If you’ve ever ordered naan from an Indian restaurant, you know that it’s a delicious flatbread that goes perfectly with curry. But what do you do if you have leftovers? How can you reheat naan so that it stays soft and fluffy? In this blog post, I will discuss the best way to reheat naan so that it tastes just as good as when it was first served!
Can you reheat naan?
Yes, you can reheat naan! Of course, the best way to reheat naan is in a skillet on the stovetop. However, you can also reheat it in the microwave, making the naan less soft and fluffy.
Best way to reheat the naan bread?
Naan is a flatbread that is popular in Indian cuisine. It is made with flour, water, yeast, and milk and traditionally cooked in a tandoor (a clay oven). Naan can be plain or flavored with garlic, onion, cheese, or other spices.
I prefer to use both microwave and stove to reheat naan. Even if the naans are frozen, microwaving it first and then heating it on the stove makes it crispy.
How to microwave naan?
The best way to reheat naan in the microwave is to wrap it in a damp paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Or you can sprinkle the naan with some water. It will help keep the naan soft and prevent it from drying. Microwave the naan for 10-20 seconds, or until it is heated.
Heating for more time can make the naan rubbery and dry out.
After heating the naan, use the skillet, pan, or a Tawa to reheat the naan and bring back the glory of this bread.
How to reheat naan in a pan or skillet?
- Place the naan on a dry skillet or pan over medium heat.
- Melt some butter in a pan.
- Cook for 30 seconds to one minute, or until the naan is warm and slightly crispy.
- You can also brush the naan with ghee (clarified butter) or oil before reheating to help keep it soft.
- Remove from heat and enjoy with the curry of your choice.
- Pro tip: Adding ghee or butter gives the flavors to naan, and it feels fresh. The pan should be piping hot when you keep naan on a pan, or the naan will dry out.
How to reheat naan in an oven?
The oven is not a preferable method to reheat naans. I have tried it and found that it doesn’t heat the naan like the stovetop. If you keep the naan for a bit longer, it becomes dry and hard. Here is how to reheat the naan in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sprinkle a little water and wrap the naans in an aluminum sheet. If you have too many naans, make 2-3 nans batches.
- Place the naan on a baking sheet.
- Bake for five to ten minutes or until warmed.
Pro tip: If the naans are not heated enough, you can heat the naans on flame. I always do this with frozen naans. Heating them on stove flame gives that charred flavor to the bubbles. Heat it, frequently flipping, holding with pincers. With experience, you can use your hands to hold naans.
How to reheat naan on the stove?
There are two ways to reheat naan on the stove.
- Directly on flame
2. In a pan or Tawa
Tawa or griddle is a flat surface pan used to cook Indian flatbreads. You can even make naans on Tava with little changes.
How to heat on direct flame?
- Switch on the burner of the stove.
- Place the naan on flame, flipping it frequently every 10-15 seconds.
- Please don’t keep the naan on the heat for a longer time, or it will burn. We only need to give some color to bubbles of naan.
After heating, put some butter or ghee and serve immediately. It is also a fast method. The only drawback is that you should be able to do it fast and be a bit expert in handling Chapattis and naans on flame.
I make chapatti or roti daily, so it is not something extra for me. I can do this quickly and without burning my hands.
How to heat naan in a pan or Tawa?
- Heat a pan or Tawaa on the gas stove.
- Sprinkle some water on naans. Water helps a lot. Even while making naans, you have to smear some water on naans. Water will keep it moist and save it from drying.
- You have to heat them one by one. Then, after that, heavenly as much is required.
- Heat the nans for 20-25 seconds on one side, then flip and heat the other.
- After heating, brush the naan with some ghee. Or melted butter.
The addition of ghee gives naan flavor and freshness.
How to reheat naan in an air fryer?
I have not tried reheating naan in the air fryer, but many people have. If you have an air fryer, you can reheat the naan in it.
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the naan in the basket of the air fryer and cook for two minutes, or until heated. It is also a fast method and makes the naan crispy.
How long does it take to reheat naan?
It only takes a few minutes to reheat naan on the stovetop. Simply place the naan in a dry skillet over medium heat.
Cook for about 30 seconds to one minute, or until the naan is warm enough.
How do you make naan?
Naan is made by mixing flour, water, yeast, and milk to form a dough. The dough is then kneaded and left to rise for 30 minutes. Once it has risen, the dough is flattened and cooked in a tandoor (a clay oven) at high heat.
Different types of herbs or spices to flavor the naans:
- Cilantro
- Garlic
- Green chili
- Dried fenugreek leaves
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Kalonji or nigella seeds
Herbs and spices can be added while kneading the dough or after the dough is made.
How to store naan bread to keep it fresh?
The best way to store naan bread is to wrap it in a clean, dry towel and place it in a resealable bag. Then, keep the pack in the fridge for up to three days.
Can you freeze naan?
Yes, you can freeze naan! Just place the naan in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the naan on the stovetop or microwave.
Different types of naans or flatbread
Naan is a leavened bread made from white flour. Nowadays people have started making it with whole wheat flour. There are a few varieties of naans.
Tandoori naan: This is the most popular type of naan. It is made in a clay oven or tandoor.
Garlic naan: As the name suggests, this naan has a garlic flavor.
Cheese naan: This is a trendy variation of naan. Cheese and herbs are added to the dough or sprinkled on top of the naan.
Peshawari naan: This is a very rich and heavy naan. It has nuts and raisins in it.
Plain naan: This is the most basic form of naan.
Kashmiri naan: This naan is very similar to Peshawari naan.
Amritsari naan: This naan is very popular in Amritsar. It is slightly different from the other naans as it has stuffing.
Chapatti or roti: Roti is made from dough with water and whole wheat flour. In northern India, maize flour is used to make roti in winter. Chapatti is a daily food in north India. Generally, in Indian households, naans are not made as they are time-consuming. Roti is a daily food to accompany either gravied or dry curries.
Paratha: Paratha is also made from the same dough as roti but has layers that make it a bit more crispy. There is aloo ( potatoes stuffed) parantha, cauliflower parantha, spinach parantha, or you can stuff anything you like in paratha.
Puri: Puris are made by deep-frying small flat reads.
There are many variations of flatbread. Out of which chapati is the simplest and easiest.
We hope you found this blog post helpful! Now you know how to reheat naan, so it’s soft and delicious. Be sure to try this method the next time you have leftovers!
