This Air Fryer Paneer Tikka is a very quick and delicious appetizer recipe made with some marinated paneer or Indian cottage cheese, and grilled in a Air Fryer.
Paneer Tikka is one of the most popular vegetarian appetizers/snacks from Northern India. Basically, paneer or Indian cottage cheese, is marinated in yogurt along with some vegetables and some indian spices and is grilled over tandoor ( earthen oven). This is a great vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka or any other meat.
The grilled or tandoor paneer and vegetables are served with some mint coriander chutney and some thin onion slices. This makes a great party appetizers, you can marinate the paneer and vegetables a day ahead, and just grill it before your guests arrive. It's a very quick and a delicious appetizer.
There are many variations to this paneer tikka. Paneer tikka masala, is a onion tomato based gravy served with paneer tikka. Paneer tikka rolls, indian flat bread stuffed with paneer tikka and some salad, wrapped in a roll.
I like to serve paneer tikka with some coriander mint chutney / dip.
Indian Cottage Cheese Bites / Paneer Tikka
Ingredients
- 28 oz paneer cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 large onion chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 1 large green bell pepper chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 cup thick yogurt
- 2 tablespoon chickpea flour/besan
- 2 tablespoon ghee/butter/oil
- ½ tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- 2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 8 bamboo skewers soaked in water for 15 min
For Tempering:
- 2 tablespoon mustard oil / or any other cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
For Serving:
- 2 teaspoon chat masala
- Few lemon wedges
- 1 onion cut into thin slices
Instructions
Instructions for Air Fryer Cooking:
- On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
- In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
- Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
- Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
- Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 370*Carefully place the skewers in the air frying basket. Air fry for 7 min.
- Repeat step 6, until all the paneer and vegetables is cooked.
- Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!
Instructions for Convention Oven Cooking:
- On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
- In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
- Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
- Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
- Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
- Pre-heat the oven at 400*Arrange the skewers on a baking tray. Bake for 7 min. Switch to broil mode for 2 min to get the vegetables char.
- Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!
Instructions for Stove Top Cooking:
- On a medium heat, in a pan, add ghee, when the ghee melts add besan. Roast the besan for 2-3 min or until besan is lightly roasted. Turn off the heat.
- In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, and roasted besan. Wisk well.
- Add paneer, bell peppers, onion, mix well.
- Prepare the tempering, heat the oil in pan, when oil is hot, turn off the heat. Add turmeric powder. Pour this tempering over the paneer and vegetables mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate the marinated paneer for min of 30 min to an hour.
- Now using the bamboo skewers, arrange the paneer and vegetable pieces, alternating the pieces. Evenly distribute the paneer and vegetables on all the skewers.
- Heat a griddle/tava, spread some oil, place the skewers on the griddle and cook for 1 min on each side. Cook until the edges of the paneer and vegetables start to char slightly.
- Repeat step 6, until all the paneer and vegetables is cooked.
- Before serving, sprinkle some chat masala, some lemon juice and serve with some onion slices / onion lachcha. Enjoy!
Notes
- Please use the timings as a guideline, different types/brands of air fryer/convention oven function differently.
- Adjust the spiciness as per taste. Add less red chili powder, garam masala for a milder flavors.
- Variety of vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, zucchini (green/yellow) can also be added for a medley of tikkas/grilled veggies.
- Firm tofu can also be substituted instead of paneer for a healthier option.
- Mustard oil gives this dish a smoky flavor without using the tandoor/grill. You may use any other oil as well.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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