Air Fryer Garlic Naan Bread

Air fryer garlic naan bread has become my favorite way to get fresh bakery—style flatbread at home in under an hour. Pillowy and tender with buttery garlic topping, this recipe takes weeknight meals to another level without any tricky steps or a tandoor oven. The dough comes together easily and the air fryer creates those signature golden brown spots every time.

My family asks for this naan every time we have curry night and I love how it fills the kitchen with a cozy garlic aroma that reminds me of my favorite Indian restaurant.

Ingredients

• Active dry yeast: Ensures the naan gets a fluffy lift, look for small tight granules that are pale beige
• Warm water: Activates the yeast, always use water that feels just warm on your wrist not hot to touch
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps dough rise, opt for regular white sugar
• Milk: Adds tenderness, use whole milk for richness but two percent works fine
• Plain Greek yogurt: Adds tang and softness, choose unsweetened and check date for freshness
• Oil: Keeps the dough supple, I like mild olive oil or any neutral oil with no overpowering flavor
• Minced garlic: Infuses dough and butter topping, fresh garlic cloves deliver the best aroma and punch
• Flour: Is the base, I prefer unbleached all purpose with a fine texture
• Baking powder: Ensures extra airiness, pick a fresh can and sniff for active scent
• Salt: Brings out taste, use fine sea salt for even mixing
• Butter: Is essential for brushed topping, use real dairy butter for flavor and color
• Parsley: Adds a fresh herbal pop, go for flat leaf parsley and chop right before using

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bloom the Yeast:

Combine yeast, sugar and warm water in a mixing bowl. Watch for foam to appear after about ten minutes. This step tells you your yeast is alive and ready. The water should never feel hot as that could kill the yeast.

Combine and Mix Dough:

Add flour, milk, yogurt, garlic, oil, baking powder and salt to the bowl. Use a dough hook or a wooden spoon. Mix for about five minutes until a rough dough comes together. Knead a minute or two in the bowl until smooth.

Knead and Let Rise:

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently for three minutes until the surface is glossy and elastic. Place the dough ball in a clean oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for one hour or until doubled in size. A warm spot like atop the fridge speeds things along.

Shape the Naan:

Once risen, punch the dough down and divide into ten equal portions. Roll each into a ball. Flatten each ball into a teardrop or round shape sized to fit your air fryer basket. A floured rolling pin helps keep the dough from sticking.

Air Fry the Naan:

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place as many dough rounds as will fit without overlapping. Air fry at three seventy degrees for six minutes. Flip each piece and cook another three minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate while you repeat with all the dough.

Make the Garlic Butter Topping:

Melt butter in a small bowl. Stir in the minced garlic and parsley right before using. Brush this mixture liberally over hot naan as soon as it comes out of the air fryer. This keeps the bread ultra soft and soaks it in flavor.

Garlic and fresh herbs brighten the entire kitchen. The butter and garlic topping is what my kids adore most. One taste and they start swiping the hot naan off the plate faster than I can finish the batch. This has turned into a family tradition when we make chicken tikka or dal for dinner and even my pickiest eater gobbles it up.

Storage Tips

Store leftover naan in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to make ahead freeze portions immediately after shaping the dough so you can air fry a few fresh breads anytime. Reheat in the air fryer for two minutes to refresh texture and flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap Greek yogurt for plain regular yogurt if needed. It also works with plant based options like coconut yogurt for a dairy free version. For the topping try subbing in chives or cilantro if you prefer a milder or brighter herb. You can use two percent milk in place of whole.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this naan with any saucy Indian curries like butter chicken, chana masala or dal. Spread with more garlic butter for a flavorful side to soups or use as a base for naan pizzas. My favorite is scooping up creamy tikka masala with a hot slice of naan straight from the air fryer.

Cultural Notes

Naan is an ancient flatbread with roots across South and Central Asia, traditionally baked in a clay tandoor. The air fryer lets anyone mimic this effect at home. Our version captures the classic blistered finish and garlicky aroma but with modern convenience and very little oil.

Once you try this air fryer garlic naan you may never buy prepackaged again. If you ever doubted you could make soft pillowy flatbread from scratch I hope this recipe proves just how easy and rewarding it can be.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. After kneading, cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before shaping and air frying.

→ Which type of flour works best?

All-purpose flour is recommended for a soft, chewy consistency, but bread flour can also be used for extra chewiness.

→ Is it possible to make naan without yogurt?

Greek yogurt contributes to softness, but you can substitute with regular plain yogurt or a plant-based alternative if needed.

→ How do I store leftover naan?

Let the naan cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze for longer storage.

→ What dipping sauces pair well with garlic naan?

Great accompaniments include raita, hummus, spiced chutneys, or classic curry sauces for added flavor.