Fluffy Whole Wheat Naan Bread

If you're someone who's looking to cut down on refined carbs or just looking for an easy yeast bread recipe, this whole wheat flatbread is a great place to start. This bread is a slightly healthier version of our other regular fluffy naan, but it's so good you really won't miss the white flour.

Plus, it only takes about 15 minutes of prep time and that includes the time it takes to knead it.  Slather it while it's still warm with olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, or use it to scoop up your favorite hummus, or for lunchbox wraps and naan pizza. For anyone new to making naan or yeasted flatbreads, I've included step-by-step recipe photos and instructions at the end of the post.

Fluffy Whole Wheat Naan Bread Ingredients

• ⅓ cup plain greek yogurt (80g)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (45g)
• 1 large egg (50g)
• ½ cup water (115g)
• 2 teaspoons active yeast (6g)
• 2 ½ to 3 cups whole wheat flour (340g-425g)*
• 1 teaspoon sugar (6g)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste

How to Make Whole Wheat Naan Bread

You can make this naan bread using a stand mixer, or by hand. I provide both sets of instructions in the recipe card.

1. Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl combine the yogurt, olive oil, egg, and water and whisk until smooth.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, add the yeast, sugar, salt, and just 2 cups (280g) of the flour and whisk to combine (*reserve the remaining 1 ½ cups flour to add in increments if needed later on).
3. Make the dough.  Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed until flour is mostly combined. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour in increments about ½ cup (70g) at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to your fingers. Knead the dough on medium speed for 8-10 minutes. *if you don't have a stand mixer, see notes below for the no-mixer method.
4. Proof the dough (let it rise). Make a round ball out of the dough and place it in a very lightly oiled bowl and cover with recyclable plastic wrap. Place it in a draft-free area until doubled in size (about 1-1 ½ hours).
5. Portion the dough. Remove the dough and gather it into a ball and flatten slightly.  Cut the dough in half, then quarters and then eighths, or just pinch off pieces the size you prefer.  Roll each piece of dough out to ¼" thick working with one at a time.
6. Cook the naan. Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron (or other heavy-bottomed) skillet to medium-high and add one piece of rolled dough at a time and cook until bubbles appear and the bottom is slightly browned, flip the naan over, slightly press on the dough with a spatula for a couple of seconds and continue cooking until nicely browned.  Remove cooked naan to an aluminum foil-lined plate, brush with a little olive oil (or ghee), and seal the aluminum foil closed to keep the naan warm and hydrated while you cook the remaining pieces. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!  

Fluffy Whole Wheat Naan Bread tips + tricks + FAQ's

• Why doesn't my whole wheat naan bread dough bubble up as much as regular all-purpose flour naan? When cooking the whole wheat naan it tends to not bubble up quite as much as the regular all-purpose naan, but it still has a super soft, "floppy" texture, and the taste is amazing because of the nuttiness of the whole wheat. Whole wheat flour is actually a more dense flour and full of minerals and nutrients intact so it is a bit heavier than white all-purpose flour in general.
• What is naan bread?  Naan bread is a leavened bread that typically uses yeast or a natural starter to make a simple flatbread that's cooked in a tandoor.
• When was naan first made? The first recorded history of Naan can be found in the notes of the Indo-Persian poet Amir Kushrau in 1300 AD.
• Where does naan come from? Naan comes from South Asia areas of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, and the surrounding areas.
• Does naan use yeast? Yes, naan uses yeast to leaven the bread, but it's easier than most yeast doughs to make.
• What's the difference between naan and pita bread? Naan and Pita bread are both flatbreads, but naan is typically made using yogurt, eggs, milk, and even sometimes butter giving it a different texture once cooked, whereas pita bread is a more basic dough that typically uses ingredients like flour, salt, yeast, and water to make.
• Is naan healthier than pita bread?  Although naan and pita bread both taste great, pita bread is considered to be somewhat healthier than naan because it contains less fat and calories. This is because naan usually contains added yogurt and eggs and may even contain more oil or added butter than pita bread.
• Is naan the same thing as roti bread?  Naan is not the same thing as roti bread. Naan is a leavened bread that uses yeast and fats to make a soft, airy bread, whereas roti bread is unleavened and typically uses whole wheat flour. Sometimes roti bread uses baking powder to give it a little lift, but it's not as fluffy as naan and does not share the same texture.
• Can you freeze naan bread?  Yes, you can freeze naan bread by allowing it to completely cool to room temperature, stacking it, wrapping in plastic, and placing it in an airtight freezer bag. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight or on the countertop and reheat it in a sealed aluminum foil packet in a preheated oven for a few minutes. You can also steam it, or heat it in a covered skillet for a few minutes until warmed through.

Try Our Other Naan Recipes

If you like naan, here are a couple of other great-tasting recipes we think you might like.

• Fluffy Cast-Iron Skillet Naan Bread
• Easy Whole Wheat "Everything" Naan Bread

Let's get started!

📖 Recipe

Fluffy Whole Wheat Naan Bread

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• Author: Kelly
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 large or 12 medium naan
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

If you're looking for a way to have less refined carbs in your diet, but still crave soft and fluffy bread, this easy, and delicious whole wheat naan bread is a great place to start. This healthier version of our favorite fluffy naan tastes super delicious and pairs with hummus, curry, or to make naan pizza.

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Ingredients

• ⅓ cup plain greek yogurt (80g)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (45g)
• 1 large egg (50g)
• ½ cup water (115g)
• 2 teaspoons active yeast (6g)
• 2 ½ to 3 cups whole wheat flour (340g-425g)*
• 1 teaspoon sugar (6g)
• ½ teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste

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Instructions

1. Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl combine the yogurt, olive oil, egg, and water and whisk until smooth.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, add the yeast, sugar, salt, and just 2 cups (280g) of the flour and whisk to combine (*reserve the remaining 1 ½ cups flour to add in increments if needed later on).
3. Make the dough.  Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Mix on low speed until flour is mostly combined. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour in increments about ½ cup (70g) at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to your fingers. Knead the dough on medium speed for 8-10 minutes. *if you don't have a stand mixer, see notes below for the no-mixer method.
4. Proof the dough (let it rise). Make a round ball out of the dough and place it in a very lightly oiled bowl and cover with recyclable plastic wrap. Place it in a draft-free area until doubled in size (about 1-1 ½ hours).
5. Portion the dough. Remove the dough and gather it into a ball and flatten slightly.  Cut the dough in half, then quarters and then eighths, or just pinch off pieces the size you prefer.  Roll each piece of dough out to ¼" thick working with one at a time.
6. Cook the naan. Heat a well-seasoned cast-iron (or other heavy-bottomed) skillet to medium-high and add one piece of rolled dough at a time and cook until bubbles appear and the bottom is slightly browned, flip the naan over, slightly press on the dough with a spatula for a couple of seconds and continue cooking until nicely browned.  Remove cooked naan to an aluminum foil-lined plate, brush with a little olive oil (or ghee), and seal the aluminum foil closed to keep the naan warm and hydrated while you cook the remaining pieces. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!  

Notes

• Omit the sugar altogether if you're trying to reduce your sugar intake, or substitute honey or another sweetener.
• MealPrep: Double or triple the recipe and freeze the cooled naan stacked in your preferred portions inside a freezer bag or other airtight bag and defrost on the counter or in the fridge overnight.
• Refrigerate leftover naan in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.

NO-MIXER METHOD:

1. Follow steps 1-2 as outlined above.
2. Combine the wets and dries. In a medium bowl, add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture, and using a fork, mix until the flour is incorporated.  If the dough is sticky, add more flour in increments about ½ cup (70g) at a time until the dough is no longer sticking to your fingers. (*see photos below)
3. Knead the dough. Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes until the texture is fairly smooth and no longer shaggy.
4. Proceed with the remaining steps.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Rest Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breads
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Southeast Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 naan
• Calories: 115

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Easy Whole Wheat Naan Bread step-by-step recipe instructions + photos