Yes, you can reheat naan. Homemade Naan is famous comfort food that is always a highlight of a tasty Indian supper. You can reheat naan in various ways to keep it soft and crunchy without drying out. It’s easy to prepare this soft and tender, savory and buttery, well-browned naan bread. Naan is a yeast-leavened flatbread baked in the oven, and it is indigenous to Iran and Central Asia. It’s a famous bread in India, where a bit thicker variant is common. You can have naan leavened or unleavened. Leavened variants are more common in Indian cuisine.
Naan is commonly used to make an Indian-style pizza crust that you can top with various sauces and toppings. Torn pieces of naan are helpful for scooping and eating food by hand. Naan is traditionally prepared in an Indian tandoor oven, although not everyone has one. So, instead of using a tandoor oven, you can use a hefty cast iron pan to get a similar outcome.
How can you make Naan Bread?
Here is how you can make naan bread
- To proof yeast, whisk together water, yeast, and 14 teaspoons of sugar in an electric stand mixer bowl. Allow sitting for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the wet ingredients first, then the flour: Mix in the milk, yogurt, olive oil, egg yolk, remaining one tablespoon of sugar, and salt with the paddle attachment. Mix in 2/3 of the flour.
- Knead in any leftover flour: Toss in the remaining 1/3 of the flour with the hook attachment.
- Allow 2 minutes to knead on low speed until the dough pulls away from the sides and is somewhat sticky (adding a couple more tablespoons of flour as needed).
- Allow to rest until doubled in volume:
- Shift to a large, lightly oiled mixing bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Set aside for 1,5–2 hours.
- Divide the dough into parts after deflating it: Punch the dough down gently, then divide it into six equal sections. Round out the edges and wrap in greased plastic wrap.
- Heat the skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet (you can use a non-stick skillet that works too, just not quite as well).
- Roll dough into a 9-inch oval or teardrop form on a lightly floured board, operating with only one piece of the dough at a time (roll to about 1/6-inch thickness).
- Using your fingertips, dab water across the top of the flattened-out dough or softly sprinkle with water from a spray bottle.
- Cook until each side has golden brown spots: Cook naan, wet side down, for 30 seconds or until golden brown spots pop up at the bottom. Cook until golden brown specks emerge on the opposite side, about 30 seconds.
- Repeat the procedure: Continue with the remaining naan. If the food is browning too soon, lower the burner temperature.
- Butter to finish: Brush heated naan with melted butter and serve.
Can you reheat naan bread?
Yes, absolutely! There are several methods used to reheat naan bread. Here’s how to reheat naan bread in the microwave, oven, cooktop, and air fryer in four easy steps.
Microwave
- On a microwave-safe plate, place one naan bread.
- Place a piece of parchment paper on top and sprinkle it with water.
- Repeat the same with the second naan bread.
- Cook for one minute over medium-high heat, then add 30 seconds at a time as needed.
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place naan bread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with water and reheat in the oven for 3-5 minutes.
Stovetop
- Preheat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle in just enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Place one naan in the pan at a time, cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
- To reheat, add time as needed.
Air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Use olive oil to grease the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes in the air fryer basket with naan bread.
Can you eat naan bread cold?
Yes, and it is pretty safe. Warming up naan is advised for two reasons: flavor and texture. They become increasingly stiff, dry, and crumbly as they cool. They become mushy and more enjoyable to eat when warmed up. So start nibbling if you’re merely hungry.
Concerning food safety concerns: Warming up will not make dangerous food safe. Bread is a food that does not spoil quickly, and you may safely store it at room temperature. Also, pre-packaged loaves are often sealed to extend shelf life and include preservatives.
Naan bread tastes better when it’s warm or at room temperature. As a result, you can serve naan bread without heating it. While it is safe to consume it at room temperature, it is best to avoid eating it straight from the refrigerator or freezer. Naan will be stiff, dry, and crumbly otherwise.
How Can you Properly Store Naan Bread?
To ensure that naan lasts longer while maintaining its natural texture and flavor, learn how to preserve it properly. The two best ways for storing naan bread are listed here.
- Keep your fresh naan bread in an airtight container or plastic bag. You can keep your naan at room temperature if you do not expose it to air. This technique of storing will keep the naan fresh for three days.
- Naan will keep for up to two months in the freezer. Seal the naan in a plastic bag to keep it fresh. Please permit the bread to thaw overnight in the plastic bag at room temperature to defrost. Lightly coat the bread in oil or butter.
How can I tell if naan bread is bad?
It isn’t delicious if the naan bread is dry and stiff. If it looks and smells moldy, it’s also a negative sign. There’s no need to throw away the remainder of the naan bread if only one or two are moldy in the box. However, some are moldy, which indicates that the entire batch has been hanging around for quite some time.
Naan is inexpensive and readily accessible in most supermarkets. It’s also simple to make from scratch. If you suspect it’s already impaired, don’t take a chance; throw out the naan and purchase a new pack.
Verdict
Thankfully, warming naan bread isn’t difficult, and there are several methods for ensuring that the naan bread retains its crisp and soft texture and its delicious flavor and wetness. It’s incredibly convenient to keep some frozen naan in the freezer or some in an airtight container in the pantry.
It’s a versatile bread that you can use to finish almost any type of dinner, providing a genuine Indian flavor to even the most basic dishes. The key to keeping the naan as good as possible is to know how to reheat it properly.