Tandoori Paneer Tikka is a delicious Indian vegetarian appetizer popular at restaurants, parties and BBQs. Cubes of paneer, bell peppers and onion marinated in combination of yogurt and spices, threaded on to skewers and cooked. Air-fryer, baking, grilling, and stovetop pan instructions included.
What is Paneer Tikka?
Paneer Tikka is a popular Indian dish made from cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), bell peppers, onions that have been marinated in a spicy yogurt marinade and then roasted in a clay oven also known as Tandoor traditionally. However, BBQ grill, oven, air fryer, or stovetop skillet works well too.
Today I am sharing how to make paneer tikka in an air fryer. If you don't have one, you can also make it in the oven, grill, or stovetop pan/skillet.
Paneer Tikka Ingredients
- Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) - Is the key ingredient so use a good quality paneer. Homemade fresh paneer works best else you can easily find paneer at nearby Indian grocery stores or Costco. I personaly love Verka Paneer brand.
- Vegetables: I have used three colored bell peppers and red onion cut into cubes. You may also use vegetables like mushroom, zucchini.
- Yogurt - Use plain full fat hung curd or Greek yogurt for a thick creamy marinade.
- Gram Flour - also known as besan is added to help paneer and veggies to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan. I roast it slightly in a pan on a low heat until fragrant and brown, cool and use. If you don't have besan then use corn flour or all purpose flour.
- Ginger and garlic: Mince them finely or use paste.
- Spices: I have used turmeric, kashmiri red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala (or tandoori masala), chat masala and salt.
- Oil: I used olive oil for cooking.
- Dried fenugreek leaves - Also known as Kasuri methi gives a nice flavor to the dish. If you don't have it simply skip it.
- Lemon juice: use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Cilantro (coriander leaves): for garnish
How to Make Paneer Tikka
In a large bowl add hung curd, besan, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chaat masala, kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, oil, and mix everything together.
Add the paneer, bell peppers, and onion. Toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 10 minutes which prevents them from burning while in the air fryer, oven or grilling.
Take a skewer, gently thread paneer, bell peppers and onion on a skewer, alternating with each other. Similarly prepare the remaining screwers.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Arrange all the prepared skewers inside the basket ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the paneer and veggies don't dry out.
Cook for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C). After 5 minutes, turn the skewers, lightly spray or brush with oil and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve it immediately with mint chutney.
How to Make Paneer Tikka in the Oven & Grill
Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange all the prepared skewers ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the veggies don't dry out. Bake for 10 minutes and then broil the skewers on high for 2 to 3 minutes to get slightly charred edges.
Outdoor Grill: Preheat the grill. Line the outdoor grill with aluminum foil to prevent the paneer from sticking. Arrange all the prepared skewers ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the veggies don't dry out. Cook for 10-12 minutes, by turning halfway through.
How to Make Paneer Tikka on Stovetop
You can make this paneer tikka on the stove-top even if you don't have an air fryer, oven or grill. A stovetop grill pan or even a tawa or pan will work.
Heat the pan or tawa over medium-high heat, brush or spray some oil on the pan first. Then arrange all the prepared skewers in a single layer. Again lightly brush or spray some oil on the top. Cook from both sides until it turns golden brown in color.
Serving Suggestions
Serve tandoori paneer tikka with
- green chutney
- onion slices
- lemon wedges
- and a glass of mango lassi
Storage Suggestion
It tastes the best if served straight from the air fryer or oven. However, you can refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing.
Tips
- Marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes or few hours for so they absorb more flavors from the marinade.
- Don't overcook the paneer else it will get chewy, dry and hard.
- If you see your paneer tikka becoming dry, then brush some oil on them to retain the moisture.
- Highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade, this step ensures that the besan would help paneer to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
- Cut the paneer and veggies same size, this helps for quick and even cooking.
- Make sure to line the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each other. Work in batches if needed.
Variations
- I like to use wooden skewers when serving paneer tikka as an appetizer during a party or BBQ. You may also use stainless steel skewers.
- If you do not have skewers, you can place the marinated paneer and veggies directly on the air fryer basket and cook. Make sure not to overcrowd and just spray some oil before cooking.
- If you don't have gram flour (besan) then use chickpea flour, corn starch or all-purpose flour instead.
- For a vegan-friendly version, swap paneer for tofu, vegan-friendly yogurt and follow the same process.
- To make Keto-friendly version, skip the besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
More Paneer Recipes
- Restaurant Style Paneer Butter Masala
- Paneer Jalfrezi
- Matar Paneer
- Paneer Biryani
- Paneer Bhurji
- Broccoli Paneer Mayo Sandwich
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air fryer Tandoori Gobi
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Masala Peanuts
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Corn Fritters
- Beetroot Cutlet
Paneer Tikka - Air Fryer/ Oven/ Grill
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
Tikka Masala Marinade
- ½ cup hung curd (or greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon besan/gram flour (or chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (or tandoori masala powder)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt to taste
Other Ingredients
- 300 grams paneer (about 2 cups) cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1-2 medium bell peppers (mix of green, red, and yellow) cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium red onion cut into 1-inch cubes
Garnish
- lemon wedges to serve
- onion slices to serve
- chaat masala to sprinkle
- green chutney
Instructions
Marinade
- In a large bowl add hung curd, besan, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chaat masala, kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, oil, and mix everything together.Add the paneer, bell peppers and onion. Toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 10 minutes which prevents them from burning while in the air fryer, oven or grilling.Take a skewer, gently thread paneer, bell peppers and onion on a skewer, alternating with each other. Similarly prepare the remaining screwers.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C). Arrange all the prepared skewers inside the basket ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the paneer and veggies don't dry out.
- Cook for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C). After 5 minutes, turn the skewers, lightly spray or brush with oil and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve it immediately with mint chutney.
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange all the prepared skewers ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the veggies don't dry out. Bake for 10 minutes and then broil the skewers on high for 2 to 3 minutes to get slightly charred edges.
Grill Method
- Preheat the grill. Line the outdoor grill with aluminum foil to prevent the paneer from sticking. Arrange all the prepared skewers ½-inch apart in a single layer. Brush or spray some oil on the top, this ensures the veggies don't dry out. Cook for 10-12 minutes, by turning halfway through.
Stovetop
- You can make this paneer tikka on stove-top even if you don't have an air fryer, oven or a grill. A stovetop grill pan or even a tawa or pan will work.Heat the pan or tawa over medium high heat, brush or spray some oil on the pan first. Then arrange all the prepared skewers in a single layer. Again lightly brush or spray some oil on the top. Cook from both sides until it’s turns golden brown in color.
Notes
Tips
- Marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes or few hours so they absorb more flavors from the marinade.
- Don't overcook the paneer else it will get chewy, dry, and hard.
- If you see your paneer tikka becoming dry, then brush some oil on them to retain the moisture.
- Highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade, this step ensures that the besan would help the paneer to coat well and not stick to the air fryer basket/pan.
- Cut the paneer and veggies the same size, this helps for quick and even cooking.
- Make sure to line the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving some space between each other. Work in batches if needed.
Variations
- I like to use wooden skewers when serving paneer tikka as an appetizer during a party or BBQ. You may also use stainless steel skewers.
- If you do not have skewers, you can place the marinated paneer and veggies directly on the air fryer basket and cook. Make sure not to overcrowd and just spray some oil before cooking.
- If you don't have gram flour (besan) then use a chickpea flour, corn starch, or all-purpose flour instead.
- For a vegan-friendly version, swap paneer for tofu, vegan-friendly yogurt and follow the same process.
- To make a Keto-friendly version, skip the besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
Nutrition
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