Recipe hydration

Sourdough Naan — Hydration Guide

Target 70%. Workable range 6575%.

Why this hydration for Sourdough Naan?

Sourdough naan uses yogurt (20% of flour weight) for tenderness + tang enhancement. Traditionally baked in a tandoor (clay oven) at 900°F but adapted to home skillet or 550°F oven. Charred spots, puffy texture, brushed with butter/ghee after cooking.

Flour mix: 100% bread flour.

Technique at 70%

Mix dough with yogurt + water. 3h bulk. Divide into 100g pieces, short 1h proof. Stretch into teardrop shape. Cook on very hot cast-iron skillet (or under hot broiler) 90 sec per side. Brush with melted butter/ghee, optionally sprinkle fresh herbs (cilantro).

Calculator pre-set to 70%

Flour to add
450 g
Water to add
300 g
Salt
10 g
Levain @ 100%
100 g
Total dough
860 g
Effective hydration
70%
How the math works

Total water = flour × hydration %. Your levain contributes 50 g flour + 50 g water — both count toward the totals. You add only the remainder as fresh flour and water.

Salt % is computed on total flour weight, not final-dough flour.

Open 70% hydration guide →

Source: J. Kenji López-Alt (Serious Eats) — Naan formula adapted