Is Naan Vegan? Here Are Your Best Options
Missing the texture and flavor of naan bread since you went vegan? Or, maybe you're thinking of taking a vegan friend or partner out for Indian food? In either case, you'll want to know if this flavorful flatbread is suitable for the vegan diet. Keep reading for all the info you need to enjoy naan without involving the animals!
What Is Naan?
Naan is a type of Indian leavened flatbread baked against the side of a tandoor oven. It boasts a buttery flavor and a soft, pillowy texture, and is usually paired with Indian curries and gravies.
It's just one of the many flatbreads found in Indian cuisine, like chapati, paratha, poori, roti, and others. However, it's also one of the most popular varieties, and can be found at almost all authentic Indian restaurants!
Is Naan Bread Vegan?
This particular flatbread is traditionally made with yogurt, butter, milk, and/or eggs, and is also often coated in ghee. These animal-based ingredients give naan its characteristic soft, chewy texture and bold flavor.
Because of the authenticity of dishes prepared at most Indian restaurants, it may be easier to find a vegan version of this flatbread at your local supermarket. However, vegan naan can sometimes taste more like pita bread due to its lack of rich, high-protein dairy products.
A Closer Look At The Ingredients in Naan
Wondering how exactly naan is made, and if it can be 'veganized'? Naan is traditionally made with strong wheat flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, yogurt, and eggs. Some are also flavored with garlic and herbs, and coated in ghee (clarified butter).
However, popular vegan recipes use dairy-free soy yogurt or other high-protein vegan yogurts, and skip the eggs. They'll sometimes even call for soy milk instead of water to add richness and protein. You can also brush on a bit of melted vegan butter for flavor and authenticity!
Meanwhile, store-bought vegan naan omits both the dairy and eggs entirely. Instead, they up the protein with some wheat gluten and other additives, which improve the texture. So, you can totally enjoy vegan naan made at home or from the store!
Can I Order Vegan Naan At Restaurants?
As mentioned earlier, it's not easy to find vegan naan bread at Indian restaurants. You can ask the waiter if it's made with any animal products, or if it's possible to leave the eggs and dairy out of your naan.
If it's impossible to get your hands on some vegan naan at your restaurant of choice, you may be better off going with roti, puri, paratha, chapati, or basmati rice as your side. After all, naan is delicious, but it's certainly not the only yummy base to soak up the rich flavor of your veggie curry!
Can I Buy Vegan Naan?
Luckily, if you're not into preparing homemade bread, there are a few vegan naan brands you can locate at vegan grocery stores.
These naan alternatives are far from authentic, however the taste and texture is similar, and pairs well with vegan curry! In fact, there's even a gluten-free option you can try. Check them out below!
