Emilie Meyer
Yes, you can cook paneer in the oven. It is an Indian cheese, similar to cottage cheese, that is made with curdled milk. Paneer is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in many ways, including grilling, frying, and baking. It is often used in Indian dishes such as paneer tikka, where it is marinated in spices and cooked in a tandoor oven. However, it can also be baked in a regular oven to create a quick and easy appetizer or snack. The oven-baked version is simple to make and yields delicious results.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 425°F-450°F (220°C-230°C) |
| Baking time | 5-10 minutes |
| Baking sheet lining | Parchment paper |
| Baking sheet contents | Paneer cubes, skewers |
| Marinade ingredients | Yogurt, ginger, garlic, lime, olive oil, red chilli powder, cumin, garam masala, paprika, cardamom, onion powder, salt, pepper |
| Garnish | Cilantro, lemon juice |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers, fruit, grilled vegetables, salad, fried egg, roti, chutney, rice |
| Nutrition (per serving) | 203-288 kcal, 5-11 g carbohydrates, 10-14 g protein, 16-24 g fat, 5-11 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 7 g monounsaturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat, 1-2 g fiber, 3-6 g sugar, 348-464 mg sodium, 102-164 mg potassium, 63-989 IU vitamin A, 2-30 mg vitamin C, 1-2 mg iron, 45 mg cholesterol |
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What You'll Learn
Oven-baked paneer tikka
Paneer is an Indian cheese, similar to cottage cheese, that is made with curdled milk. It has a mild flavour and does not melt easily, making it a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in an oven or air fryer.
Ingredients:
- Paneer
- Greek yogurt or thick curd
- Ginger-garlic paste
- Spices (such as red chilli powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper)
- Olive oil
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Lemon juice
Method:
- Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes and place them in a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the yogurt or curd, ginger-garlic paste, spices, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix well until each paneer cube is coated with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight for more intense flavour.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F or 450°F.
- Place the marinated paneer cubes on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer with some space between each cube.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flipping the cubes halfway through.
- Remove the paneer from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Serve warm with grilled vegetables, a salad, or fried egg on the side.
Feel free to experiment with different spices and ingredients to create your own unique flavour combinations!
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Oven temperature and timing
The oven temperature and timing for cooking paneer depend on the type of dish you are preparing. Here are some common methods:
Oven-Baked Paneer Tikka
For this recipe, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the paneer into cubes and marinate them in a mixture of yogurt, seasoning, garlic, ginger, and lime. Place the marinated paneer cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for a total of 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Roasted Paneer Cubes
To make roasted paneer cubes, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes and toss them with olive oil, spices, and seasonings. Spread the paneer cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
To achieve the authentic tandoori flavour, preheat your oven to 430 degrees Fahrenheit. Skewer the paneer cubes, alternating with onions, capsicum, and tomatoes. Place the skewers on a cooling rack set over a roasting pan and bake for 15 minutes, turning them once halfway. Then, switch on the broiler and broil for 2-3 minutes until the paneer is slightly charred.
Broiled Paneer
For a simple broiled paneer dish, set your broiler to low. Cut the paneer into slices, brush them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Sheet-Pan Paneer Tikka
For this recipe, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Marinate the paneer cubes and vegetables in a mixture of yogurt, ginger, garlic, oil, and spices. Spread the marinated paneer and vegetables on a sheet pan and bake until the edges of the paneer start to turn golden, about 8 minutes. Brush the paneer with melted ghee, turn on the broiler, and broil for 1-2 minutes until golden.
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Marinating the paneer
Paneer is a mild and milky Indian cheese that can be easily flavoured. It is often marinated before being cooked in the oven, to infuse it with flavour and make it soft and juicy.
To marinate the paneer, first cut the block of paneer into cubes of your desired size. Then, place the cubes in a bowl and add your chosen marinade ingredients. A traditional tandoori-style marinade would include thick yoghurt, besan (gram flour), and spices such as chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, kasuri methi, chaat masala, ginger, garlic, and salt. You could also add lemon or lime juice to the marinade to give it a tangy zest and to tenderise the paneer. Alternatively, for an authentic flavour, swap the lemon or lime juice for mustard oil.
Once you have added all your chosen ingredients to the bowl, mix them together thoroughly, ensuring that each paneer cube is coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for at least one hour, or overnight.
After the paneer has been marinating, you can cook it in the oven. However, it is important to note that paneer can easily dry out when cooked, so be careful not to overcook it.
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Spices and seasonings
Paneer is a soft cheese that doesn't melt when heated, making it ideal for roasting in the oven. It has a mild flavour, so it's a great base for absorbing spices and seasonings.
A popular way to cook paneer in the oven is to make paneer tikka, a traditional Indian dish. This involves marinating the paneer in a yoghurt-based mixture with various spices, such as chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, and chaat masala. The paneer is then threaded onto skewers and baked in the oven until golden.
You can also experiment with different spices and seasonings to find a combination that suits your taste. Some other popular spices and seasonings used in paneer recipes include cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, salt, and tandoori seasoning.
Additionally, you can try marinating the paneer in curd or yogurt, which will add a tangy flavour to the dish. If you want a creamier texture, you can use hung curd, which is thicker and richer.
Another option is to simply drizzle olive oil or another cooking oil over the paneer cubes and sprinkle them with your desired spices and seasonings before roasting them in the oven. This method allows for more creativity and flexibility in terms of flavour profiles.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve oven-cooked paneer. One popular option is to make paneer tikka, a yogurt and spice-marinated paneer that is traditionally cooked in a clay oven with onions and peppers. You can also make oven-baked paneer tikka by skipping the onions and peppers and using a regular oven. Serve this as a snack with crackers and fruit, or add some peppers and onions and serve over basmati rice. You could also try skewering and grilling the paneer for a smokier flavour.
Paneer is also commonly served with grilled vegetables, a salad, or with a fried egg—dipping the paneer cubes in the egg yolk is said to be delicious. You can also serve it with mint chutney, onion, and lemon wedges, or over naan bread with a drizzle of mint chutney.
For a restaurant-style flavour, place a small steel bowl in the serving plate and burn a piece of wood charcoal on direct fire until it is red hot. Keep it in the bowl and pour over a small amount of ghee. It should begin to smoke. Cover with foil and let it smoke for 5 to 6 minutes.
Paneer can also be used in curries, as skewers, in wraps, or in a tandoori paneer tikka recipe marinated with plain Greek yoghurt.
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Frequently asked questions
Paneer is an Indian cheese, similar to cottage cheese, that is made with curdled milk. It is high in acid, which prevents it from melting.
Cut the paneer into cubes and marinate in a mixture of olive oil, spices, and yogurt. Then, place the paneer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 425°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Oven-baked paneer goes well with grilled vegetables, a salad, or a fried egg. You can also serve it with rice, roti, or naan.
