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

Is naan high in 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.

Can vegans eat flatbread? ›

Moreover, flatbreads, savory, or dry types of bread are more likely to be vegan, whereas fluffier brioche-types often contain dairy, eggs, or both, making them non-vegan.

Is flatbread healthy? ›

Both flatbread and wheat bread offer ample amounts of B-complex vitamins -- a family that includes folic acid and niacin. These nutrients support your metabolism, nourish your skin and maintain healthy blood circulation.

Which Indian breads are gluten-free? ›

If you are following a gluten-free diet, you will love the gluten-free South Indian rotis like akki roti (roti with rice flour), ragi roti (roti with finger millet flour) and bajra roti (roti with pearl millet flour). This roti is prepared with the corresponding gluten-free flours mixed with onion and assorted spices.

Why is naan unhealthy? ›

Skip: Naan

And like those fluffy spuds, this soft flatbread has little nutritional value. Most naan recipes call for Greek yogurt to give it that airy texture. But that's more than offset by less healthy ingredients like white flour, sugar, and oil.

What is the healthiest vegan bread? ›

Multigrain breads, whole grain breads, and breads that use sprouted grains, such as ezekiel bread are packed with health benefits and are great for a plant-based diet. Breads made from refined flours do not contain the fiber and protein that whole grain, multigrain, or sprouted grain breads offer.

Can vegans eat peanut butter? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

Why is garlic bread not vegan? ›

Generally speaking, the actual dough used in garlic bread is vegan. What could catch you out is the butter contents. Fortunately though, a lot of shop-bought garlic bread uses margarine or olive oil – so just make sure to check the ingredients first!

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.

Which is healthier, Subway bread or flatbread? ›

Is Flatbread healthier at Subway? The Flatbread option at Subway is lower in calories and carbohydrates, but it also has about half the amount of protein. You're getting fewer carbs because there's less bread.

Which is healthier pita or flatbread? ›

Side-by-side, bread contains a little more fiber and slightly fewer carbs than a pita, making it a somewhat more nutritious option. Pitas are lower in sodium than bread, so that it may be the best option for those eating a low-salt diet.

Do oats have gluten? ›

Yes, pure, uncontaminated oats are gluten-free. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration considers oats a gluten-free grain under its gluten-free labeling regulations and only requires that packaged products with oats as an ingredient contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten overall.

Does rice have gluten? ›

Rice is naturally gluten-free, so it's a good choice of grain for anyone who wants to avoid gluten due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or other reasons.

What breads are low in gluten? ›

Most of these alternatives are entirely gluten-free, and many are also low-carb.
  1. Rye bread. Share on Pinterest Rye bread is rich in fiber. ...
  2. Sourdough bread. ...
  3. Corn tortillas. ...
  4. Gluten-free bread. ...
  5. Gluten-free multiseed bread. ...
  6. Sprouted bread. ...
  7. Lettuce and leafy greens. ...
  8. Sweet potatoes.

Which breads have the most gluten? ›

Flours that contain gluten include white and whole grain wheat, barley, rye, malt, triticale, spelt, etc. The list of ingredients, making up the bread, determines whether it contains gluten. Bread made from wheat has the highest gluten amount.

Is naan better for you than bread? ›

While it may contain more carbs and sugars, it earns its reputation as a healthy alternative with its relatively generous amounts of protein and fiber. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

What is the highest gluten containing food? ›

Processed foods that often contain gluten
  • Beer, ale, porter, stout (usually contain barley)
  • Breads.
  • Bulgur wheat.
  • Cakes and pies.
  • Candies.
  • Cereals.
  • Communion wafers.
  • Cookies and crackers.

References

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