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Home » Recipes » Appetizer & Snacks

Paneer Tikka - Air Fryer/ Oven/ Grill

Published: Aug 25, 2021 · Modified: May 23, 2022 by Bhavana Patil ·This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Tandoori Paneer Tikka is a delicious Indian vegetarian appetizer popular at restaurants, parties, and BBQs. Cubes of paneer, bell peppers, and onion are marinated with yogurt and spices, threaded onto skewers, and cooked. Air-fryer, baking, grilling, oven, and stovetop pan instructions included for paneer tikka recipe.

tandoori paneer tikka prepared in air fryer lined on a plate with green chutney , lemon and onions on the side

What is Paneer Tikka?

Paneer Tikka is a popular Indian dish made from cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), bell peppers, and onions marinated in a spicy yogurt marinade and then roasted in clay oven, also known as Tandoor traditionally. However, BBQ grill, oven, air fryer, or stovetop skillet works well.

Today I am sharing how to make a paneer tikka recipe in an air fryer. You can also make it in the oven, grill, or stovetop pan/skillet if you don't have one.

Paneer Tikka Ingredients

You will need the following main ingredients to make the Paneer tikka recipe.

  • Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) - is the key ingredient, so use good quality paneer. Homemade fresh paneer works best; otherwise, 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 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: Either use freshly minced or 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 skip it.
  • Lemon juice: use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • Cilantro (coriander leaves): for garnish.

How to Make Paneer Tikka

Add hung curd, besan, ginger-garlic paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala, chaat masala, kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, oil in a large bowl and mix everything.

Then 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.

step to prepare the marinade and add the paneer and vegetables collage

Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 10 minutes, preventing them from burning 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.

paneer tikka lined on a plate

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, ensuring the paneer and veggies don't dry out.

paneer tikka in skewers arranged on a air fryer basket

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.

cottage cheese on a basket

Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala, and immediately serve air fryer paneer tikka with mint chutney.

air fryer paneer tikka held in a hand

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 paneer and 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, ensuring the paneer and veggies don't dry out. Cook for 10-12 minutes by turning halfway through.

How to Make Paneer Tikka on Stovetop Pan

You can make this paneer tikka recipe on the stovetop 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 some oil on the top. Cook from both sides until it turns golden brown.

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 it in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing.

tandoori paneer tikka prepared in air fryer lined on a plate with green chutney , lemon and onions on the side

Tips

  • Marinate the paneer for at least 30 minutes or a 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.
  • I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade. Besan flour helps the marinade to stick well onto the paneer and make it crispier.
  • Cut the paneer and veggies the same size. It 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.
  • You can place the marinated paneer and veggies directly on the air fryer basket and cook if you do not have skewers. Make sure not to overcrowd and spray some oil before cooking.
  • If you don't have gram flour (besan), use chickpea flour, corn starch, or all-purpose flour instead.
  • Swap paneer for tofu for a vegan-friendly version, use vegan-friendly yogurt, and follow the same process.
  • To make a 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

  • Onion Pakoda
  • Air fryer Tandoori Gobi
  • Air Fryer Tandoori Broccoli
  • Masala Peanuts
  • Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
  • Tandoori Aloo
  • Beetroot Cutlet
Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below
tandoori paneer tikka prepared in air fryer lined on a plate with green chutney , lemon and onions on the side

Paneer Tikka - Air Fryer/ Oven/ Grill

Bhavana Patil
Tandoori Paneer Tikka recipe is a Indian appetizer where paneer & vegetables are marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in air fryer, oven.
4.78 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Calories : 293
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten-Free, Keto, Low Carb
Method: Air Fryer, Oven, Stovetop
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 10 minutes
Resting Time : 30 minutes
Total Time : 50 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer

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.
      step to prepare the marinade and add the paneer and vegetables collage
    • 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.
      paneer tikka lined on a plate

    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.
      paneer tikka in skewers arranged on a air fryer basket
    • 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.
      cottage cheese on a basket
    • Remove in a serving plate, squeeze some lime juice, sprinkle chaat masala and serve it immediately with mint chutney.
      tandoori paneer tikka prepared in air fryer lined on a plate with green chutney , lemon and onions on the side

    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 Pan

    • 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 a 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.
    • I highly recommend adding besan (gram flour) to the marinade. Besan flour helps the marinade to stick well onto the paneer and make it crispier.
    • Cut the paneer and veggies the same size. It 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.
    • You can place the marinated paneer and veggies directly on the air fryer basket and cook if you do not have skewers. Make sure not to overcrowd and spray some oil before cooking.
    • If you don't have gram flour (besan), use a chickpea flour, corn starch, or all-purpose flour instead.
    • Swap paneer for tofu for a vegan-friendly version, use vegan-friendly yogurt and follow the same process.
    • To make a Keto-friendly version, skip the besan (gram flour) in this recipe.
     
    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 14gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 264IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 402mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword air fryer paneer tikka, paneer tikka, tandoori paneer tikka
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