How to Make Spinach Naan: The Healthy, Colorful Flatbread You Need on Your Plate
PREP TIME
20 minutes
COOK TIME
Resting/Proofing Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
SERVINGS
6 naan breads
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour. In addition, you’ll need some extra for dusting
- 1 cup fresh spinach, blanched and puréed
- ¼ cup plain yogurt. Note that Greek is preferred.
- 2 tbsp olive oil or ghee
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water. This is needed for yeast activation
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. This is an optional ingredient.
- 1 tsp minced garlic. This is an optional ingredient.
For Topping (Optional but recommended):
- 2 tbsp melted butter or ghee
- 1 tsp garlic, finely minced
- Chopped cilantro
- Pinch of sea salt
Equipment Used
Tandoor Oven: CS03 – 24″ x 24″ Round – Portable Tandoor Oven
- Regardless of the purpose, that is you are cooking at home or serving guests, you will need a proper clay tandoor to make the dishes authentic with the flavours every time. In this regard, CSA/ETL-certified CS03 Clay Tandoor is one of the best compact portable tandoors, designed to be compact and work best in backyards, outdoor kitchens, or even food trucks. Why it is perfect in Terms of its capabilities is that you can power it using charcoal or wood. And with every option you choose, it delivers steady, high heat, making it ideal for getting the perfect Cha on the naan. You can also try it with the spinach naan. And with that, you can be assured of the fact that the smoky aroma and that traditional texture will make the dish unforgettable.
Naan Rod Pair: AS03 – Tandoori Naan Rod Pair – Ergonomic Design
- Also, as the naan cooks, it will start to get charred edges. You can just safely get it out without burning yourself or tearing the bread. To do that, you will find 2 simple tools to help you with the process.
- Hook tool – You can use a hook tool that will help in gently loosening the naan from the hot clay, especially when it is puffed.
- Tongs – Tongs will also make it effortless for you to grab the naan and pull it out smoothly. With that, you can be assured it will keep the inside soft and the outside crispy.
Gaddi (Naan Pillow): AS09 – Tandoor Naan Gaddi (Cushion)
A gaddi (also called a naan pillow) is this soft, cushiony cloth that helps you stick the dough onto the hot inside wall of a tandoor oven. If you’ve got a clay tandoor like the CS03, this little tool makes things way easier:
- You don’t have to get your hands anywhere near the heat. Just press the dough on with the gaddi.
- It helps the naan stick properly so it doesn’t slide off halfway through cooking.
- No tearing or stretching—your dough keeps its shape and stays nice and fluffy.
- it’s light and easy to hold, so you can move fast even when the oven’s blazing hot.
It’s one of those simple tools that makes you feel like a pro. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how people make naan without it.
Instructions
Instructions to prepare the spinach naan in a step-by-step approach
Step 1. Prepare the Spinach Purée
- First of all, you will have to Blanch one cup of spinach leaves in the boiling water and leave it for 1 minute until it is wilted. Then you will have to just transfer it to the ice water to retain the colour. Now go forward with draining and blending it into a smooth puree. With that, you can be assured that the naan will be getting a beautiful green colour with plenty of nutrients intact in it, like iron, calcium, and fibre.
Step 2. Activate the Yeast
- Now take a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon of yeast and 1/4 cup of warm water. But be sure that it is not very hot now. Let it sit for around 10 minutes until you notice foam inside it. When the water becomes foamy, you can be assured that there is yeast that is already alive and ready to leave your dough.
Step 3. Make the Dough
- Just grab a big bowl and toss in the flour, salt, spinach, spinach purée, yogurt, olive oil, and the yeast mixture. Now you’ll have to just mix it all until it starts coming together in the form of a dough. Use your hands to knead it for around 8 to 10 minutes. When you’re doing so, keep in mind that it should feel very smooth and stretchy when it is ready. In the case you see that it is becoming sticky and especially sticking to your fingers too much, then you will have to sprinkle in a little flour. But make sure that you are not pouring it a lot. What will do the best is one spoon at a time. If it’s feeling dried out, just go with adding a few drops of water to soften it up when u see that the dough is good. Just cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Keep it somewhere to rest for about an hour. After that, you will see that it will start rising and becoming puffy. And once it double in size, you will know that you can proceed with the next step.
Step 4. Divide and Shape
- Once you see that the dough has risen up now, you can give a gentle punch to it, letting out the air. Now, next, you’ll have to split it into 6 equal pieces, making sure to roll each one into the shape of a ball. Now, lightly flour your counter or cutting board. Make sure to use a perfect rolling pin for flattening each ball into an oval or teardrop shape. Make sure that it is about 1/4th inch thick.
- Here you can follow an optional approach. In the case you want to add a little extra flavor, make sure to sprinkle some minced garlic or chopped cilantro on the top and press it in gently so that it sticks properly. With that, you can be assured that the naan is completely ready to be cooked.
Step 5: Preheat the Tandoor Oven
- Now you will have to just fire up the CS03 Portable Tandoor Oven and let it heat for around 30 minutes. You can power it up using charcoal or wood. That is how you will be getting the classic Smoky flavour. With a tandoor, you can be sure that tandoor naan is perfect. Only when the inside walls turn white-hot, and you can feel the heat coming out of it.
Step 6. Make the Dumplings
- Now, just take one piece of rolled-out dough and place it on the Naan gadda. We have already referred to the gadda as a soft cloth pad now. Gently slap it onto the hot inside of the wall of the tandoor oven. Make sure to cook it for around 1 to 2 minutes. Now watch for the bubbles to form and the edges to become golden brown. When you see that it is nicely puffed up and has a few charred spots, you can just use your tongs or a hook to carefully pull it out. Make sure to repeat the step for the rest of the naan. This is the part that will make the spinach naan really special. The high heat from a tandoor will ensure that it is crispy on the outside, while it is also soft and fluffy on the inside. With that, you can be very specific that you have created something that will be flavorful, like those that are served in an Indian restaurant.
Step 7. Brush and Serve
- As soon as every naan comes out of the oven, you can just brush it with a mixture of melted butter or ghee. In addition, you can add some minced garlic and a pinch of sea Salt or your favourite herbs. With that, you can be sure about the rich and mouth-watering Finish, which will take everything to the next level. Once it is completely prepared, you can serve it right away with the warmth still intact. It is certain that this is a perfect recipe for the curries, lentils, or even as a base for the wraps, fusion-style pizzas, or your go-to dips. The super versatile dish has always proved a crowd-pleaser when it is cooked in a proper way.
Pro tips for preparing the taco successfully
- Make sure to never skip the spinach Puree Because it will give the naan the vibrant green colour while also adding a healthy twist.
- If you wish to get fluffy naan, make sure to add half a teaspoon of the baking powder to the flour.
- Flavor add-ins are also a must/ for the ones that are wanting the distinct taste. Make sure to mix any of the tasty upgrades, including the cumin seed, chili flakes, or the grated cheese.
Do you need any sort of help? If so, you can get technical support from the team.
If you have any kind of questions or you’re ready to place an order, you can freely reach out to us via phone call at +1(727) 251 6924 or also, or you can also email us at info@tandoormorni.com. If you are struggling with the detailed instructions, be sure that you can find the Operation Manual for our CH & CS models to get started with your tandoor oven today.
About Tandoor Morni
Tandoor Morni has been in the tandoor business since 1992, and over the years, it has established itself as a form of premium tandoori clay oven seller. What makes it stand out is its high-quality traditional and commercial tandoors. It has earned a commitment to excellence and offers a wide range of tandoors, including residential, catering, commercial, and copper models. We have the tandoor set built with durable materials and designed for efficient heat distribution. It can ensure you can get the authentic flavours out of it. Also, these ovens come with customizable options like wood fire, gas, or charcoal compatibility, ensuring that they are suitable for various kinds of cooking needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best flour for naan bread?
All-purpose flour works best for soft and chewy naan.
Why is my naan not fluffy?
It might be the dough—try letting it rise longer and make sure it’s not too dry.
Which Indian bread is healthiest?
Whole wheat roti is the healthiest—light, oil-free, and full of fiber
Are tandoori and naan same?
No. Naan isa bread and tandoori is a style of cooking in a tandoor oven.