This easy naan bread recipe is made with wholesome ingredients, including spelt flour, olive oil, and yogurt. It's a great accoutrement to soup, stew, Indian dal or even as a pizza base.
I think of my dad's homemade pizza dough while making this bread, the smell is so similar.
He would make and knead his dough, then cover it to rise. Little Lauren would be waiting in the wings to pinch off yeasty bites for consumption.
While there's no yeast, this flatbread is soft, fluffy, and delicious for serving with soup, stew, or (our favorite) this Indian dal recipe.
And it makes a great pizza base!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Spelt flour - Whole wheat flour can also be used.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Sea salt
- Plain yogurt - You may be able to use Greek yogurt, though you will need a bit more liquid.
- Applesauce - This doesn't serve to sweeten, but rather it helps create a soft texture. An equal amount of olive oil can be substituted.
- Water - Use warm water to help with mixing.
Recipe notes
This is my favorite spelt flour to use.
Easy Naan Bread (NO Yeast)
Ingredients
- 2 cups spelt flour plus more for kneading and rolling
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 Tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons applesauce
- 1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ - ¾ cup warm water
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).
- Stir in the wet ingredients (yogurt, applesauce, oil, water); using the same bowl is fine.
- Stir until everything is well combined and forms a dough.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it a bit, adding flour, as necessary, so that the dough is no longer sticky.
- Set the ball of dough aside and cover it with a damp towel.
- Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 pieces, depending on your desired size.
- Lightly flour your surface and roll each ball of dough into an oval shape.
- Place the pieces onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Lightly brush each side of the bread with olive oil.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until a bit puffed up and golden.
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Strength and Sunshine
I've only tried making gf/vegan naan once since I'm dieing for some, but it was a fail! Haha! I've been waiting to get to the only (out of the way) store that carries unsweetened coconut yogurt I can use...until then....
Charlotte Moore
Sweet memories alone with the sad ones. This bread looks good.
Clotilde/craftybegonia
Hi, visiting you via Healthy Vegan Fridays, that flatbread looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to pass it on to my mom who loves chapati and pita bread.
Shannon
I think reading the stories that go along with the recipe is so important! It is so fun to know that bloggers are real people and not just a computer screen.
Lauren
I agree Shannon! P.s. Thanks for all the sharing you do on FB...it hasn't gone unnoticed! xo
Kyra
I often feel that I should have one of those "jump to recipe" buttons too so people can skip whatever I happen to be rambling about that day! But I enjoyed reading your story - well, maybe "enjoy" isn't quite the right sentiment, but it pulled on my heartstrings. Hold on to those happy memories of your father <3
And these flatbreads look amazing, I will have to try both them and your red lentil dal!
Lauren
Thanks so much Kyra, and thanks for reading! xo
Ana
A tender story, and amazing looking recipe! The bittersweet note for me is that I understood that Spelt is NOT gluten-free ... am I incorrect in that understanding. Thank you for sharing!
Lauren
Spelt isn't gluten-free, but it isn't genetically-modified in the same fashion that wheat is, making it a better choice for those who aren't actually celiac.
Isabel
Lauren, while I am interested in your recipes, I am just as much interested in your thoughts and emotions that go along with it. Cooking is more than the sum of the ingredients. So, in short, don't add that button.
Lauren
Aw, thanks so much Isabel, you made my morning! 🙂
vanessa
hello, can you let the dough rest in the fridge over night and roll and bake the next day?
Lauren
I'm not sure Vanessa, as I haven't tried, but I think it would be okay.
Lauren Deegan
I tried making yeast-free naan on my own but failed miserably, this post was super helpful. Thanks for the recipe.
swathi
Looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop pinning
April J Harris (@apriljharris)
What a lovely post, Lauren! I enjoyed reading your memories of your Dad. I'm sorry you lost him so suddenly and so young. I miss my Dad every day, but I was very lucky to have him in my life for a lot longer. Your Spelt Nan Flatbread looks amazing. I'm pinning it to try - Nan bread in the UK is tasty but not so healthy (white flour, lots of sugar etc) and your version would mean I could enjoy nan on my healthy eating journey! Thank you for being a part of our Hearth and Soul Hop.
Phil
This recipe is fantastic. I love this and have made it many times .Keep up the good work.
Selesteen Filmore
I made the flat bread this weekend, oh my goodness, it was perfect and delicious. It was amazing. I was hoping it came out looking like the pictures and it did. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
Thanks for your comment Selesteen, I'm so happy you liked the flatbread!
Shraddha Rathi
I mistakenly swapped spelt flour for Kamut Khorasan and it turned out to be a double lucky day, forts to find your recipe which is juts perfect and then successfully make them with entirely different flour. I also tried them again with spelt flour and they turn out just perfect 👌
Thank you so much,
X
Shraddha
Nina Leonard
Will this recipe work with the Namaste Foods - gluten free perfect flour brand....
Lauren
I'm sorry, I don't know.
Nika
I only have access to a dehydrator which goes to a max of 80 degrees Celsius. I also have an air fried. Is it possible to make them in one of these appliances?