Naan Bread in the Air Fryer
Naan bread from a packet can come out of the microwave tough and rubbery, and in the oven you need to heat the whole shelf for a couple of minutes of warming. Naan bread in air fryer baskets takes 2–4 minutes at 180 °C, giving a soft, pillowy middle and lightly blistered edges, just like the ones from a tandoor. It works fresh, from the freezer and with a garlic butter finish.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 6min
- Prep
- 3min
- Servings
- 2
- Per serving
- 360kcal
Why the air fryer works for naan
Heating naan bread in air fryer baskets suits a bread that is thin and soft. The hot air heats it quickly through, puffs the surface and gives a few light blisters, while the middle stays pillowy. A microwave steams it into something chewy, and a grill dries one side before the other has warmed.
Cooking naan this way also frees up the oven, which is helpful when the curry and rice are taking the hob. Most baskets fit one large naan or two small ones, so for a family you may need three or four rounds. They stay warm wrapped in foil or a tea towel. The recipe here is for shop-bought naan, as home-made dough needs rolling, shaping and a longer cook than most baskets suit.
How to heat naan bread in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Make the garlic butter Stir the crushed garlic and salt into the melted butter and set it aside. Leave out the garlic if you prefer plain naan.
- Prepare the naan If the naan are fresh, they can go straight in. If frozen, they can go in as they are, but you will need more. Brush the top of each naan lightly with the garlic butter.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Naan is thin, so a hot basket gives it a few blisters straight away.
- Cook Place one naan in the basket, or two if they fit flat without overlapping. Cook for , turning once if the edges are browning unevenly. Frozen naan takes . They are ready when puffy, warm and lightly golden.
- Finish Brush with the remaining garlic butter, sprinkle over the coriander and serve straight away, torn into pieces for scooping up curry.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Naan Bread | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh naanBrush with butter first | 180 °C | 2–3 min |
| Frozen naanNo need to defrost | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
| Reheating leftover naanUntil steaming hot | 160 °C | 2 min |
| Naan pizzaCheese on top | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Mini naanWatch closely | 180 °C | 2 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Brush with butter before and after. The first coat helps the surface crisp, and the second after cooking gives flavour and softness.
- Cook in rounds. A single naan cooks evenly, and a second round only takes 3 minutes. Pile cooked ones in foil to keep them warm.
- Check the packet. Some naan are thicker or have fillings, such as garlic and coriander, and need an extra minute.
Serving
Serve the naan with a curry, such as chicken thighs or chickpeas, and a bowl of rice and raita. Use it to scoop falafel and hummus, or tear it up for dipping into soup. It also works as a fast pizza base, and warm naan bread in air fryer baskets suits a cheese-topped snack.
Storing and reheating
Cooked naan is best the same day, but leftovers keep for 2 days in a sealed bag in the fridge. To reheat, put them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 2 minutes, until warm and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Uncooked naan can be frozen for up to 3 months, so you can cook straight from frozen.
Variations
- Naan pizza: Spread 2 tbsp passata over a naan, add 50 g grated mozzarella and your toppings, then cook at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling.
- Cheese naan: Sprinkle 30 g grated cheddar on the naan in the last minute of cooking, until melted.
- Pitta bread: Brush with oil, sprinkle with a few drops of water and heat at 180 °C for 1–2 minutes, or cut it into triangles and cook for 3–4 minutes for pitta chips.
Troubleshooting
- The naan is dry and crisp like a cracker
- It has cooked too long. Naan is thin and heats in minutes, so check at 2 minutes and take it out when it is warm and soft with a few light brown marks.
- The naan blows around the basket
- It is light and the fan can lift the edges. Use a small metal rack on top, or cook one at a time, or fold the naan in half.
- The naan is too big for the basket
- Cut it in half or fold it over. A 20 cm naan fits most 5 litre baskets when folded once.
Frequently asked questions
How long does naan bread take in an air fryer?
Fresh shop-bought naan needs 2–3 minutes at 180 °C. Frozen naan takes 3–4 minutes. Always check once, because it varies by thickness.
Can you reheat naan bread in an air fryer?
Yes. Heat leftover naan at 160 °C for 2 minutes, until warm and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). It will be softer and fresher than in a microwave.
Can you make naan pizza in an air fryer?
Yes. Spread tomato sauce on a naan, add mozzarella and your toppings and cook at 180 °C for 4–5 minutes, until the cheese bubbles.
Can you cook pitta bread in an air fryer?
Yes. Pitta bread warms in 1–2 minutes at 180 °C, but it dries quickly, so sprinkle with a few drops of water first.
Rate this recipe
No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this recipe.
