These are vegan pumpkin mini naans shaped like jack-o-lanterns that are perfect to entertain family and friends for Halloween! The pumpkin puree adds nutrition as well as color to the naans. These can be served with a dip.
As Halloween approaches, the thing that comes to my mind is always picking a pumpkin and carving it. Kids would think of their orange colored jack-o-lantern candy basket. That's the foremost thing that we always remember. So, applying the same to our bread makes these mini naans. Pumpkin cookie cutters are the best and easiest way to make these shapes. After cutting out, the scrap dough can rest for a while, while you work with other dough portions. In this way, they become more pliable and easy to reshape.
Pumpkin puree is added to flavor and color these naans. Pumpkins are a great source of Vitamin A and hence it is a good idea to sneak into breads. I always do that every fall when I bake these Pumpkin shaped Pumpkin Rolls, or Tangzhong Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns. Pumpkin puree can be added to dough to make a delicious pumpkin paratha.
Naans are usually baked in a clay oven called tandoor. They can be made in a regular oven as well as on the stove top. In this recipe, making naan in the oven as well as on stove top is described. Water is brushed onto the surface of the naan and this helps the dough stick to the baking surface. Since these are mini sized, they bake up quickly. Baking stone or even a baking sheet can be used. I personally loved the stove top version more than the baked version. The former was chewier than the latter.
These mini naans are perfect to serve as appetizers with a delicious dip. A curried bean dip is one choice to serve. Guacamole is also a tasty dip with these naans, or even hummus or flavored hummus. Play around with your choice of dips and make a fun memory this Halloween with friends and family, do let me know how these turned out.
Can you believe this is October? Time flies! October is also the season for everything spooky. As Halloween approaches, cooking or baking spooky dishes or baked goods is part of our routine. Well, if you are also trying to do the same, you should check the #breadbakers group. This month we are baking spooky breads for Halloween suggested by Renu. #BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
Pumpkins are loaded with nutrients and are one of the healthy vegetables. They are not only good in breads, but in many other recipes. Here are some of the recipes for you to try.
Ingredients
Makes 38-40
All purpose flour - 2 and quarter cup
Pumpkin purée - 1/2 cup plus a tbsp
Water - 1/3 cup
Salt - 1 tsp
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Active dry yeast - 2 tsp
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Garlic butter ( regular or vegan ) for brushing
Method
Activate the yeast in warm water with sugar. Add this to the flour along with pumpkin puree, and salt. Knead to a smooth dough. Transfer to a container, and apply oil.
Cover and let it prove for an hour and a half.
Transfer the dough to a flour dusted surface, punch and knead. Divide into eight portions.
Take a portion of the dough and roll into 1/8-inch thick circle. Using the pumpkin cookie cutter, cutout pumpkin shapes. Make eyes with decorating tips or knife, and cut mouth. Repeat with the rest. The scraps of the dough can rest while the rest of the dough is made into jack-o-lanterns. This helps in resting the dough and makes it easier to roll and cut into shapes.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place you pizza stone inside and let it come to this temperature. Brush water on one side of the jack-o-lantern, and place this side facing down on the stone. Bake for one and a half minute to two minutes. Flip and cook for a minute. Remove from the oven, brush with garlic butter. Repeat with the next batch.
To make this naan on the stovetop: Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high flame. Take a piece of jack-o-lantern, and apply water on one side. Place the water brushed side facing down. Cook for 1 minute and 40 seconds. Flip, cover, and cook for 40 -60 seconds. Remove from the pan, and smear garlic butter.
Serve warm with a dip.
Check the recipes of spooky breads we shared today for the October 2022 edition of #BreadBakers.
- Black Dahlia Pistachio Loaf from A Messy Kitchen
- Breadstick Snakes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cheesy Halloween Breadstick Bones from Sneha's Recipe
- Halloween Ghost Bread from Ambrosia
- Mini Pizza Mummies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Mummy Bread from Passion Kneaded
- Spooky Halloween Stuffed bread from Cook with Renu
- Mini Jack-o-Lantern Naans from The Magical Ingredients
A Day in the Life on the Farm says
These would be perfect on a Halloween appetizer tray.
Renu says
Love this naan bread, a lovely fusion and would be best for Halloween as well as Diwali party
Renu says
Love this naan bread, a lovely fusion and would be best for Halloween as well as Diwali party
Renu says
Love this naan bread, a lovely fusion and would be best for Halloween as well as Diwali party
Namita says
Lovey colour and texture in your Jack-O-Lantern naans Radha. Addition of pumpkin is a great Idea.
hobby baker Kelly says
They are beyond cute and look delicious as well!
Kelster says
These are so cute!
Karen says
These are so adorable!! Perfect for scooping up anything!