in the baking powder and salt with the flour and sift half of it over the liquid mixture. You can mix by hand or use a stand mixer.
• The dough will be too sticky to handle. Slowly add more flour until you have a soft dough that is not sticking to your hands.
• Knead the dough for about 5 minutes and then form it into a large, neat dough ball. Place the dough ball in a mixing bowl and cover. Allow to rise for a few hours or overnight.
• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead for another few minutes. Then, separate the dough into 8 to 10 smaller, equal-sized pieces. Knead each piece a little and form them into neat balls. Rest for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C/350°F. Spray your air fryer basket with a little oil.
• Roll one of the dough balls out into a circular or oblong naan and then cook for 3 minutes at 180°C/350°F. Flip the naan over and cook for a further 3 minutes. The naans need to cook in one layer, so you may need to work in batches and keep the cooked naans warm.
• In a bowl, add melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Brush this mixture onto the naan after cooking.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

How to store leftover naan bread

Naan bread is best consumed fresh out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, there are ways to store it to maintain its freshness and flavour.

Room Temperature Storage

If you plan to consume your leftover naan bread within a few days, the best way to store it is at room temperature. Let the naan bread cool down completely, then place it in an airtight container or resealable bag. It will stay soft and fresh for approximately three to four days.

Refrigerator Storage

If you want to extend the shelf life of naan bread by a few days, you can store it in the refrigerator. Place the bread in an airtight container or bag to prevent it from drying out. It will stay fresh for up to two days in the refrigerator.

Freezer Storage

For longer-term storage, freezing is the best option. Let the naan bread cool down completely, then place it on a baking tray lined with baking paper, ensuring the loaves do not touch each other. Place the tray horizontally in the freezer for 2-3 hours until the bread is frozen. After that, transfer the frozen naan bread into an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

To reheat frozen naan bread, defrost it completely, then warm it in the air fryer, oven, or toaster for a few minutes until heated through.

How to reheat naan bread

Naan bread is a delicious Indian flatbread that can be easily reheated in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Just like you would preheat an oven, preheating your air fryer is essential for even cooking and achieving the perfect texture for your naan bread. Set the temperature to around 180°C/350°F and let it preheat for a few minutes. This usually takes around 3 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.

Step 2: Prepare the Naan Bread

If you have large naan bread, break it into multiple pieces so that they fit comfortably in your air fryer. You want to ensure that the pieces don't overlap too much, as this can affect even cooking.

Step 3: Place the Naan Bread in the Air Fryer

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to put the naan bread inside. Place the pieces into the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap too much. You may need to work in batches if you have a lot of naan bread or a smaller air fryer.

Step 4: Reheat the Naan Bread

Now, simply cook the naan bread in the air fryer for a few minutes until it's warmed through and regains its original texture. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer, but it usually takes around 3-4 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.

Step 5: Brush with Butter or Oil (Optional)

For added flavour and moisture, you can brush the reheated naan bread with melted butter, ghee, or olive oil. This step is entirely optional but can enhance the taste and texture of your naan bread.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Your naan bread is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favourite Indian curry, dip it in hummus or tzatziki, or use it as a base for a delicious naan pizza.

Reheating naan bread in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy this delicious Indian bread. It's important to monitor the naan bread closely during the reheating process to avoid overcooking or burning it.

Frequently asked questions