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Skip the store-bought versions and make your own soft, flavorful gluten free naan bread at home in just minutes. This easy no yeast recipe yields tender, chewy naan that pairs beautifully with curries, soups or dips. With a handful of simple ingredients and no rising time needed, this homemade flatbread is a quick win for any meal. It’s great for those following a gluten free diet and tastes far better than anything you’ll find pre-packaged.
This gluten free naan bread is soft, chewy and made without yeast. It’s quick to prepare and the perfect side for curry, soup or dipping sauces.
You might also enjoy this dairy free butter chicken, some copycat takeout recipes or even homemade poinsettia focaccia bread or pita bread.
Why You’ll Love It
No yeast needed: Ready in a fraction of the time without any rising.
Gluten free friendly: Perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
Versatile side: Pairs with curries, soups and more.
Great texture: Soft inside with a golden, pan-cooked exterior.
Simple ingredients: Easy to find and quick to prepare.
Gluten Free Naan Bread Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Gluten free flour: The base for this yeast-free flatbread.
Xanthan gum: Adds structure and elasticity. It locks in moisture and helps with structure, so if you’re using gluten-free flour it helps the bread hold its shape.
Tapioca starch: Helps create a soft, chewy texture. This is another name for tapioca flour – they’re the same thing. It’s made from the cassava plant and is an alternative to wheat flour. The reason it’s a good addition to gluten free naan bread is it helps bind the dough together. It gives baked goods a nice chewy texture and works well when combined with another type of flour.
Baking powder: Provides lift for a fluffy result.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds richness.
Coconut oil: Contributes moisture and subtle flavor.
Warm water: Helps bring the dough together.
Garlic and garlic powder: Add bold, aromatic flavor throughout.
Olive oil: Used for brushing and pan-frying to achieve crisp edges. I used both coconut oil and olive oil to make my fluffy naan bread. I used coconut oil in the dough and then brushed it with olive oil before cooking.
How to Make No Yeast Naan Bread
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, starch, spices and leavening.
Whisk wet ingredients: Blend egg, oils, water and garlic together.
Make the dough: Slowly mix wet into dry until smooth and pliable.
Knead and portion: Knead briefly, divide into four, then roll out flat.
Cook the naan: Pan-fry in a hot skillet until golden and bubbly.
Substitutions and Variations
Use avocado oil: Swap for coconut or olive oil if preferred.
Add fresh herbs: Mix in chopped parsley or cilantro to the dough.
Make it dairy free: Ensure all ingredients are plant-based.
Add spice: Stir in chili flakes or cumin for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
With a curry: Enjoy this naan bread with slow cooker dairy free butter chicken, chicken Madras or chickpea curry.
With soup: Pair homemade naan with coconut lentil curry soup. or Thai chicken and sweet potato soup.
How to Store Gluten Free Naan Bread
Store: Keep the naan in a sealed container at room temperature and eat within 2 days.
Freeze: It will freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Warm it back up in a tawa or skillet, or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Don’t skip the xanthan gum: It’s key for structure in gluten free dough.
Use warm water: Helps the dough come together more easily.
Roll evenly: Keep naan thin and uniform for even cooking.
Preheat the skillet: A hot surface gives the best texture and color.
Gluten Free Naan Bread FAQs
Naan has a softer texture than pita, because it typically includes milk and/or yogurt. Butter or eggs might be included in an easy naan recipe too. A baker will make naan dough and then shape it into a ball. After that, they slap it on to the inside walls of a clay oven called a tandoor. As it cooks the bread bubbles and puffs up. Pita, on the other hand, can be made in the stove or in the oven. It puffs up in one big bubble and then you can stuff it when it’s cooked.
Indian pizza sounds pretty good to me! Spread tomato or garlic based sauce on top of gluten free naan bread. Add cooked curried chicken, onions, and maybe bell peppers too. Broil or grill it until it’s slightly charred around the edges, and serve with Greek yogurt (or similar) for dipping.
Gluten Free No Yeast Naan Bread Recipe
Gluten Free Naan Bread
Equipment
- Stand Mixer or Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 Cup gluten free flour
- 1 Teaspoon xanthan gum
- ½ Cup tapioca starch
- ½ Tablespoon baking powder
- ½ Teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- ¾ Cup water, warm
- 1 Teaspoon garlic, crushed
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, melted coconut oil, warm water, and crushed garlic.
- Slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough is smooth and pliable.
- Use your hands to knead the dough. If it is too crumbly, add more warm water, a tablespoon at a time, until smooth.
- Shape dough into a ball and divide into 4 equal portions. Place on a floured work surface and roll each section out to ⅛-inch thick. Brush each dough round with olive oil.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Place naan bread into the skillet 1 or 2 at a time.
- Cook each side for 2 minutes, or until air bubbles begin to form. Remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
Use warm water: Helps the dough come together more easily.
Roll evenly: Keep naan thin and uniform for even cooking.
Preheat the skillet: A hot surface gives the best texture and color.
Nutrition
If you’ve been searching for a fast, reliable gluten free flatbread, this gluten free naan bread is sure to become a new favorite. It’s full of flavor, easy to prepare and holds up beautifully to saucy dishes. Whether you’re gluten free by necessity or choice, this easy naan recipe delivers a satisfying, homemade bread option that skips the yeast but keeps all the goodness. Make gluten free naan just once and it’ll be a go-to for your next curry night!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Do you have to use iron skillet ??
I am sure you can try a regular pan to see if it works.