Cheese Garlic Naan Bread

If there is one better thing than soft and fluffy plain naan it is our Cheese Garlic Naan Bread, featuring that same soft and pillowy texture plus irresistible melting cheese in the centre and deliciously savoury garlic butter on the surface.

This homemade naan recipe stands head and shoulders above any store-bought naan, we promise you that much! Made with a few simple ingredients, Cheesy Garlic Naan will allow you to have a true Indian restaurant experience in the comfort of your home! 

Jump to:

• Cheese Garlic Naan: Pure Indulgence In A Flatbraead
• Ingredients & Substitutes
• Step-By-Step Method
• What To Serve Cheese and Garlic Naan With?
• Storage & Reheating
• Tips For Best Results
• More Flatbread Recipes
• Cheese Garlic Naan Bread

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Cheese Garlic Naan: Pure Indulgence In A Flatbraead

Naan is a type of Indian bread, typically flash-cooked in a tandoori oven, and features a soft texture that comes from the use of yogurt or sour cream in the dough and dark blisters on the surface.

Whilst not many people have a tandoori oven, you can successfully make homemade naans in a hot skillet. 

Our Cheesy Garlic Naan Bread recipe takes this delicious flatbread to the next level by introducing a gooey cheese filling and delicious garlicky butter!

If you need more indulgence in your life- you won't be disappointed...

Let's jump in!

Ingredients & Substitutes

You'll be surprised at how a few basic ingredients can create so irresistibly delicious. You will need:

• 310 g strong bread flour: with a gluten-content of at least 12.5%. 
• 7 g fast-action yeast: we use active dry yeast, but if you need to, remember to activate the yeast in warm water first. 
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: not to be confused with baking soda. 
• 2 teaspoon caster sugar: may be replaced with white granulated sugar. 
• 1 tsp salt. 
• 110 g Greek yogurt: or plain natural yogurt. You may need to add a little more flour if your yogurt is very thin. 
• 120 ml water: use luke warm water to speed up the proofing process. 
• 60 g butter: half for the dough and half for garlic butter. 
• 200 g Cheddar: may be replaced with other melty cheese, see details below. 
• 3 garlic cloves: minced. 
• fresh herbs, like parsley or coriander, to garnish. 

What Cheese To Use In Garlic Cheese Naan?

The type of cheese you use can greatly influence the flavour and texture of the naan. We recommend using a type of cheese that melts easily. Here are the three types we tested and loved:

1. Mozzarella: This is a commonly used cheese for garlic cheese naan. It has a mild flavour and melts well, creating a gooey texture that complements the garlic and naan dough.
2. Cheddar: Cheddar cheese adds a sharp and distinct flavour to the naan. It melts nicely and pairs well with the garlic, giving the naan a rich and savoury taste.
3. Gouda: Gouda cheese has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour that can enhance the taste of garlic cheese naan. It melts well and creates a creamy consistency.

Step-By-Step Method

Step 1: Make Naan Dough & Proof

• In a bowl of your stand mixer, combine the dry ingredients: strong flour, yeast, baking powder, salt and sugar.
• Add the luke warm water, yogurt and melted butter. Run your stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook attachment on medium speed for 10-15 minutes, until you have a soft and elastic dough. It will be sticky, but should loosely wrap around the dough hook.
• Grease a bowl with some butter or oil and place your naan dough into it. Cover with cling film and leave in a warm spot to prove until doubled in size (1.5-2 hours).

Step 2: Fill & Shape

• When doubled, divide the dough into 6 equal balls. If your dough is extremely sticky, place the balls of dough in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up slightly.
• One by one flatten each ball of dough into a small circle on a floured surface. Add ⅙ of the grated cheese into the centre and pinch the corners together in to form a ball with cheese filling (see photos and video).
• Using a rolling pin, gently roll out each ball into circles (or into a teardrop shape) of about 1 cm thickness. Keep the rest of the balls under a clean cloth to prevent skin from forming.

Step 3: Cook & Brush With Butter

• Heat a large non-stick frying pan or a cast iron skillet on high heat.
• Place a cheese naan into a hot pan. Fry for about 1-2 minutes. It will puff up quite a bit. Then flip it over and fry for another 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer the naans onto a lined baking tray and keep them warm in the oven preheated to the lowest setting.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and minced garlic to the melted butter and stir on low heat for 1-2 minutes.
• Brush the cooked naans with a melted garlic butter mixture. Scatter some fresh herbs on top and serve warm!

What To Serve Cheese and Garlic Naan With?

There is no doubt that this Cheese Garlic Naan Bread is simply perfect served with pretty much any Indian Curry. Since this garlic bread is really quite rich and indulgent, we prefer it with tomato-based curries, rather than creamy Chicken Pasada, Butter Chicken or Basa Fish Korma Curry. 

Try it with Chicken Rogan Josh, Chickpea and Aubergine Curry or Chicken Bhuna. It makes a great side dish to our Mushroom Dahl and Butternut Squash Dahl too. 

But if you don't eat curry every day of the week, don't worry. It pairs very well with various Western-style soups and stews. Serve naan with Carrot & Leek Soup or Roasted Butternut Squash and Pepper Soup. 

Storage & Reheating

Let cooked naan cool down to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

You may also freeze these cheese naans before glazing them with garlic butter for up to 2 months. 

To reheat, arrange the naan breads on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 3-4 minutes at 180°C. 

Alternatively, warm them in a microwave for 20-30 seconds. 

Tips For Best Results

Here are some tips that will help you achieve amazing results the first time you make them. 

• Naan dough is a high percentage moisture dough so be prepared for it being a little sticky. Do not be tempted to add more flour, but chill the proofed dough for 20 minutes instead, if need be. 
• Make sure you preheat the pan well before placing the naan in it. High heat is paramount for amazing naan bread, creating those signature blisters on the surface. 
• Encase the cheese into the dough well, you do not want it to ooze out of your cheese naans in the pan (it's the best part!). 
• Add 1 tablespoon of nigella seeds into the dough for a fun twist. 
• Keep the naans stacked on top of each other in the oven preheated to the lowest setting to keep them warm whilst you are cooking them all. 

Sourdough baker? Love the combination of cheese and garlic? Try our Sourdough Pull Apart Garlic Bread next! You won't be disappointed!

More Flatbread Recipes

Loving flatbreads? Us too. Next time, try our plain naan (or sourdough naan) or go a step further and make deliciously sweet Peshwari Naan. Alternatively, try our sourdough pita bread or 4-ingredient roti!