Learn how to make perfect Naan Pizza with this quick and easy recipe (+ find out the common mistakes to avoid!). You’ll love this pizza hack!
I discovered a hack for the most amazing pizza at home.
Did you know that naan makes a pizza crust with that magical combination of crisp, chewy and fluffy?
Shockingly similar to a wood-oven pizza.
Top your naan pizza with your favorite toppings, and never take the long way around again.
I love this tapping-into recipe when I have leftover naan—it’s an easy weekday lunch or dinner that the whole family will dive into.
Here’s What You Need
Gather these simple, super-accessible ingredients and tools to whip up your naan bread pizza!
Ingredients
It takes very little shopping to make these pizzas:
- Naan bread: Your ready-to-use pizza base! I personally love to use my viral naan recipe, but store-bought works too! Choose naan around 8-inches.
- Red pizza sauce: Provides a tangy and savory base for the pizza, often seasoned with garlic, oregano, basil, and other Italian herbs.
- Mozzarella cheese: I like use shredded mozza and toss on a few chunks to make melty, gooey, cheesy puddles and epic cheese pulls.
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray: It helps crisp up the naan bread when baked and prevents sticking.
- Favorite pizza toppings: pepperoni, cooked chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, pesto, mushrooms, olives, onions, and more. Aim for a balance of flavors and textures. For instance, mix sweet bell peppers with salty olives or mix meats and veggies for variety.
- Fresh basil: Totally optional. I love adding fresh herbs to brighten up the rich pizza.
Substitutions and Variations
There’s so much you can do with this base recipe. Honestly, open the fridge and veggie drawer and use up what you have!
- Pizza sauce swap: Use marinara sauce, tomato basil sauce, or even homemade pizza sauce you’ve got in the freezer.
- Cheese alternatives: A mix of mozzarella and provolone, cheddar for a sharper taste, or a dairy-free cheese for a vegan option.
- Naan bread substitutes: You can also use pita bread, or try it with garlic naan or cheese naan, if you’re feeling extra. I love all flatbread pizza!
- Make it spicy: Sprinkle over red pepper flakes or drizzle with a little chili oil at the end.
How to Make Naan Pizza: An Easy Guide
Prepare the naan
If you’re using homemade naan, cook it first, at least on the side that will be the bottom of the pizza crust.
Place naan on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray each naan with olive or avocado oil.
Spread 2 tbsp pizza sauce on each naan, leaving a small border around the edge.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella over the sauce, making sure it’s evenly spaced.
Add toppings and bake
Add your favorite toppings and bake for 10-12 minutes in the oven at 425°F (220°C).
Garnish and serve
Remove the naan from the oven, add the fresh basil, and serve hot and steamy.
3 Common Mistakes When Making Naan Pizza
As a food scientist and lover of pizza, I love sharing my insights with you. This recipe is super simple, but there are a few roadblocks to avoid:
- Overloading with toppings: Adding too many toppings can make the naan soggy and difficult to bake evenly. It’s important to balance the toppings so that the naan can crisp up properly in the oven.
- Skipping the oil: Lightly spraying or brushing the naan with olive oil or avocado oil helps to crisp up the bread and enhance its flavor.
- Not watching closely during baking: Naan pizza cooks relatively quickly, usually in about 10-12 minutes at a high temperature. Towards the end of baking, it’s important to keep an eye on the pizza to prevent it from burning or the edges from becoming too crispy.
Make Ahead and Storage
To prepare in advance, get all your toppings and sauces prepared, cooked, cooled and ready to go.
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Here’s how to reheat pizza in an air fryer.
How to Serve this Naan Pizza Recipe
Serve your naan pizzas whole or slice them up to lay them on a serving plate. I like serving a fresh salad like a strawberry caprese or a healthy kale caesar salad.
This sunny peach caesar with creamy mozzarella is another tasty pairing. Depending on the weather, a bowl of steaming spiced carrot and apple soup is another winner – think pizza, soup combo!
Having a pizza night? End with my sweet pizza – think sugar cookie fruit pizza with fluffy cream cheese frosting. You’re welcome!
FAQs About Naan Pizza
Just whizzing through this recipe post? Check out these highlights:
Yes, you can make naan pizza on a stovetop or grill. Preheat a pan or skillet over medium heat, assemble your naan pizza, and cover with a lid to melt the cheese. Check periodically to prevent burning. You can also make it in an air fryer.
To prevent the naan from getting soggy, ensure you do not overload it with sauce and toppings. Lightly pre-baking the naan before adding toppings can also help create a crispier base.
More Pizza-Related Articles You Need To Check Out
Up your pizza game with my bank of pizza recipes and guides:
- Make this 3 ingredient (plus seasoning) grilled zucchini pizza.
- A shrimp pizza? Yup – this is a seafood lovers’ summer Sunday night dream.
- Want to know how to reheat pizza in an air fryer? I got you!
- My basic red pizza sauce is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
- Another air fryer hack: Make air fryer pizza the easy way.
- Here is a classic recipe for the ultimate pizza dough.
- I must admit that this pizza with biscuit dough crust might be one of my favorite ways to make pizza.
Naan Pizza (Quick, Easy + Foolproof Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 4 pieces naan homemade naan or storebought, each about 8 inches
- 1 cup red pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 spray avocado oil
- Desired pizza toppings pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, etc.
- bresh basil optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the naan bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly spray each piece of naan with olive oil or avocado oil.
- Spread 2 tbsp of pizza sauce over each piece of naan, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce on each piece of naan.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with fresh basil if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Ingredient Tips: Pre-cooked naan bread works fine or use my viral homemade butter naan recipe.
- Cooking Tips: Keep an eye on the pizzas while they bake to ensure the cheese melts perfectly and doesn’t overcook.
- Serving Tips: Serve naan pizzas hot out of the oven. They pair well with a simple salad.
- Substitutes: Use any cheese you prefer. Cheddar, fontina, or a blend of Italian cheeses are great alternatives.
- Storage Tips: Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Here’s how to reheat pizza in an air fryer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Isn’t it just simpler to order pizza though? Guess this could be fun for a DIY night.
I ventured to make naan pizza using this guide and was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out. It’s such a joy to find recipes that are both easy and delicious.
Curious, has anyone attempted to make their own naan from scratch for this recipe? I’m wondering about the fermentation process and how it might enhance the flavor profile of the pizza.
Jennifer, this naan pizza was a hit with the kids! It’s the perfect weeknight meal for busy families. I appreciate the variety of substitutions provided, making it easy to customize based on what I have on hand.
tried cooking this and didn’t burn down the kitchen, call that a win in my book lol
While the concept of naan pizza presents a novel twist on traditional pizza, it’s important to consider the texture and flavor differences. Naan, being more dense and chewy, may not cater to everyone’s palate when compared with the crispiness of thin pizza bases.
I found that substituting with whole wheat naan and adding a variety of vegetables can make this recipe more nutritious while still maintaining its convenience and flavour.
Great tip, Tina! Tried it with spinach and cherry tomatoes, and it was delicious.
this is great, naan pizza saves my life on busy study nights. tastes good with whatever leftovers I’ve got in my fridge lol
Absolutely love this naan pizza recipe! I experimented with different toppings and found that caramelized onions, goat cheese, and arugula make a fantastic combination. Kudos to Jennifer for such a versatile base recipe that allows for so much creativity!
Has anyone tried making this naan pizza with gluten-free naan? Looking for ways to tweak this for my gluten-sensitive kiddo without losing the quick prep time.