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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    Paneer Tikka

    Published: Jan 26, 2021 · Modified: Dec 22, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 7 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe

    With chunks of paneer, crunchy sweet peppers, and onions marinated in yogurt and warm spices and cooked to perfection, Paneer Tikka makes for the best Indian appetizer. Traditionally the skewers are is cooked in a tandoor oven. But here is my EASY and simple version that can be cooked in an air fryer or an oven in just 10 minutes.

    paneer tikka served with chutney and naan
    Jump to:
    • What is Paneer Tikka
    • Airfryer Paneer Tikka
    • Ingredients
    • Tips
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Serving
    • Storing
    • Recipe

    What is Paneer Tikka

    Paneer tikka is a popular North Indian appetizer. The pillowy soft cubed paneer is threaded onto skewers between pieces of sweet and crunchy onions and peppers. These skewers are then cooked in a Tandoor (clay oven) until slightly charred and smokey.

    The luscious tandoori paneer tikka with spicy cilantro chutney makes for a delicious Indian appetizer. I also like to serve it over rice or warm naan for a hearty vegetarian meal.

    My EASY restaurant-style Paneer Tikka sticks recipe with authentic North Indian flavors uses modern cooking techniques. It uses warm spices like turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala.

    Airfryer Paneer Tikka

    Air Fryer is a great appliance for a lot of Indian cooking. Recipes like paneer tikka need dry heat and the air fryer achieve that perfect texture and flavor in no time. Don't have an air fryer? No worries! I will show you how to make paneer tikka in the oven or on an outdoor or stovetop grill. Simply scroll down to the recipe card notes section.

    Ingredients

    Here are some of the key ingredients:

    • Paneer - Use good quality paneer. I love Gopi brand paneer. It's available at Indian grocery stores, whole foods, and Costco.
    • Yogurt - Use plain full-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt for a thick creamy marinade.
    • Chili Powder - Many restaurants use food coloring in their Tandoori dishes. I like adding mild Kashmiri red chili powder that gives the final dish a beautiful orange hue without too much heat.
    • Garam Masala - Fresh Homemade garam masala elevates the flavors of this tandoori paneer tikka dish
    • Dried Fenugreek Leaves - Also known as Kasoori methi often used in North Indian dishes. This dry hern is not the same as fenugreek seeds or powder. If you don't have the dried leaves simply skip them as there is no substitute
    • Smoked Paprika - I love the added smokey flavors to the tikka bites.
    • Chat Masala - This tangy and hot spice mix has black sea salt as its main ingredient. Simply sprinkle a few pinches as a garnish just before serving for a boost of flavor
    paneer tikka with chutney

    Tips

    Here are my pro tips for the best-tasting and EASY paneer tikka recipe:

    • Marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for deep flavors
    • If using frozen paneer, make sure to thaw it completely before marinating. To thaw the paneer simply keep it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also keep it at room temperature or in warm water for an hour
    • Pat dry the paneer to remove any excess moisture. Also, dry the peppers well before cutting them so there is no excess moisture in the marinade. Traditionally onions and mixed peppers are used in this recipe. But feel free to use other veggies like mushrooms or zucchini that taste delicious with paneer
    • To reheat the paneer tikka simple, place it back in the air fryer basket and cook for 2 minutes at 360 F
    paneer tikka skewers served with chutney

    Variations

    • I like to use small wooden skewers when serving as an appetizer or entertaining.
    • I use the stainless steel skewers when making this as a main meal and place them over the skewer rack, which allows better airflow and no need to flip them after 5 minutes. The stainless steel skewers and rack are part of the Cosori accessory set.
    • You can also make paneer tikka without the skewers. Simply place the marinated paneer and peppers directly in the air fryer basket, just remember not to overcrowd it and spray the basket with oil before.

    Instructions

    Step 1: Make the flavor bomb tandoori marinade. Mix together yogurt, dry spices, and lemon juice.

    marinade for paneer tikka

    Step 2: Marinate the Cubed Paneer and peppers

    marinated paneer and veggies

    Step 3: Thread into skewers & Air Fry at 360°F (180° C) for 8 minutes

    paneer tikka skewers in air fryer basket

    Enjoy hot!

    air fried paneer tikka skewers in a black plate

    Serving

    To serve as an appetizer, simply squeeze fresh lemon over the skewers and enjoy with green chutney and a glass of chilled ginger lemonade.

    To serve as a main meal, serve over cumin rice and a side of crunchy cucumber salad. You can even wrap the cooked pieces of panner and peppers in homemade parathas or serve over warm pillowy naan and a glass of mango lassi.

    To serve as a low-carb meal, serve the paneer tikka over cumin cauliflower rice or lemon cauliflower rice.

    You can also use the paneer tikka as a filling in my popular vegetarian Kathi roll recipe or simply add the cooked paneer and veggies to the creamy sauce for a delicious paneer tikka masala recipe.

    paneer skewers served with naan and mint chutney

    Storing

    • Paneer tikka skewers are best when enjoyed hot. When they cool down too much the paneer can sometimes become dry, so to reheat simply place the skewers back in the air fryer basket and reheat for 2 to 3 minutes at 360 degrees F
    • Marinated paneer can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours
    • The cooked paneer will stay well refrigerated for up to 3 days

    Did you enjoy this quick and easy recipe? Here are more Indian recipes to try:

    • Pav Bhaji
    • Chicken Tikka Kebob
    • Salmon Skewers
    • Tandoori Chicken
    • Indian Spiced Chicken Wings

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    panner tikka sticks served with naan and chutney
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    5 from 4 votes

    Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

    Indian appetizer with chunks of paneer, crunchy sweet peppers, and onions marinated in yogurt and warm spices and cooked to perfection
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Marinate Time30 mins
    Total Time53 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 196kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Wooden skewers
    • Air Fryer Accesories

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup plain yogurt full fat
    • ½ tablespoon ginger paste
    • ½ tablespoon garlic paste
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon chat masala optional
    • 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
    • 1 pound paneer cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 medium green pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 medium red pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 medium red onion cut into 1-inch cubes

    Instructions

    • In a medium-sized bowl add yogurt, ginger, garlic, turmeric, salt, red chili powder, garam masala, and chat masala. Crush the dried fenugreek leaves on the palm of your hands and add them to the bowl. Add lemon juice and mix all the ingredients to make the marinade.
    • Add paneer, peppers, and onions to the marinade and mix everything together coating the paneer and veggies well with the marinade.
    • Cover the bowl and allow it to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
    • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10 minutes which prevents them from burning while in the air fryer.
    • When ready to cook, lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Line the skewers 4 to 5 skewers inside the basket and spray over lightly with oil. Cook for 5 minutes at 360°F (180° C). Turn the skewers, spray lightly with oil and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
    • Serve immediately with chutney fresh lemon wedges.

    Video

    Notes

    Oven & Grill Instructions:
    1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line the skewers on a baking rack and place the rack on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes. For slightly charred edges, finish the cooking by broiling the skewers on high for 2 minutes. 
    2. To cook on an outdoor or stovetop grill, preheat the grill. You may line the outdoor grill with aluminum foil to prevent the paneer from sticking. Brush the grill with some oil and place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 476mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 959IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 304mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Swapna Dsilva says

      February 16, 2021 at 4:20 pm

      Hello MOC,
      Can this recipe be done with firm Tofu?

      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 16, 2021 at 10:11 pm

        yes! Extra-firm tofu will be great!

        Reply
    2. Kendra Smart says

      March 05, 2021 at 9:49 am

      In the first step of instructions it mentions ginger and garlic, but I don't see it in the ingredient list...how much of each? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 06, 2021 at 10:24 pm

        Good catch! I have fixed it - 1/2 tablespoon each of ginger and garlic paste. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Kendra says

          March 07, 2021 at 5:45 pm

          Great, thank you! Making this for dinner tonight 🙂

          Reply
    3. julie k says

      May 13, 2022 at 8:11 am

      My family loves this with frozen naan bread, a simple raita and some jarred chutney. Thus it's a simple fallback pantry meal for me since I keep all these things around.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 13, 2022 at 8:55 am

        Thank you for the lovely feedback!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

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