Roti vs Naan: The 5 Key Differences (And Why I Love Both!) (2024)

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By Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Jan 17, 2024, Updated Feb 06, 2024

Roti vs naan. I’ve been obsessed with both flatbreads for the 20 years I’ve been with my Indian husband. Here are the differences, from ingredients to nutritional value.

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What’s the difference between naan and roti?

The short answer is that naan is made with all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy, and is cooked in a tandoor, resulting in a soft, chewy texture.

Roti, on the other hand, roti is made with whole wheat flour and water, cooked on a flat skillet, leading to a lighter, pliable texture.

But there’s much more to it than that.

Read on to find out!

Roti Vs. Naan: The Key Differences

Roti and naan are super popular flatbreads, and I’ve been perfecting my technique for my both since I met my Indian husband as a teen.

Each is delicious, and each has it’s own place on the Indian bread scene.

Let’s explore the major differences between roti and naan.

Roti vs Naan: Ingredients and Preparation

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Roti:

  • Roti is traditionally made from whole wheat flour, known as atta, and water. Sometimes a bit of salt is added. I always add salt to my super soft roti recipe, I find it really makes the flavor shine.
  • The dough is kneaded until smooth, rested, and then rolled into thin circles before being cooked.
  • Roti is typically cooked on a tawa, a type of Indian flat skillet, and doesn’t require an oven.
  • It’s often finished over a direct flame, which encourages it to puff up dramatically.
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Naan:

  • Naan is typically made from all-purpose flour, and its dough includes yeast and dairy products like yogurt, milk, and sometimes eggs, which contribute to its distinct texture and taste.
  • The dough is kneaded, left to rise, and then rolled into an oval or teardrop shape.
  • Naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay or metal oven, which gives it a unique charred flavor. You’ll love my viral butter naan recipe that mimics all the characteristics of a tandoor-cooked naan, but is made on the stove!

Roti vs Naan: Texture and Flavor

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Roti:

  • It’s usually soft, pliable, and light. The whole wheat flour gives it a hearty, nutty flavor.
  • Roti can be used as a wrap or torn into pieces to scoop up other dishes.
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Naan:

  • Naan is known for its soft, chewy interior and a slightly crisp exterior.
  • The fermentation and dairy products in the dough add a slight tang and richness to its flavor.

Roti vs Naan: Regional Variations

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Roti:

  • Roti is a staple in many households across South Asia and is consumed daily in countries like India and Pakistan.
  • It’s often served with cooked vegetables, lentils, chana masala or meats.
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Naan:

  • Naan is more commonly found in restaurants than in home cooking, particularly in Western countries.
  • It’s often served with richer, heavier dishes like curries and is sometimes stuffed (like with potatoes for aloo naan, pictured below, or with ground meat, for keema naan).

Roti vs Naan: Cultural and Historical Significance

Roti:

  • Roti is a pillar of home cooking and simplicity.
  • My Indian mother-in-law would make them for us almost every day on our trips to India and when she visits.
  • Served with simple dals (like her Masoor Dal), rotis are tucked into lunch tiffins and served on a regular basis.
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Naan:

  • Naan has a rich history too, often associated with royal feasts and special occasions.
  • Its preparation in a tandoor and the use of refined flour and dairy products made it a luxury in the past.
  • It’s considered more of a restaurant food now than a home-cooked food.
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Roti vs Naan: Nutritional Differences

Roti, primarily made from whole wheat flour, generally offers more fiber, fewer calories, and less fat compared to naan, which includes all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy products like yogurt or milk.

The additional ingredients in naan, while contributing to its richer flavor and texture, also increase its calorie and fat content, making roti a slightly healthier choice in terms of lightness and fiber.

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Nutrition Facts for Naan:

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Values are based on this butter naan recipe using this nutrition calculator.

Nutrition Facts for Roti:

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Quantities are based on this roti recipe using this nutrition calculator.

Why I Love Both

Both roti and naan are obsessively craveable in their own way.

Roti is a symbol of home cooking and being well fed by hands that love you.

Naan is soft and squishy comfort food used to mop up yummy butter chicken sauce on special occasions.

I wouldn’t want to live in a world without either.

Don’t miss these delicious flatbread recipes:

If you love flatbreads as much as I do, don’t miss my favorite recipes!

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  • Paratha(flaky layered flatbread)
  • Butter naan(the super-viral Instagram recipe)
  • Aloo naan(with a spicy potato stuffing)
  • Kheema naan (filled with spiced ground meat)
  • Roti(the staple recipe I’ve been perfecting for 20 years!)
  • Fresh Flour Tortillas(an easy recipe to make homemade soft flour tortillas)
  • Turkish Bread(fluffy flatbreads)

And don’t miss the great Paratha Vs Naan debate (my Indian husband weighs in!).

Roti vs Naan: The 5 Key Differences (And Why I Love Both!) (2024)

FAQs

Roti vs Naan: The 5 Key Differences (And Why I Love Both!)? ›

The short answer is that naan is made with all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy, and is cooked in a tandoor, resulting in a soft, chewy texture. Roti, on the other hand, roti is made with whole wheat flour and water, cooked on a flat skillet, leading to a lighter, pliable texture.

What is the difference between naan and roti? ›

Roti, typically made with whole wheat flour, is thin and unleavened (made without yeast or other raising agent), offering a denser texture. Naan, on the other hand, uses all-purpose flour and yeast, resulting in a thicker, chewier bread often cooked in a tandoor oven.

What is the difference between Indian roti and bread? ›

The majority of packaged bread is processed, therefore the dietary fibre content is minimal. Since roti is never processed, it retains its roughage. Therefore, it is preferable to rely on roti for your daily intake of roughage, which is essential for having easy bowel movements.

What is the difference between tandoori roti and plain roti? ›

Tandoori roti is cooked in tandoor having more weight and thick while plain roti is cooked over tawa.. hot plate. Less weight less thickness and two layers.. Roti if cooked properly it is cooked just like a ball .

What makes naan different? ›

The name comes from the Persian word, non, for bread. Unlike pita, naan has yogurt, milk, and sometimes eggs or butter in it, resulting in a softer texture. When the dough is made, bakers shape it into a ball and slap it on the interior walls of a tandoor, a clay oven. The bread puffs up and bubbles as it cooks.

Why is naan special? ›

Due to the lengthy process of making a leavened bread, naan historically was available primarily to royalty. The breads, accompanied with kebabs and keema (minced-beef curry), became popular among the Mughal nobility in the 1500s.

What's the difference between naan and paratha? ›

The short answer is that paratha is a flaky, layered flatbread made from whole wheat flour and ghee, often stuffed and pan-fried. Naan, on the other hand, is a soft, chewy leavened bread made from all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy, traditionally baked in a tandoor oven.

Which has more calories, naan or roti? ›

Here is an approximate calorie comparison of the four types of Indian flatbreads you mentioned: Roti: A plain roti, made with whole wheat flour, has around 70-100 calories per piece, depending on its size. Naan: A plain naan, made with refined flour and cooked with ghee or butter, has around 200-300 calories per piece.

Why is roti called roti? ›

The word roti is derived from the Sanskrit word roṭikā, meaning "bread".

What's the difference between naan and butter naan? ›

On the other hand, butter naan is prepared similarly to plain naan but is brushed with melted butter or ghee (clarified butter) after being cooked in the tandoor, giving it a rich and buttery flavor. So, the addition of butter or ghee is what sets butter naan apart from plain naan.

What is the difference between naan and khamiri roti? ›

Naan and khamiri roti are two popular types of Indian bread that differ in their ingredients. Naan is made with refined flour, while khamiri roti is made with whole wheat flour. The term "khamir" means yeast, and traditionally, the whole wheat dough was left to ferment overnight with wild yeast.

Which is the healthiest Indian bread? ›

Simply put, naan is more nutrient-dense than pita or white 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.

What is the difference between roti and naan bread? ›

Naan is a leavened bread (meaning it uses yeast), while roti is an unleavened bread (meaning it doesn't). The different ingredients give a far different texture: naan is soft and chewy, while roti is dense and thin.

What is the difference between naan and roti butter chicken? ›

The short answer is that naan is made with all-purpose flour, yeast, and dairy, and is cooked in a tandoor, resulting in a soft, chewy texture. Roti, on the other hand, roti is made with whole wheat flour and water, cooked on a flat skillet, leading to a lighter, pliable texture.

What does naan mean in Indian? ›

The term "naan" comes from Persian nân (Persian: نان), a generic word for any kind of bread. This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. The term then spread around the globe along with the style of bread itself.

Which is healthier naan or roti? ›

Roti is a healthier option than naan, as it is made from whole wheat flour, high in fiber and essential nutrients. On the other hand, naan is made from all-purpose flour, low in fiber and essential nutrients.

Which is better tandoori roti or butter naan? ›

Tandoori Roti also has almost zero cholesterol, as we do not use any saturated or trans fats while preparing the dough or during cooking. On the other hand, Naan uses ghee or butter in its preparation, so it has some saturated fats and cholesterol.

Do you eat butter chicken with naan or roti? ›

Because naan is a bread, it tastes better if eaten with gravy and chicken butter masala is perfect. In fact, naan and butter chicken is a classic combination that everyone loves!

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