Cheese Naan (Soft, Cheesy & Better Than Restaurant-Style)

✨ Introduction

Few breads can steal the spotlight the way Cheese Naan does 🫓🧀. Warm, pillowy, slightly crisp on the outside, and filled with stretchy melted cheese, it’s the kind of side dish that people secretly hope becomes the main event.

In the U.S., cheese naan has become a favorite companion to Indian-inspired dishes like butter chicken, tikka masala, and creamy curries—but it’s also delicious on its own. That first pull-apart bite, with steam escaping and cheese stretching, is pure comfort food satisfaction.

What makes homemade cheese naan so special is texture. When done right, it’s soft and fluffy inside, lightly blistered outside, and rich without being heavy. This recipe is designed to give you restaurant-quality cheese naan at home, without a tandoor and without complicated steps.

Whether you’re serving curry night, building a comfort-food spread, or just craving warm bread with melted cheese, this cheese naan delivers every single time.

Homemade cheese naan freshly cooked
Easy homemade cheese naan cooked in a skillet

💛 Why You’ll Love This Cheese Naan

  • 🧀 Ultra-melty cheese filling
  • 🫓 Soft, fluffy naan texture
  • ⏱️ No oven required (stovetop-friendly)
  • 🏠 Better than takeout
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Crowd-pleasing side dish

Once you make it at home, ordering naan again feels unnecessary.


🕒 When to Make Cheese Naan

Cheese naan is perfect for:

  • Curry nights
  • Indian-inspired dinners
  • Comfort food cravings
  • Dinner parties
  • Freezer-friendly meal prep

It pairs beautifully with both rich sauces and lighter dishes.


🔗 Explore More Comfort & Global Recipes

If you love comforting bread recipes like this, explore our Global Flavors Made Simple, browse Quick & Easy Meals for effortless sides, or check out Trending Recipes for crowd-pleasing favorites.


🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple pantry ingredients create incredible results.

Dough

  • All-purpose flour
  • Active dry yeast
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Plain yogurt
  • Warm water
  • Olive oil or melted butter

Cheese filling

  • Mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, shredded)
  • Optional: mild cheddar or mozzarella blend

For finishing

  • Butter or ghee
  • Garlic (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make Cheese Naan

(Exact quantities live in the Tasty Recipes card)

Step 1: Activate the yeast

Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let foam.

Step 2: Make the dough

Combine flour, salt, yogurt, oil, and yeast mixture. Knead until soft and elastic.

Step 3: Rest the dough

Cover and let rise until doubled.

Step 4: Fill with cheese

Divide dough, flatten, add cheese, seal, and gently roll.

Step 5: Cook the naan

Cook on a hot skillet until bubbly and golden on both sides.

Step 6: Finish

Brush with butter and optional garlic.

Print
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Easy homemade cheese naan cooked in a skillet

Cheese Naan

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Soft, fluffy cheese naan filled with melted mozzarella and cooked on the stovetop. Better than restaurant-style and easy to make at home.

  • Total Time: 35
  • Yield: 6 Naan

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast.
  2. Make and knead dough.
  3. Let rise.
  4. Fill with cheese.
  5. Cook on skillet.
  6. Brush with butter.

Notes

  • Cheese: Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent leaks.
  • Cooking: Medium-high heat works best.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat on skillet for best texture.
  • Author: Maria Esposito
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Bread / Side
  • Method: Stovelop
  • Diet: Vegetarian

💡 Tips for Perfect Cheese Naan

  • Use low-moisture mozzarella to avoid leaks
  • Seal dough edges well
  • Cook on medium-high heat
  • Do not overfill

💡 Did you know?

Traditional naan is baked in a tandoor, but a hot skillet mimics that intense heat surprisingly well.


🔄 Variations & Substitutions

  • 🌶️ Chili cheese naan
  • 🧄 Garlic cheese naan
  • 🌱 Vegan cheese alternative
  • 🧀 Paneer-stuffed naan
  • 🌾 Whole wheat blend (50/50)

🍽️ How to Serve Cheese Naan

Serve hot with curries, soups, or dips. Also delicious dipped in marinara or eaten on its own.

Cheese naan served hot on a plate
Finished cheese naan with melted cheese inside

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store cooled naan up to 2 days refrigerated. Freeze up to 2 months. Reheat on skillet for best texture.


📣 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

This Cheese Naan is soft, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting. Once you see that first cheese pull, you’ll know it was worth it.

💬 Mozzarella only or mixed cheeses?
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📷 Tag #YankeeYums

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