Air-Fried Naan: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Making naan in an air fryer is a convenient and tasty alternative to the traditional tandoor oven. The air fryer method simplifies the process, making it quicker and more efficient than oven-baking or stovetop cooking. The result is a soft, fluffy, and slightly crispy naan that's perfect for dipping into curries or enjoying as a snack.

The key to achieving the right texture is to use the right ingredients and to control the temperature and cooking time in the air fryer. The dough typically includes flour, yoghurt, yeast, and seasonings, with options to add garlic butter or other toppings for extra flavour. The air fryer should be preheated to around 180C/350F, and the naan will cook quickly, usually within 10 minutes, but it's important to monitor it closely to avoid burning.

So, if you're looking for a fun and easy way to make naan at home, the air fryer method is definitely worth trying!

How to make the dough

Making naan dough is a simple process, but it does require some time and attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the dough for your naan bread in an air fryer:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact measurements may vary depending on the recipe you are following, but the basic ingredients for naan dough are flour, liquid (milk or water), yeast, sugar, and salt. Some recipes also call for additional ingredients like Greek yogurt, baking powder, oil, or ghee.

Now, you can start making the dough:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm liquid (milk or water). The temperature of the liquid is important as it needs to be warm enough to activate the yeast but not too hot, which can kill the yeast. Let this mixture sit for about 10-30 minutes. You will know the yeast is activated when you see a frothy foam on top.
• In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and yogurt (if using). You can also add oil or ghee at this stage, if your recipe calls for it.
• Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the bowl with the eggs and yogurt. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth mixture.
• Now it's time to add the dry ingredients. Sift or mix together the flour, baking powder (if using), and salt in a separate bowl. Then, slowly add this to the wet mixture, a little at a time, mixing as you go.
• The dough will be quite sticky at this stage. Keep adding flour and mixing until you have a soft dough that is still slightly sticky but not sticking to your hands. You may need to add a significant amount of extra flour, but be careful not to add too much, as this will make the dough stiff and unsuitable for naan.
• Once your dough has come together, it's time to knead it. Knead the dough vigorously for about 5 minutes, forming it into a large, neat ball.
• Place the dough ball back into a mixing bowl and cover it. Let the dough rise for a few hours or even overnight. This will give your naan bread that soft and chewy texture.
• Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead it again for a few minutes.
• Now, divide the dough into 8-12 smaller, equal-sized pieces. You can do this by rolling the dough into a log and then cutting it into portions, or by dividing it with your hands.
• Knead each piece of dough into a neat ball and let them rest for at least 30 minutes.

Your naan dough is now ready to be rolled out and cooked in your air fryer!

How to roll the dough

Now that you've prepared your dough, it's time to roll it out! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to roll the dough for your naan in an air fryer:

• Lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour: This will prevent the dough from sticking as you roll it out.
• Divide the dough into portions: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you'll want to divide the dough into portions that will fit comfortably in the basket. For most air fryers, dividing the dough into 8-10 equal-sized balls will work well.
• Flatten each dough ball: Use your hands or a rolling pin to flatten each dough ball into a circular or oval shape. Aim for a thickness of around 1/2 cm to 1 cm. Remember to keep the dough balls covered as you work to prevent them from drying out.
• Roll the dough: Starting from the centre, use your rolling pin to roll out the dough, working outwards and forming a circle or oval. Gently roll the dough, being careful not to press too hard, which can cause the dough to stick to the surface or the rolling pin. Rotate the dough as you roll to ensure an even thickness.
• Fit the dough to your air fryer basket: Roll the dough to a size that will fit comfortably in your air fryer basket. You may need to adjust the size of each dough ball if you have a particularly small air fryer.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the naan in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
• Let the dough rest: Once you've rolled out each piece of dough, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before placing it in the air fryer. This will help the gluten relax, making the dough easier to work with and resulting in a softer texture.

Remember, when rolling out the dough, be gentle and avoid overworking it, as this can lead to tough naan bread. The dough should be soft, smooth, and slightly sticky. If it's too dry, add a small amount of warm milk or water to adjust the consistency.

How long to cook the naan for

The cooking time for naan in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the desired texture. Most recipes recommend cooking the naan for around 5-7 minutes on one side, and then flipping it over and cooking for an additional few minutes. For example, one recipe suggests cooking the naan for 6 minutes on one side, and then 3 minutes on the other side. Another recipe recommends cooking the naan for 3 minutes on each side, for a total of 6 minutes.

It's important to monitor the naan closely while it's cooking, as air fryers can vary in temperature and cooking times. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer's settings and the thickness of your naan dough. Thicker dough may require a longer cooking time to ensure that the inside is cooked through.

To achieve the characteristic blistering on top of the naan, you can briefly expose the cooked side to an open flame after removing it from the air fryer. This step is optional but adds a traditional touch.

How to make garlic naan

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of milk
• 1/4 cup of warm water
• 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
• 5 tablespoons of butter
• 2 teaspoons of parsley
• 1 cup of self-rising flour (or plain flour)
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 egg

Method:

First, activate the yeast by stirring the yeast, sugar, and water together in a mixing bowl. Let this sit for 10 minutes—you'll know it's ready when foam appears.

Next, add the milk, yogurt, oil, minced garlic, flour, baking powder, and salt to the yeast mixture. Use a dough hook to mix everything together until a dough ball forms.

Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it for about 3 minutes on a floured surface. Place the dough ball back into an oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and set it aside for about an hour to let it double in size.

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 10 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Use a rolling pin to flatten the balls into large ovals that are about 6 inches long and 1/8 inch thick. The thinner you roll them, the more air pockets will form inside the naan while cooking.

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C/350°F. Spray the air fryer basket with a little oil. Place one piece of flattened dough into the basket and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the naan over and cook for another 3 minutes. Repeat this process for the remaining dough.

Finally, in a bowl, add melted butter with the garlic and parsley. Brush this mixture onto the naan after cooking.

Tips:

• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour.
• You can freeze any leftover dough or cooked naan.
• Experiment with different toppings such as mint, oregano, or other Italian seasonings.
• For a simple garlic butter, fry some garlic and prepare a garlic butter to brush on top of the naan.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the garlic naan in a cast-iron skillet on the stove at medium-high heat.

How to store leftover naan

Storing leftover naan is simple and can be done in a few different ways.

Firstly, it is important to let the naan cool completely before storing. Then, you can either store the naan in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If you choose to use a plastic bag, you can follow the example of one source which suggests folding the naan in a tightly woven linen or cotton towel and placing it in the bag, towel and all. The naan can be left at room temperature and will keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container or 2 days in a bag.

If you want to store your leftover naan for longer, you can freeze it. To do this, place the naan in an airtight plastic bag and store it in the freezer. It will keep for up to 3 months. If you expect the naan to sit in the freezer for more than a month, you may want to wrap each one individually in foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, although this is not necessary. When you are ready to eat the naan, defrost it at room temperature and reheat it in an oven or on a skillet at high heat, coating it with ghee, oil or butter.

Frequently asked questions