Tillie Doyle
Paneer tikka is a popular Indian vegetarian dish, often served as an appetizer. It is made with chunks of paneer marinated in a spiced yogurt mixture, then threaded onto skewers with bell peppers and onions and cooked until slightly charred. This dish can be cooked in an air fryer, oven, grill, or on a stovetop. The air fryer method is incredibly convenient and gives the paneer a crispy exterior and soft interior.
How to cook Paneer Tikka in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Paneer, Yogurt, Oil, Lime/Lemon Juice, Besan Flour, Ginger, Garlic, Spices, Bell Peppers, Onions, Bamboo/Wooden/Metal Skewers |
| Marinade | Yogurt, Oil, Lime/Lemon Juice, Besan Flour, Ginger, Garlic, Spices |
| Preparation | Cut paneer, peppers, and onions into chunks/cubes. Combine marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add paneer, peppers, and onions to marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight. Thread paneer, peppers, and onions onto skewers, alternating. |
| Cooking | Preheat air fryer to 360°F–390°F (180°C–200°C). Brush or spray skewers with oil. Place in air fryer basket, leaving space between each. Cook for 5 minutes, then turn skewers, brush with oil, and cook for another 2–5 minutes. |
| Serving | Serve with mint/green chutney, lime/lemon juice, cilantro, ginger lemonade, cumin rice, cucumber salad, parathas, or naan. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the marinade
Once you've gathered your chosen ingredients, it's time to mix them together. Combine the yogurt, spices, and any additional ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk or stir the mixture until it reaches a smooth and consistent texture. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences, creating a marinade that is either mild or packed with a punch of flavour.
Before adding the paneer to the marinade, it's important to prepare the cheese correctly. Cut the paneer into cubes or steaks, aiming for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. If you're using frozen paneer, be sure to thaw it completely before proceeding. You can do this by leaving it in the refrigerator overnight, or at room temperature, or even in warm water for about an hour. Once the paneer is ready, gently coat each piece with the marinade, being careful not to break the delicate cheese.
After the paneer is well-coated, it's time to let the marinade work its magic. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse the paneer. If you have the time, you can even leave it overnight, resulting in deeper, more intense flavours. While the paneer is marinating, remember to soak your bamboo or wooden skewers in water, especially if you plan to use them for serving.
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Preparing the paneer
Next, prepare the marinade. In a bowl, combine plain yoghurt, oil, ginger-garlic paste, and spices such as garam masala, tandoori masala, or chilli powder. You can also add lemon or lime juice for extra flavour and colour. Additionally, some recipes suggest adding gram (besan) flour to the marinade, which helps it stick to the paneer and gives it a crispier texture. Mix the ingredients until you have a smooth, well-combined marinade.
Now, it's time to coat the paneer with the marinade. Place the paneer cubes in a dish and gently pour the marinade over them, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Be careful when handling the paneer to avoid breaking the cubes. You can use a brush to gently coat the paneer with the marinade. Once the paneer is well-coated, cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the paneer to marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavours. For deeper flavours, you can even marinate it overnight.
After the paneer has finished marinating, it's time to thread the pieces onto skewers. If you prefer, you can skip the skewers and cook the paneer directly in the air fryer basket. However, skewers add a nice presentation to the dish. When using skewers, alternate the paneer cubes with chunks of bell peppers, onions, or other vegetables of your choice. Leave some space between each piece on the skewer to ensure even cooking.
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Preparing the skewers
Once your ingredients are prepared, it is time to make the marinade. In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, oil, lime or lemon juice, besan flour, ginger, garlic, and spices. You can use a simple blend of tandoori masala and garam masala, or be more adventurous with spices like cumin or coriander. Add the paneer, peppers, and onions to the marinade, ensuring everything is well coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for a deeper flavour.
While the paneer is marinating, remember to soak your bamboo or wooden skewers. Soaking will prevent them from burning during the cooking process. You can also use metal skewers, but these are more suitable for outdoor grilling. Once the marinating and soaking are complete, it is time to assemble the skewers. Thread the ingredients onto the skewers, alternating between a cube of paneer and a few slices of pepper and onion. Try to make each skewer as similar as possible for even cooking.
Now your skewers are ready for the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Place the prepared skewers inside the basket, leaving a small gap between each one. Brush or spray the skewers with oil to prevent drying, and they are ready to cook!
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Cooking in the air fryer
Paneer tikka can be cooked in an air fryer, oven, or grill. The air fryer method ensures crisp, golden edges, but the cooking time is longer since you have to cook the skewers in batches.
First, prepare the paneer tikka marinade by mixing together yogurt, dry spices, ginger-garlic paste, lemon or lime juice, and, optionally, gram flour (besan) or food colouring. Cut the paneer into 1/2-inch to 2-inch thick pieces and add to the marinade. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.
Next, prepare the skewers by alternating paneer, peppers, and onions. If you don't have skewers, you can place the marinated paneer and veggies directly in the air fryer basket. Remember not to overcrowd the basket and spray with oil before cooking.
Preheat the air fryer to between 360°F and 390°F (180°C to 200°C). Place the skewers in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Then, turn the skewers, brush or spray with oil, and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes. The paneer tikka is ready when it is slightly charred and has golden, crispy edges.
Serve with mint or green chutney, lemon or lime juice, and sliced onions.
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Serving suggestions
Paneer tikka is a popular North Indian dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main meal. Here are some serving suggestions for this delicious and versatile dish:
Appetizer
Paneer tikka makes a great vegetarian appetizer and can be served in a variety of ways. One option is to simply squeeze fresh lemon over the skewers and enjoy with a chutney, such as mint, coriander, or green chutney, and a refreshing glass of chilled ginger lemonade. You can also serve it with onion and lemon wedges on the side. For an extra smoky flavor, you can smoke the paneer tikka with a hot charcoal after grilling.
Main Course
Paneer tikka can be served as a main meal in several ways. One option is to serve it with a side of cumin rice and a crunchy cucumber salad. You can also wrap the cooked paneer and peppers in homemade parathas or serve them over warm, pillowy naan. For a low-carb option, try serving the paneer tikka over cumin or lemon cauliflower rice. It also goes well with a glass of mango lassi.
Creative Serving Ideas
Paneer tikka is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of creative ways. You can use it as a filling in vegetarian kathi rolls or add the cooked paneer and veggies to a creamy sauce for a delicious paneer tikka masala. It can also be added to wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, or even fusion fried rice.
Sides and Condiments
In addition to the above suggestions, there are several side dishes and condiments that pair well with paneer tikka. These include mango-based chutney, red chili chutney, and a glass of mango lassi or chilled ginger lemonade.
Crowd-Pleasing Options
If you are serving a large crowd, it is recommended to use the oven method instead of the air fryer, as the cooking time is longer with the air fryer since you have to cook the skewers in batches. Using two baking sheets in the oven can help shorten the cooking time.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) or 390°F (200°C).
It takes 8-13 minutes to cook paneer tikka in an air fryer.
Combine yogurt, oil, lime or lemon juice, gram (besan) flour, ginger, garlic, spices, and salt in a mixing bowl.
