How Many Calories Are in a Takeaway Garlic Naan Bread?

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Nutracheck, a single takeaway garlic naan can contain as much as 762 calories, showing that these popular Indian flatbreads are far from a low-calorie side dish. Understanding the calorie count in a takeaway garlic naan bread is crucial for anyone monitoring their intake or making healthier choices when ordering Indian food.

Quick Summary

This article explores the calorie content of a typical takeaway garlic naan, detailing the main ingredients that contribute to its energy value. It also compares the calorie counts of different naan variations and provides tips for making healthier choices with your Indian takeaway.

Key Points

High Calorie Content: A single takeaway garlic naan can contain between 300 and over 700 calories, varying significantly based on size and preparation.
Major Contributors: The calories primarily come from refined white flour, dairy (yogurt/milk), and a generous brushing of butter or oil.
Variety Impact: Naan variations like Peshwari (with coconut and fruit) and Cheese naan contain substantially more calories than a plain or garlic version.
Healthier Alternatives: For a lower-calorie option, opt for roti or chapati, which use whole wheat flour and less fat.
Simple Adjustments: Asking for a 'dry' naan (without butter) or sharing a single naan can significantly reduce the calorie impact of your meal.
Portion Control is Key: An average-sized takeaway naan can represent a significant portion of your daily calorie allowance, so mindful consumption is advised.

Understanding the Calories in a Takeaway Garlic Naan

A takeaway garlic naan is a delicious and popular accompaniment to any Indian meal, but its calorie content can be surprisingly high. The precise number of calories can vary significantly between different restaurants and even between different batches from the same establishment. A typical takeaway garlic naan can range from approximately 300 to over 700 calories, depending on its size and how it is prepared. The primary reason for this high calorie count lies in the ingredients used to create its rich texture and flavour, including refined flour, yogurt, and a generous brushing of oil or butter.

The Major Calorie Contributors

The calories in a garlic naan come from its key ingredients. Here is a breakdown:

Refined Flour (Maida): The primary ingredient in most naan recipes is white refined flour. It is a source of simple carbohydrates and forms the bulk of the bread, contributing a significant portion of the total calories.
Yogurt and Milk: Yogurt is used to help tenderise the dough, while milk adds richness. These dairy products contribute to both the fat and calorie content, providing a softer texture and richer flavour.
Oil and Butter: After baking, naan bread is often brushed with melted butter or ghee, which adds flavour but also a substantial amount of fat and calories. Some recipes may also include oil or butter in the dough itself.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar is typically added to feed the yeast and aid the fermentation process, contributing a minimal amount of additional calories.

Naan Calorie Comparison: Garlic vs. Other Variations

To put the calories of a garlic naan into perspective, it helps to compare it with other popular naan varieties. As the data below shows, the ingredients added for flavour can significantly increase the calorie count.


Naan Type	Estimated Calories (Per average naan)	Key Calorie-Adding Ingredients
Plain Naan	400-600 kcal	Refined flour, butter/ghee
Garlic Naan	300-700+ kcal	Refined flour, butter/ghee, garlic oil
Peshwari Naan	Up to 748 kcal	Coconut, sugar, nuts, dried fruit
Cheese Naan	~530 kcal	Melted cheese, refined flour, butter

The addition of ingredients like nuts, coconut, and cheese pushes the calorie count far higher than that of a standard plain naan. A takeaway garlic naan, with its generous coating of garlic-infused oil or butter, is often at the higher end of the calorie scale among simpler variations.

How Cooking Methods Impact Calories

The way a naan is cooked also affects its final calorie count. Traditional tandoori cooking involves baking the naan in a clay oven, which typically uses less oil than skillet-fried alternatives. However, the key differentiator for takeaway versions is the amount of butter or ghee brushed on top, which is almost always more than what is used in homemade versions.

Making Healthier Takeaway Choices

For those watching their calorie intake, enjoying an Indian takeaway doesn't mean you have to skip the bread entirely. Here are a few tips to make a healthier choice:

Opt for Roti or Chapati: These are thinner, unleavened flatbreads made with whole wheat flour and generally contain fewer calories and less fat than naan. They are cooked on a griddle (tawa) rather than in a tandoor with added oil.
Ask for 'Dry' Naan: Requesting a naan without the additional butter or ghee brushed on top can save a significant number of calories and saturated fat.
Portion Control: Rather than having a whole naan to yourself, consider sharing it. This is a simple way to enjoy the flavour without consuming the full calorie load. A single full naan can provide over a third of a person's average daily recommended intake.
Consider a Homemade Version: Preparing your own garlic naan at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to use healthier flour alternatives (like whole wheat) and moderate the amount of butter or oil used. This can significantly reduce the calories and fat content while still delivering great flavour.

Conclusion

While a takeaway garlic naan bread is a delicious addition to an Indian meal, it is important to be aware of its high calorie count. A single naan can easily contain anywhere from 300 to over 700 calories, primarily due to the refined flour, yogurt, and generous brushing of oil or butter. The next time you order a takeaway, you can enjoy it responsibly by being mindful of portion sizes or by choosing a healthier alternative like roti to help manage your calorie intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While plain naan has a similar base, garlic naan is often coated with garlic-infused butter or oil, which can increase the overall fat and calorie count, making it potentially higher in calories than a plain naan.

Yes, the calorie content can vary widely between different takeaways. Factors such as the size of the naan, the amount of butter or ghee used, and the specific recipe all influence the final nutritional value.

Generally, roti or chapati are the lowest calorie bread options. They are typically made from whole wheat flour and cooked on a dry griddle, using little to no fat.

You can reduce the calories by asking for a 'dry' naan, which is not brushed with extra butter or oil. Sharing a naan with someone else is also an effective strategy for portion control.

Takeaway naan often uses more refined flour and is brushed with more fat (butter or ghee) for flavour and texture, compared to most homemade recipes where ingredients and fats can be controlled.

The garlic itself adds negligible calories. The increase comes from the fat (butter or oil) that the garlic is infused in and brushed onto the naan, which adds the majority of the extra calories.

Varieties like peshwari naan, which contains a sweet filling of coconut, sugar, and fruit, and cheese naan are typically very high in calories due to the rich, energy-dense ingredients.