If you’re like most people, you probably love naan bread. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any Indian dish, and it’s so easy to eat. But what do you do if you have leftover naan? Do you have to throw it away? Of course, not! Instead, you can freeze naan bread, and it will stay fresh for months.
You can freeze naan bread like flatbread, tortillas, or pitta bread. It will not lose shape or become hard, so don’t worry about that. Naans will stay fresh and tasty just like fresh ones.
How to freeze the naan bread?
Place the naan bread on a baking tray and pop it into the freezer. Once it’s frozen solid, you can transfer it to a freezer bag or container. It’s essential to label the bag with the date to know how long it will stay fresh.
You can also pop the naans in freezing bags and remove the air from the bags by squeezing them. Label the bag and place in the freezer.
Pro tip: Always label the freezer bags with the date to avoid forgetting the date when you freeze the naans.
If you want to freeze naans for a more extended period, you can wrap them individually to avoid freeze injuries. However, it is not required if you’re sure you will eat them in under one month. They will taste almost as fresh ones.
How long can you freeze naan bread?
Naan bread will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. After that, it will start to lose its flavor and texture. So if you want to keep your naan bread fresh, be sure to eat it within three months of freezing.
Don’t worry if you cannot eat the naans in under three months. They will not lose their taste and texture after the magical three months. But, as with any other frozen food, nanna will start losing the freshness with time. So it is best to consume them as soon as possible after three months for the optimal taste and texture.
How to thaw and reheat frozen naan bread?
There are a few methods you can use to thaw naan bread.
In refrigerator
To thaw frozen naan bread in the refrigerator, place it on a plate and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave or on the pan.
On the counter
If you’re in a hurry, you can place the naan bread on the counter and let it come to room temperature. This will take about an hour, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
Make sure to flip the naans after 10-15 minutes. The process will be over after 40-60 minutes. You can cook your curry in the meantime and let the naans thaw on the counter.
Then you can quickly warm the naans on a pan or in the microwave. If you’re reheating in the oven, brush the naan with some oil before baking. This will help it regain its soft, fluffy texture.
In the microwave
You can also reheat frozen naan bread in the microwave. Place it on a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds. Be sure to flip the naan halfway through so that it heats evenly.
Sometimes naans dry out while thawing in the microwave. To avoid this, dab a little water on the surface.
If you want to thaw a pile of naans together, keep a damp paper towel in between the individual naans. And reheat for a longer time.
You can reheat the naans on a pan or swindle. I sometimes heat them on direct flame. I am an expert at heating directly as I make flatbreads daily and am adept at cooking them on the stove flame to have those fluffy soft Rotis.
Directly in a non-stick pan
If you’re reheating frozen naan bread in a pan, be sure to brush it with oil before cooking. This will help it regain its soft, fluffy texture.
Cook the naans on medium heat for about two minutes per side, or until they’re warm. You can also cook them directly on the grill for a crispy, charred flavor.
How to cook frozen naan bread in the oven?
If you’re reheating frozen naan in the oven, the oven should be hot. Preheat the oven to about 400° F, place the naans on a baking sheet, and insert them in the oven at 400°F. Heat the naans for about two minutes per side or until they’re warm enough.
It is a bit tricky to reheat the naans in the oven as you have to check if they are done. It isn’t easy to check the temperature of naans in the oven. I always avoid this method as this is cumbersome for me.
My favorite method is reheating naans in the pan. It takes a few minutes only, and you don’t need any extras to reheat the naans.
Pro tip: If you feel that the naans are drying out while thawing and reheating, sprinkle a little water on naans or dab them with wet hands. Naans will absorb the moisture and will not dry the pot.
Can you freeze naan dough?
Yes, you can freeze naan dough. Just shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for two hours or until solid. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
When you’re ready to use them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and follow the recipe instructions.
I prefer freezing naans bread rather than the dough because Naans can be frozen quickly compared with naan dough.
However, it takes some time to wrap them individually or freeze them separately and then transfer them to a freezer bag.
In my opinion, making all the naans and then freezing them is a great option.
No matter which method you choose, enjoy your naan bread while it’s still fresh and soft! Thanks for reading, and I hope this blog post was helpful. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.
