Naan bread is a very delicious and fluffy flatbread that’s traditionally cooked in a tandoor. It is relatively similar to another type of famous bread, pita, although they’re not the same. If you’ve found yourself with a package of naan bread and don’t know what to do with it, you’ve come to the right article.
There are many wonderful ways to eat naan bread. Traditionally, it’s eaten with Indian dishes such as curries. However, there are more ways to eat this yummy flatbread. Use it as a base for pizza, turn it into tacos, or simply dip it into your favorite hummus.
Hey! How’s it going? My name is Michelle, and I’ve enjoyed baking for the past ten years. I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, too, so I’m always up for trying new things. Naan bread is definitely a food item I enjoy, and my family and I have discovered plenty of ways to eat it.
If you want to know what to eat with naan bread, check out my extensive list below!
8 Things to Eat With Naan Bread
I recently wrote an article on what to eat with focaccia bread. It was such a hit I decided to make some additional posts with other types of bread. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of naan bread and how to eat it.
Here are eight ways to enjoy naan bread!
1. Indian Dishes
The traditional way to eat naan bread is to pair it with Indian dishes.
My favorite Indian dish is none other than chicken tikka masala. I enjoy all of the different flavors this dish has to offer. Paired with the fluffy naan bread, it’s a dinner your family won’t soon forget.
Some other popular Indian dishes to eat with naan bread include matar paneer, butter chicken, aloo matar, palak paneer, chana masala, and dal tadka.
2. Taco Fillings
Naan bread is beautifully fluffy and bendable. That’s why they’re the ideal vessel for certain dishes, such as curries, with lots of sauciness and flavors.
Yet, the maneuverability also makes it the perfect option for tacos, too.
Now, there are lots of ways to use naan bread for tacos.
You can eat it with your favorite typical fillings, such as carne asada, cilantro, onion, and lettuce. However, you can also shake things up a bit. For example, you can toss some ginger chicken topped with cabbage and carrots for a unique twist that plays well with the naan bread.
3. Pizza Toppings
Naan bread is essentially flatbread.
And if you haven’t tried a flatbread pizza by now, you’re honestly missing out.
That’s why I decided to add pizza toppings to my comprehensive list of the best things to eat with naan bread.
Again, you have the opportunity to try out new things here or stick to the staples. We make cheese and pepperoni naan flatbread regularly in this household. Yet, we recently tried an invigorating combo of sweet potato, goat cheese, and arugula and were more than pleased with the result.
4. Sandwich Toppings
Have some extra naan bread hanging around in the refrigerator and want to use it for your lunchbox? Go ahead!
When we have leftover naan bread, we don’t know what to do with it, we use it in place of our typical sandwich bread. (Here are some other top-notch sandwich bread alternatives to consider.)
Our favorite toppings include turkey, ham, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach. Thai peanut veggie sandwiches are also delectable with a naan bread base!
5. Panini Toppings
Naan bread is almost always served warm, although you can consume it cold (which is the case for certain things to eat with naan bread, such as lunch meat and vegetables).
That said, if you prefer a warm sandwich – such as a panini – naan bread can be an excellent choice.
Don’t hesitate to top your naan bread with all of your favorite panini toppings before sticking it into your panini press. Your taste buds will thank you later.
6. Stews
Remember earlier how I said naan bread was great for curry? Well, if you don’t care for curry or it’s simply not on the meal plan, you can use your naan bread with your upcoming stews, too.
Whether you’re making beef stew, gumbo, jambalaya, or any other type of delicious stew, you can dip and scoop it with your naan bread. It works like a charm and will make it easy for you to soak up all the extra yummy liquid easily.
7. Hummus
If you’re looking for a snack that will fill your belly and make your taste buds smile, I recommend this simple snack – hummus and naan bread.
All you need to do is buy or make some homemade hummus. (There are lots of different flavors out there, so make sure to find one you enjoy!)
Then, warm up the naan bread – or don’t.
Finally, scoop your desired hummus with the naan bread and enjoy a sensational snack that everyone will want to steal a bite of!
8. French Toast Toppings
Naan bread… as french toast?
Yeah, I went there.
Did you know you can replace regular bread with naan bread and turn it into french toast? I
You can, and it might be your new favorite go-to recipe. Try new fun flavors, or keep things classic and cool with eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon. Don’t forget to drizzle with syrup and top with powdered sugar!
FAQs
There are so many wonderful things to eat with naan bread, whether you’re soaking up a curry or trying something new and delicious like a naan panini sandwich! Of course, I don’t want you to head out without checking out these frequently asked questions, though. Let’s dive in!
Do you eat naan by itself?
While naan is not technically designed to be eaten alone, it certainly can be! You can eat naan bread entirely by itself. However, many people prefer to at least warm it before eating it. You can toss it with some butter or olive oil and seasonings before warming and eating it, too, for some added flavors.
What is the best dish to eat with garlic naan?
Almost any Indian dish is going to pair well with garlic naan. The extra boost of garlic flavoring works well with many Indian seasonings. Of course, you can use garlic naan for other applications, too. Dip it in hummus or use it as a replacement for garlic bread.
Why is naan bread healthy?
Naan bread isn’t the healthiest bread option out there, but it’s not the worst, either. That said, it can be a part of a healthy, balanced diet. Naan bread has the perk of being loaded with minerals and fibers, so it has some edge over the competition.
There Are Plenty of Ways to Eat Naan Bread!
When it comes to what to eat with naan bread, “everything” is an acceptable answer. Naan bread is lightweight, fluffy, and relatively flavorless, so it can be used like any other type of bread. Serve with Indian cuisine or use it as a base for pizzas and sandwiches.
What do you like to eat with naan bread? Share your favorites with us below!
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