If there’s one thing I love more than a quick weeknight recipe, it’s a recipe that tastes way more impressive than the effort it takes. And this 20-Minute Garlic Cottage Cheese Naan is exactly that.

It’s soft, fluffy, high-protein, and requires zero yeast—which means no rising time, no waiting around, and definitely no complicated steps.

This recipe became a regular in my kitchen on those nights when I wanted something warm and comforting but didn’t feel like making a full dinner from scratch. It works as a side for curries, soups, or grilled meats, but honestly… I eat it on its own with some melted butter and extra garlic. It’s that good.

The best part? The cottage cheese adds protein, keeps the naan soft, and blends right into the dough—you can’t even taste it. So if you’re looking for something quick, cozy, and secretly nutritious, this is the perfect recipe to keep in your weekly rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High-Protein and Surprisingly Satisfying

Cottage cheese gives this naan a natural protein boost without changing the flavor. It still tastes like classic garlic naan, but keeps you fuller longer—perfect if you’re trying to make lighter meals more satisfying.

No Yeast or Rising Time

This is truly a weeknight-friendly recipe. No yeast, no waiting, no complicated steps. Mix the dough, roll it out, cook it, and you’re done. You get soft, fluffy naan in just 20 minutes.

Soft, Fluffy, and Perfectly Chewy

The cottage cheese keeps the dough moist and tender, while the baking powder creates that signature puff and light chew. You’ll get those golden bubbles and soft texture you normally only find in restaurant-style naan.

Simple Pantry Ingredients

Nothing fancy here—just flour, cottage cheese, baking powder, garlic, butter, and a few seasonings. It’s a great recipe to keep in your rotation because you can make it anytime with basic staples.

Great for Dipping, Wrapping, or Serving

This naan works with everything: curries, soups, salads, dips, or even breakfast wraps. It’s sturdy enough to hold fillings but soft enough to tear and enjoy warm with garlic butter.

Easy to Customize

You can add herbs, extra garlic, chili flakes, or cheese depending on your mood. The dough is very forgiving, so it’s a fun one to experiment with without worrying about messing it up.

Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient that makes this naan soft, fluffy, and higher in protein. It melts right into the dough, so you won’t taste curds—just a rich, tender texture. Full-fat or low-fat both work; just avoid watery cottage cheese for the best results.

1 cup all-purpose flour

This forms the structure of the naan and keeps it chewy and foldable. Spoon and level your flour for accuracy—too much can make the dough dry or dense. You can swap in half whole-wheat flour if you want a heartier, more rustic naan.

1 teaspoon baking powder

This gives the naan its lift and helps create those classic bubbles on the surface as it cooks. No yeast needed—baking powder does all the work in just minutes.

½ teaspoon salt

Salt brings out the flavor of the dough and balances the richness from the cottage cheese. You can reduce it slightly if you plan to top your naan with salted garlic butter.

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

Fresh garlic gives this recipe that classic aromatic punch. You can add more (or less) depending on how garlicky you like your naan. Pre-minced garlic works in a pinch, but fresh gives the best flavor.

2 tablespoons melted butter (or ghee)

Brushing the naan with melted butter or ghee gives it that golden, restaurant-style finish. Ghee adds a richer, nuttier flavor, while butter keeps it soft and classic.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

A handful of fresh herbs makes the naan taste brighter and more flavorful. Cilantro gives a traditional flavor, while parsley keeps it mild and fresh.

Optional: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

If you love a deep garlic flavor, a touch of garlic powder boosts the aroma and blends into the dough more evenly.

Optional: Chili flakes or black pepper

For a little heat or extra flavor, sprinkle chili flakes or cracked black pepper on top before serving.

How to Make 20-Minute Garlic Cottage Cheese Naan

1. Blend the Cottage Cheese

Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth.
This step is important because it gives your naan a soft, uniform texture with no curds.

2. Make the Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Pour in the blended cottage cheese and gently stir until a dough starts to form.
Use your hands to knead it for about 1–2 minutes, just until it becomes soft and pliable.
(The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If it sticks to your hands, add a sprinkle of flour.)

3. Shape the Naan

Divide the dough into 4 equal balls.
Lightly flour your surface and roll each piece into an oval or circle—about ¼ inch thick.
Don’t worry about perfect shapes; the rustic look is part of the charm.

4. Cook the Naan

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Once hot, add one piece of dough.
Cook for 1–2 minutes, until bubbles form and the bottom has golden spots.
Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes.
Repeat with the remaining pieces.

5. Add the Garlic Butter

Mix your melted butter (or ghee) with the minced garlic.
Brush each warm naan generously with the garlic butter mixture.
Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro, and serve right away for the softest texture.

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Tips for Success

Don’t skip blending the cottage cheese

This is what transforms cottage cheese into a smooth, dough-friendly base. Unblended cottage cheese creates lumps and uneven texture.

Use medium-high heat

Hot pans create the signature bubbles and golden patches. Low heat will dry out the naan before it cooks through.

Adjust the flour if needed

Different cottage cheese brands have different moisture levels.
If your dough is sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until it comes together.

Roll evenly

Thicker areas may stay doughy. Rolling to an even thickness ensures quick and consistent cooking.

Serve immediately

Cottage cheese naan tastes incredible fresh off the skillet. If reheating later, warm it in a skillet—not the microwave—to keep the texture soft.

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Variations You will love

Cheesy Garlic Naan

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar over the naan right after flipping.
Cover the pan for 30 seconds to help it melt.
This turns your naan into a stretchy, cheesy dream.

Spicy Chili Naan

Add chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or chopped jalapeños into the dough for a kick.
Perfect if you love heat.

Herb Naan

Mix fresh cilantro, parsley, dill, or chives directly into the dough.
It adds color and fresh herb flavor in every bite.

Yogurt Swap

No cottage cheese?
Use plain Greek yogurt for a similar protein-packed, soft dough.
You may need a little less flour since yogurt is wetter.

Stuffed Naan

Fill the dough with mashed potatoes, paneer, or grated cheese before rolling.
Press gently to seal and cook the same way.

Conclusion

This 20-Minute Garlic Cottage Cheese Naan is one of those recipes that feels almost too good to be true—simple ingredients, quick steps, and a payoff that tastes like something you’d get from a restaurant.

It’s soft, warm, garlicky, and unbelievably satisfying, especially considering how fast it comes together.

What I love most is how versatile it is. You can pair it with soups, curries, salads, or enjoy it on its own straight from the skillet. And because the dough is boosted with cottage cheese, it’s naturally higher in protein and a little more nutritious without losing any of that classic naan comfort.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself after a long day or whipping up a last-minute side for dinner guests, this naan never disappoints. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make once and immediately add to your weekly rotation—simple, reliable, and consistently delicious.