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Copyright © 2025 Foodies Only
7 min
16/01/2026
Naan is an absolute delight with curries like paneer butter masala and chicken curry, among others. However, the leftover ones are either thrown away or reheated, neither of which preserves the texture or taste. This article looks at creative ways to use leftover naans, like pizzas, nachos, naanwich and more. These dishes give new life to naans that one could never have imagined. Dive deeper to learn more!
Indian meals are incomplete without rotis, parathas, and naans. Among all the breads, naan gets an extra edge because of its texture, taste, and adaptability. They are made during special occasions, and usually left behind. Many times, the naan gets discarded because reheating does not give it the texture it is loved for, and it cannot be eaten cold, as its authentic taste is gained when it's off the tandoor and steaming hot. However, the best part about naan is its adaptability. Naan does not have an inherent taste, which makes it absorb flavours nicely, and it can easily be given a makeover with minimal effort. The leftover naan can be turned into fusion delights like pizza, nachos, naanwich and many more. Think of this as leftover bread being used in bread pudding! India also has a ‘nothing should go to waste’ philosophy, which totally fits for naan scenarios. There are multiple dishes that are famous for their leftovers rather than for being fresh. This article looks at such dishes from naans, and will never make you throw away that extra naan.
Indian kitchens are probably the best master chef contestants! Just as leftover roti and some veggies are used to make roti pizza – also known as rotizza - naan too cannot escape this creativity. The naan’s chewy base is ideal for holding tomato sauce, pizza sauce, cheese, veggies and other toppings. You can choose to add mozzarella cheese or make it Indian-style by adding leftover paneer tikka, with peppers, onions and bake it for some time. This will create an Indian pizza, which gets ready in minutes and will probably be the most loved makeover of the leftover naan.
You might not like the texture of leftover naan after reheating, as it softens, but they are a great and ideal way to be used as wraps! You can choose to use your leftover curry or tikkas in the wrap or add freshly cut veggies, sprouted chickpeas, along with some sauce, and you will have a tasty wrap that doesn't have a bland base. This can be a great on-the-go snack and a mess-free lunchbox option as well.
This is perhaps one of the easiest and tastiest leftover naan recipes. To make these nachos, you need to cut them into triangles, brush them with a bit of oil, and toast or bake them until they become crisp. These nachos with an Indian base and taste will taste even better than the OG Tex-Mex cuisine. You can top them up with spices, beans, yoghurt, salsa, and even leftover curry, making for a fusion and hearty appetiser.
Just as pizza base, naan also has the adaptability to become a sandwich bread. If it is a garlic naan, then it can certainly serve as a replacement for oregano-based breads. You can stuff this sandwich with potatoes, scrambled paneer, cheese, and veggies. Toast the naan on the tawa with both sides. This will result in a warm and soft naanwich, perfect for brunch and as a snack in the evenings.
This is probably the most creative way to utilise leftover naans! You can make a fusion platter of leftover naans by turning them into tacos or chips. Give the naan a taco shape and fill it with vegetables or meat, as required, and bake it. Similarly, you can cut the naan into smaller pieces, air fry it and use it as chips that can go with dips like guacamole. These two dishes would make for an interesting platter that would feel and taste like a fresh one, for any party, with only you knowing the secret behind it–the leftover bread! These leftover dishes not only give new life and flavours to naan but also reduce waste and promote sustainability! These ideas are not only trendy but also practical, and show how naan is adaptable to cuisines around the world. This makeover is proof of the fact that with just a touch of imagination, yesterday’s bread can become today’s feast!