Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza

Name: Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup paneer ((cut into small cubes)); 2 tablespoons hung curd ((or greek yogurt)); 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste; 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garam masala; salt (to taste); 2 Naan bread ((store-bought or homemade)); 2 teaspoons oil; 1/2 cup pizza sauce ((or marinara sauce)); 3/4-1 cup mozzarella (grated); 1/4 cup red onions (thinly sliced); 1/4 cup bell pepper (thinly sliced); 10 grape tomatoes (cut into half); 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)

Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza is a classic twist made with Indian Naan bread, marinated paneer, and veggies like red onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes in an Air Fryer or Oven. A perfect fusion of Indian and Italian cuisines, making it a satisfying and delectable meal.

tandoori paneer naan pizza served on a sheet with coriander leaves on the side

Naan is a type of Indian flatbread that is crispy from the outside, soft from the inside, and best served with curries like dal makhani, paneer butter masala, navratan korma, and more.

In this blog post, we thought of giving this quintessential North Indian bread an Italian twist. Yes, you heard it right! Today, I am sharing a delicious amalgamation of paneer, naan, and cheese recipe. It is called Paneer Naanza. Give this a try for your next party at home or as a delicious after-school snack for your kids. It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

If you like this recipe, check out more Indian Snack Recipes

Jump to:

What Is Tandoori Paneer Naanza?
Ingredients
How to Make Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza
How to Make Indian Naan Pizza in the Oven
Serving Suggestions
Topping Variations
Storage Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
More Indian Air Fryer Recipes
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza

What Is Tandoori Paneer Naanza?

This fusion dish combines the rich flavors of Indian tandoori paneer with the cheesy goodness of pizza, all on a naan base. It's wonderfully crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Plus, using naan makes it much quicker and easier than preparing a pizza base from scratch.

Ingredients

Naan Bread: These are Indian flatbreads. You can use homemade or store-bought regular or flavored Naan. I like Deep Brand frozen garlic naans. You can easily find them in Indian grocery stores. Naans are also available in Trader Joe's, Costco, etc. I also like Stonefire Naan Breads.
Olive Oil: is used for lightly brushing the naan base. It helps to add flavor and prevents the naan crust from getting soggy.
Sauce: Use either pizza sauce or marinara sauce. Suppose you don't have either; use tomato ketchup. Sometimes, I like to use Makhani sauce as the base.
Cheese: Use shredded mozzarella or any cheese you prefer.
Tandoori Paneer: I have marinated paneer cubes (Indian cottage cheese) in a marinade made of hung curd (or Greek yogurt), ginger-garlic paste, and a few spices. Suppose you don't have time; you can skip the marinade and just add paneer as a topping. You can also use premade paneer tikka in this recipe.
Vegetable Toppings: I used red onions, bell pepper, and grape tomatoes.
Fresh Cilantro: adds a great herbal flavor. You can also use chopped parsley.

How to Make Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza

In a small mixing bowl, add 2 tablespoons hung curd (or Greek yogurt), 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, and salt. Mix well.

Then add ½ cup paneer cubes and mix well such that paneer cubes are coated well. Keep it aside.

step to prepare the tandoori paneer marinade collage

Place the garlic naan bread on a parchment paper or pizza stone. Lightly brush the naan with some olive oil.

Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce or marinara sauce over the naan. Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

Add your favorite toppings. I added veggies like red onions, bell peppers, and grape tomatoes, followed by marinated paneer. Then top it with some chopped cilantro.

step to add the toppings to the naan pizza collage

Firstly, Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C). Place the naan pizza in the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 350°F (176°C) for 8-10 minutes or until the edges look crisp and the cheese has melted.

Let the tandoori paneer naan pizza cool slightly, and then cut it into slices and enjoy!

How to Make Indian Naan Pizza in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and place the naan pizza on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes or until the edges look crisp and the cheese has melted.

Serving Suggestions

Serve naan pizza hot with other finger foods like chips, french fries, air fryer roasted veggies, and sriracha mayo dip.

It can be a great option for kids' lunches or as an after-school snack.

Topping Variations

Here are a few vegetable topping ideas to consider

Mushrooms
Sweet corn
Sliced jalapenos
Olives

Storage Suggestions

Naan pizza is best when enjoyed fresh. However, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.

When you are to serve, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Naan And Pizza dough the same?

No, they are not the same! Both of the dishes require different ingredients and flavors.
Naan is an Indian flatbread made with flour, yogurt, and yeast, often cooked in a tandoor (clay oven), while pizza dough is an Italian dough made with flour, water, and yeast and typically baked in an oven.

How to make Naan Pizza on Tawa?

Step 1: Heat a griddle (tawa) on medium heat.
Step 2: Place naan on the tawa and let it cook for a few seconds.
Step 3: Flip it over and spread pizza sauce along with the cheese and toppings.
Step 4: Cover the tawa with a lid and let the cheese melt.
Step 5: Enjoy!

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