Last updated on August 13th, 2025
Sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs and we can’t finish a meal before us. Naan fills us very quickly, more than not there’s likely to be leftovers. But when reheating it, it’s hard to get it as nice as it was the day before.
To make sure good food doesn’t go to waste, we’ll be discussing how to reheat naan, and deciding which is the best method. Leftover naan doesn’t have to be a disappointment. That fluffy, buttery bread you couldn’t finish yesterday can taste just as good as fresh—if you know how to reheat it properly.
What to Know
The best way to reheat naan bread is using a combination of microwave and skillet: wrap the naan in a damp paper towel, microwave for 40 seconds, then place on a hot skillet for 20 seconds per side. This method takes under 2 minutes and maintains both the soft interior and crispy exterior texture.
For storage, naan lasts 3-5 days at room temperature or up to 3 months when frozen.
Always add moisture when reheating to prevent the bread from drying out, and avoid exceeding recommended cooking times as naan reheats quickly.
- Best method: Microwave + skillet combo (under 2 minutes total)
- Storage life: 3-5 days at room temp, 3 months frozen
- Temperature: 400°F for oven, 410°F for air fryer
- Tip: Always add moisture to prevent drying out
Tips
- Always add moisture – Naan dries out quickly when reheated. Use damp paper towels, water sprays, or butter to keep it soft.
- Work fast – Naan reheats in under 4 minutes with any method. Longer cooking times lead to tough, dried-out bread.
- Use medium to high heat – Low heat will make naan chewy. Higher temperatures quickly restore the crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft.
- Don’t skip the flip – When using stovetop or skillet methods, turn the naan to heat both sides evenly and recreate those signature air pockets.
- Butter after heating – A light brush of melted butter after reheating brings back that fresh, restaurant-style taste and adds moisture.
- Reheat only what you’ll eat – Naan gets worse each time it’s reheated, so only warm up individual portions.
- Thaw frozen naan first – Except in the microwave, let frozen naan come to room temperature before reheating for even heating.
- Cover when possible – Whether using foil in the oven or a damp towel in the microwave, covering prevents moisture loss.
- Test timing with your appliances – Microwaves and ovens vary in power. Start with shorter times and add more if needed.
- Serve immediately – Reheated naan is best eaten right away while it’s still warm and soft.
How Long Your Naan Will Stay Good
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 3-5 days | Keep in sealed bag or container |
| Refrigerated | 6-8 days | Bread may go stale faster due to starch changes |
| Frozen | Up to 3 months | Use airtight freezer bags |
Tip: Room temperature storage often works better than the fridge. Cold temperatures speed up the staling process in bread.
How To Reheat Naan: 4 Ways
| Method | Time | Effort | Texture Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave + Skillet | <2 min | Medium | Excellent | Speed + quality |
| Oven | 2-3 min | Low | Good | Multiple pieces |
| Stovetop | 45 sec | Medium | Very good | Fresh naan only |
| Air Fryer | 4 min | Very low | Good | Convenience |
There are four classic ways of reheating naan, which includes using an oven, microwave, stove or air fryer. How long it takes to reheat naan bread is dependent on which way you reheat the bread.
1. Microwave + Skillet Method (Best Overall)
Time: Under 2 minutes
Works for: Fresh and frozen naan
This two-step approach gives you the best results in the shortest time.
Steps:
- Wrap naan in a damp paper towel
- Microwave for 40 seconds
- Heat a skillet on high while naan is in microwave
- Transfer naan to hot skillet for 20 seconds per side
Why it works: The microwave heats it through quickly while the damp towel prevents drying. The skillet adds back the crispy texture and recreates those signature air pockets.
2. Oven Method (Most Common)
Time: 2-3 minutes
Temperature: 400°F
Works for: Fresh and frozen naan
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of water on each side of naan
- Wrap in aluminum foil
- Place on middle rack for 2-3 minutes maximum
Watch out: This method dries out naan easily. Don’t skip the water or foil, and never exceed 3 minutes.
3. Stovetop Method (No Special Equipment)
Time: 45 seconds total
Works for: Fresh naan only (not frozen)
Steps:
- Heat skillet on high
- Place naan in pan for 15 seconds
- Spray the top side with water
- Flip and cook 30 seconds more
- Spray again and brush both sides with melted butter
Bonus: The butter step recreates that restaurant-fresh taste.
4. Air Fryer Method (Least Effort)
Time: 4 minutes
Temperature: 410°F
Works for: Fresh and frozen naan
Steps:
- Spray air fryer basket with oil or water
- Cook naan for 4 minutes at 410°F
- Brush with butter after cooking
Why choose this: Set it and forget it. The circulating air crisps the outside while keeping the inside soft.
How To Reheat Frozen Naan Bread
- Microwave method: Add 5-10 seconds to regular timing
- Room temperature thaw: 3 hours
- Other methods: Add 30-60 seconds to cooking time
For frozen naan, the microwave works best because it defrosts and reheats in one step.
A microwave will be your best bet. If you do not have a microwave, leave at room temperature for three hours to allow the bread to defrost.
If you do have a microwave, you can defrost and reheat your naan all in one, with it often taking less than two minutes.
To heat your frozen naan in the microwave, use a wet paper towel on the naan to make sure it doesn’t lose its moisture. Place in the microwave for 35 seconds.
If Something Goes Wrong…
- Skipping moisture: Always add water, steam, or butter to prevent drying
- Too much time: Naan reheats fast—longer doesn’t mean better
- High heat without protection: Always use foil in the oven or a damp towel in the microwave
- Refrigerating unnecessarily: Room temperature storage works fine for next-day consumption
Reheating Naan Bread Is Safe and Worth It!
Reheating naan is 100% safe. You can store and eat naan within three days of making a fresh batch.
The secret? Work fast and add moisture back.
Heating up leftover naan bread with a microwave, oven, air fryer or stove are all effective ways of reheating. Using an oven to reheat your naan is the easiest way to burn your naan bread, so it may be worth giving the other three methods a go first.
Now that you have several ways to reheat your naan bread, there’s no excuse for good food to go wasted!
FAQs
Can You Reheat Naan Bread The Next Day?
It is safe to reheat and eat naan bread the next day. Overnight, you can either store the naan bread in the fridge or the freezer. Make sure to wrap the naan bread in a bag so the air doesn’t dry it out. It is better to eat naan bread in the close days after it’s been made as it will change texture the longer it is left.
Can I Eat Naan Bread the Next Day?
Yes, you can safely eat naan bread the next day. Naan stays good for 3-5 days when stored properly at room temperature in a sealed bag or container. For best results, store it at room temperature rather than in the fridge, as refrigeration can make the bread go stale faster. When you’re ready to eat it, you can enjoy it cold or reheat it using any of the methods mentioned earlier – the microwave and skillet combination works great for bringing back that fresh texture.
Can You Microwave Naan Bread in the Oven?
You can either microwave naan bread (using microwave radiation) or heat it in a conventional oven (using hot air), but not both at the same time. If you meant reheating naan in a regular oven, yes – wrap it in foil with a little water and heat at 400°F for 2-3 minutes. The microwave method is faster though, taking just 40 seconds when wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Should I Put Leftover Naan Bread In The Fridge?
Yes and no. Most people do place their naan in the fridge and it can extend the naan breads shelf life by 3-4 days. Although when naan bread is refrigerated, the recrystallization of starch molecules within the bread starts to speed up. This recrystallization means that the naan bread will start to go stale.
If you want to eat your naan bread the next day, you can keep it in an airtight container or bag at room temperature.
Does Naan Bread Need to Be Heated?
No, naan doesn’t need to be heated – it’s safe to eat cold. However, heating it dramatically improves the texture and flavor. Cold naan tends to be dense and chewy, while warm naan is soft and fluffy with better aroma. Since naan is traditionally served warm and pairs better with hot dishes, most people prefer to reheat it even if it’s not required.
How to Save Leftover Naan?
Store leftover naan in a sealed bag or airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Avoid refrigerating naan if possible – the cold speeds up the staling process and makes the bread go stale faster. For freezing, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap first, then place in freezer bags to prevent freezer burn and make it easy to reheat single portions later.
Is Naan Bread Served Warm?
Naan bread is served best when it is warm and is served warm in restaurants and when purchasing a takeaway. The moist bread is soft when it’s hot and pairs better with curries.
If you would like to keep your naan bread warm it’s best to place it in an oven at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Spraying the naan bread with water or butter will help the texture of the bread and wrapping the naan bread up in foil will keep in the heat.
If you are catering for a special event or simplifying hosting a special event, the next best thing to an oven is a heat lamp. Placing the naan bread, wrapped in foil under the heat lamp will keep it warm for a long period of time.
How Do You Reheat Flatbread In The Oven?
Naan bread is also known as flatbread due to the yeast raised dough. Pita bread is also known as flatbread. Pita is similar to naan bread with the main difference being that naan bread is commonly made either with a yogurt, milk or egg base which gives the bread a different texture.
So, how do you reheat flatbread in the oven? Well, if you’re talking about pita bread you can reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
