The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (2024)

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An easy gluten-free flatbread recipe (naan) that only takes 5 ingredients to make. It’s done in 35 minutes and can be eaten as a side with curry, or used as the base for pizza, gyros, or your favorite wrap.

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The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (1)
The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (2)
The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (3)

This gluten free naan bread recipe should probably come with a warning label.

Like…

Carbs will be extremely easy to consume label.

Or, you will eat so much bread label.

This gluten-free naan bread recipe is easy and results in a super tasty, soft, bendable, and versatile flatbread.

All you’ll need is a handful of ingredients (five ingredients, to be exact) and you’re on your way to the most delicious naan bread ever.

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (4)

What baking ingredients do you need?

This is the best bread recipe because you only need five ingredients, and one of them is water.

Here’s what you need:

A good gluten free flour blend, salt, water, cane sugar, and yeast.

That’s it.

Ok, and oil for the pan, but that doesn’t really count, does it?

What kind of flour is best

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (5)

Since there are so few ingredients in this bread, it’s important to use good ones, especially the flour! Not all gluten free flours are created equal. My favorite gluten free flour to use is this homemade blend.

If you want to use a pre-made bend, I like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1, Pamela’s All-purpose, and King Arthur’s Measure for Measure. Mostly, I just advise against gluten-free flours that contain garbanzo beans, or chickpea flour. It has a distinctly “gluten free taste” that is, in a word, nasty (to me ;)).

You can use any gluten-free all-purpose blend that you like, of course! Do not use plain rice flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. Even though they are gluten free, you want to use a flour blend so that the naan is soft and flexible. This requires starch and some sort of gum for the best texture.

Jump over to this recipe for my gluten free flour blend that has a great ratio of grain, starch, and gum. Then come on back. I’ll wait.

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (6)

Gluten free naan doesn’t mean dry

This gluten free naan recipe is actually quite soft and bendable, just like the naan bread I remember eating at a restaurant in my pre-gluten-free life time. It has beautiful chew, especially hot off the pan.

I really like to brush on some oil as soon as I take these off the griddle and wrap them in a damp cloth to keep them warm.
These are best the first day, but can be refrigerated or frozen after cooking and reheated as needed.

What to eat with your gluten free naan bread

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (7)

I like to make these…well…whenever I can justify it.

Here are some ideas for what to eat this gluten free naan bread with, just to get you started:

  • Side with Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Crust for open faced “grilled cheese” (with carmelized onions)
  • Wrap for Greek gyros
  • Falafel wraps with goat cheese
  • Crust for mini pizzas

How to roll out gluten free naan bread

Gluten free bread is notoriously sticky. It’s very much like working with a thick batter rather than regular (wheat-based) dough. While this easy bread is not nearly as batter-like as this delicious gluten free sandwich bread, it is still on the sticky side.

You can do one of two methods:

  1. Use gf flour/starch to roll out the naan.
  2. Use water on your hands to press the naan.

If you choose to use the water method, you’ll re-wet your hands and you’ll have to press the dough right onto the hot griddle. This is not great for beginner bakers.

Ya have to work fast and have no fear of getting burned.

You’ll also want to have an oiled cooking surface, no matter which method you go with.

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (8)

Yield: 8-12

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

An easy gluten-free flatbread recipe (naan) that only takes 5 ingredients to make. It's done in 35 minutes and can be eaten as a side with curry, or used as the base for pizza, gyros, or your favorite wrap.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups gluten free flour blend
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cane sugar or honey
  • 1 packet dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast)

Instructions

  1. In a measuring bowl, add warm water (about 110 degrees F, not too hot) and stir in sugar to dissolve it slightly. Gently stir in the yeast and allow mixture to proof for 5 minutes, getting nice and bubbly.
  2. While the yeast is proofing, combine flour and salt in the bowl of a mixer. I like to use my KitchenAid stand mixer, but you can mix this by hand in a large mixing bowl as well.
  3. Once yeast is done proofing, add it to the flour and mix it until smooth and fully incorporated.
  4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and cover the dough with plastic wrap or a reusable silicone cover.
  5. Allow to rise in a warm spot for 20-25 minutes. If you're in a hurry, you can shorten the time, but this will create a denser flatbread.
  6. Heat a griddle or large pan to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease the pan with a high heat oil like coconut or grapeseed.
  7. To make your naan, lightly flour a flat surface and scoop 1-4 to 1/2 cup worth of dough into the center. Flour the top of the dough ball and your hands and then use your hands to roll it into a ball.
  8. Place the round dough ball back on the floured counter and dust the top again with flour. Use a rolling pin or smooth round glass to roll out the naan until it's 1/2 thick.
  9. Use a flat spatula to help pick up the rolled dough and place it on the hot griddle.
  10. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
  11. Cook the naan on each side for 2-4 minutes, until puffy and opaque.
  12. An alternate method is to roll the dough with wet hands. To do this, wet your hands and take a large golf-ball sized piece of dough. Roll it into a ball and then flatten slightly before putting it on the hot griddle and quickly flattening with your hands.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (9)
The Easiest Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe You Need in Your Life (dairy-free + vegan, too!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to making good gluten free bread? ›

Tips and Techniques to make better Gluten Free Bread
  1. Use psyllium husk powder.
  2. Let the dough rest (not exactly the same as a bulk proof)
  3. Mix or knead thoroughly.
  4. Use less yeast.
  5. Bake in a tin with tall sides.
  6. Bake for longer, often at a lower temperature.
  7. Create steam in the oven.
  8. Use the tangzhong or scalded flour method.

Does naan bread contain gluten? ›

Naan is traditionally made with all-purpose (wheat) flour, which is not gluten-free. But the gluten provides a stretchy element that can be tricky to replicate with gluten-free alternatives.

Is flatbread fattening? ›

Flatbread can be a great choice that is part of a healthy, balanced diet. Homemade flatbread in particular is a great option so that you can control everything that goes into your flatbread, and use whole grains, and low fat options.

Does naan have dairy? ›

Unfortunately, most naan you'll get at Indian restaurants is not vegan, as the dough often contains yogurt (or milk) and it's brushed with melted butter. While there are a handful of store-bought vegan naan options, they are pretty lackluster and taste more like store-bought pita bread.

What is the biggest challenge of making gluten-free bread? ›

One of the main challenges in making gluten-free bread is achieving the same texture and rise as traditional wheat bread.

What flour is best for gluten-free bread? ›

Best for Bread: Judee's All-Purpose Gluten-Free Bread Flour

The blend includes two kinds of binding agents—guar gum and xanthan gum—which mimic the structure and strength of gluten for a lofty, chewy crumb. They also add dried egg whites, which boost the protein in the dough.

Why is naan bread not vegan? ›

Unfortunately, the majority of naan isn't suitable for vegans as they often contain ghee (clarified butter), yoghurt, milk or even eggs. However, it's not impossible to find vegan-friendly naan in supermarkets, it's just worth double-checking ingredients lists.

Why can't celiacs eat bread? ›

The damage to your intestinal tract is caused by your immune system's reaction to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some oats contain gluten. When you have celiac disease, gluten causes your immune system to damage or destroy villi.

What bread is naturally gluten-free? ›

Breads made from rice, sorghum, teff, millet, cassava, buckwheat, amaranth, oat, almonds, and pure corn lack gluten. Hence, their flour can be incorporated into baking gluten-free breads. You can identify whether the bread is gluten-free by checking the ingredients on the product's label.

What is difference between lavash and flatbread? ›

Lavash is a fully baked flatbread that is usually lower in sodium, less doughy and chewy, and generally contains less oil. Lavash's rectangular shape makes it easier to fit in lots of good stuff inside when you're making wraps.

Is lavash and flatbread the same? ›

Lavash is a soft, paper-thin flatbread. Much like pita, this ancient flatbread is a beloved staple of Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine that is easy to make at home with pantry ingredients you likely have on hand. This lavash recipe will teach you how to make lavash any night of the week using a skillet!

Are flatbreads healthier than pizza? ›

Flatbread pizza often has a thinner crust compared to traditional pizza. A thinner crust can result in a lower calorie and carbohydrate content, making it a potential choice for those looking to reduce their calorie intake.

What type of bread is dairy free? ›

Wholemeal and brown bread is generally lactose-free.

Does sourdough bread vegan? ›

Here's a list of types that are commonly vegan: Sourdough. A type of fermented bread made from flour, water, salt, and sometimes commercial baker's yeast. Though uncommon, some varieties use milk instead of water, making them non-vegan.

What bread does not have yeast? ›

Instead of using yeast to make the bread rise, quick breads rely on other leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder to get height. "Quick breads, like banana bread, zucchini bread, and cornbread are delicious and easy alternatives to yeast-based bread and can satisfy cravings in a pinch," says Tyler Lee.

Why is it so challenging to make good gluten free bread? ›

Running into problems. Gluten is protein that elasticizes dough, providing structure and enabling it to trap the carbon dioxide generated by yeast. (This is why many gluten-free formulations don't use yeast.) Eliminating it often leaves dough that is runnier than conventional bread dough.

Why is my homemade gluten free bread so dense? ›

Dense loaf- you may need to use more liquid, gluten free dough is usually wetter than regular wheat flour dough resembling a thick brownie batter. How much liquid is enough in a recipe ultimately depends not on formulas but in observation. You may need more or less liquid than the recipe specifies.

Is there a trick to baking with gluten-free flour? ›

2 teaspoons of baking powder per cup of gluten-free flour is necessary to ensure proper leavening. Baking soda and buttermilk can be used to leaven instead of baking powder, but 1-1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar should be added for each 1/2 teaspoon baking soda used.

Why do you put vinegar in gluten free bread? ›

Apple cider vinegar or another acid lightens up the dough. You can add up to 4 Tbsp of acid for 500 g gluten-free flour. Don't worry, you won't be able to taste it afterwards. To lighten up a yeast dough even more, you can add a packet of baking powder or cream of tartar baking powder to 500 g flour.

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