Naan vs. Pita Bread: What’s the Difference? – Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads (2024)

FAQs

Naan vs. Pita Bread: What’s the Difference? – Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads? ›

Naan bread is soft, fluffy, and chewy, whereas pita bread is denser with a slightly crispy texture on the outside. Naan bread also has a buttery flavor due to the ghee and buttermilk in the dough, which adds an extra dimension of flavor compared to pita bread's more neutral taste.

Texture: Naan is a larger and softer bread, typically oval in shape. Pita is a bit smaller and firmer. It is rounded and usually has a pocket cut into it. Flavor: Pita bread uses simple ingredients and tastes quite plain.

Pita bread is made with yeast. Therefore it's not unleavened. If you want unleavened flatbread you could use tortilla, roti or chapati. Every culture has some type of flatbread.

Side-by-side, bread contains a little more fiber and slightly fewer carbs than a pita, making it a somewhat more nutritious option. Pitas are lower in sodium than bread, so that it may be the best option for those eating a low-salt diet.

From health perspective, flat breads made of whole wheat flour (roti/paratha/chapati/phulka) are better than the ones made with all-purpose flour (naan & kulcha). If you're new to this kind of food, I insist you to try all varieties of Indian breads.

Naan is an Indian bread that, like a pita, has a large hollow in the center, created by the moisture in its dough turning to steam and forming an air pocket when it bakes. But unlike pita, naan is chewy and delicate in flavor and texture, and once again… very tasty!

To choose a beneficial bread, you can look for varieties made from 100% whole-grain and/or sprouted-grain flours. Make sure your bread is low in added sweeteners. A few good options include sourdough, rye, flax, and oat breads.

Choose whole wheat varieties, which contain more fiber and nutrients. Choose lower sodium options, especially if you are watching your blood pressure. Select pita bread with higher fiber and/or protein content which will help keep you full.

What most people don't realize is, most Indians don't eat naan everyday. It's a treat reserved for special occasions. A healthier alternative that is eaten daily in most indian households, is roti (also called chapati or fulka). It's an unleavened flatbread made of just two ingredients - whole wheat flour and water.

Trying your hand at the Mediterranean diet? This vegetarian (but still with 19 g protein) salad on naan bread is a great dinner option.

Is pita bread anti-inflammatory? ›

Pita bread reduces inflammation within the body.

Blood Sugar: Since blood sugar response can vary, some people may notice pita bread spikes their blood sugar even if it's made with whole wheat flour. Experimenting with different toppings or fillings may help, but if pita bread consistently causes a blood sugar spike, it may not be the best choice.

What bread can you eat on a Mediterranean diet? Is sourdough bread allowed on the Mediterranean diet? Any bread that is made from whole wheat, whole grains, sprouts, and sourdough is recommended while on a Mediterranean diet.

Whole Grain Bread

Thanks to their high fiber and nutrient content, breads made with whole grains, including whole wheat, are generally the go-to healthiest breads that dietitians recommend. “Most people need more fiber in their diets, so finding high-fiber bread is often a good idea,” Dodd says.

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. Despite its high carb content, naan can be considered a more nutrient-dense alternative to white bread and pita.

Flour, yeast, milk, and butter make a tender dough that's simply seasoned with garlic and salt, but there is a wide array of naan bread flavors. You'll find everything from coconut and raisin-stuffed bread to saucy lamb-topped naan in restaurants and home kitchens around the world.

One of the unique features of pita bread is its ability to puff up when baked, thanks to the combination of the yeast, flour and the heat, which causes the rapid expansion of the dough. The result: a fluffy, chewy bread with a pocket in the middle that can be used to encase all types of delicious fillings.

today, naan has traveled a long way in becoming a favorite with multiple gravy-based dishes in indian cuisine and a staple in iran, south asia, and many middle eastern countries.