Quick easy and simple Paneer Pakora Recipe to serve for tea time or parties. Paneer Pakoda is one of the most popular North Indian Snack which is relished as breakfast or served with tea for evening snack or during tea time. It is also a popular snack for parties and is a crowd pleaser.
Paneer Pakoda is a basically a deep fried snack made with Paneer or Indian Cottage Cheese, coated in besan/gram flour batter then deep fried and served with spicy chutneys or ketchup.
Here I bring you 2 ways of making Paneer Pakoras. One is making pakoras with spice coated Paneer cubes and then coating and batter. And, another Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora with spicy chutney layered in between paneer layers, then coating in besan batter and deep frying till light golden brown and crispy.
What is Pakora and Paneer Pakoda
In India we have so many different Pakora varieties. Pakora is a deep fried snack made with vegetables, paneer coated in spiced gram flour or chickpea flour batter(besan). We make pakoras even poultry(egg, chicken), fish or any other meats.
Paneer Pakoda is made with Paneer or Indian Cottage Cheese, coated in besan/gram flour batter then deep fried and served with spicy chutneys or ketchup.
These deep fried snacks are very popular in monsoon/rainy season and chilly winters in North India. Though the deep fried stuff is not good on regular basis but when consumed during monsoons or winters in moderation it is good for body and immune system.
Nowadays we can make no oil or low oil versions and everyone prefers that too but once in a while deep fried is always welcome change and every one relishes it to the core!!
You will love these Paneer Pakoras as these are
- A good filling protein rich snack for Vegetarians
- It is Gluten-free and Keto friendly
- A quick and easy starter to make when guests come unannounced.
- A perfect party starter and crowd pleaser.
Ingredients to make Paneer Pakora
Paneer- Take soft but firm paneer to make pakoras. It should be fresh and not crumble when coated in batter. Make it at home or use store bought.
Spices to coat Paneer Cubes
Red Chilli Powder, Chaat Masala, Salt, Dried Fenugreek Leaves.
For Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora
Click on the link here to make Spicy Green Coriander Chutney
Do not use very watery chutney for the recipe as the water will leak out and the pakoras will not out nice.
You can try other options as well.. Schezwan Chutney or Garlic chutney, or even Basil Pesto.
For Besan/Gram Flour Batter
Besan or Gram Flour- Many people call besan as chickpea flour. But it is made by grinding with split gram lentils. Call it Gram Flour or Chickpea Flour use a good quality brand.
Rice Flour- Adding Rice flour makies pakros more crisp. You can skip it if you want.
Spices- Salt, Red Chilli Powder, Caraway Seeds(Ajwain). You can also add a pinch of asafoetida.
Optional- Dried Fenugreek Seeds/Kasuri Methi, ginger garlic paste. I love adding these to the besan batter, enhances the taste of the outer covering.
Oil to deep fry pakora.
How to make Paneer Pakora
Prepare the batter. Mix besan with other ingredients listed under the Batter making section. Add water to make batter.The consistency of the batter should not be very thin or thick as it will spoil the texture of the pakoras.
Mia all the ingredients with besan under Make Batter section Make a smooth lump free batter
To make simple Spiced Paneer Pakora, cut paneer in bite sized cubes. You can also cut in smal rectangles.
In a mixing bowl add paneer cubes. Add all the spices listed under the Spices to Coat Paneer Cubes section. Mix well coating all the paneer cubes in spices very nicely.
Then add the cubes to besan batter, dip nicely coating the cubes with batter and then deep fry in hot oil.
Add paneer and all the ingredients under the marinate paneer section Coat the cubes nicely in the spices Add marinated cubes to batter Coat the cubes nicely in batter Fry paneer cubes in hot oil Fry till golden brown in color and take out on a paper towel
To make Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora
To make Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora, cut paneer in squares or triangles. Check the video for the same. Then spread the chutney on one of the piece. Cover it with another piece.
Carefully dip the pakoras, in batter and then deep fry in hot oil till golden brown in color.
Cut paneer in thin layers Spread Chutney on slices Cover slice with the other Dip the sandwich paneer in batter Fry in hot oil Fry till golden brown
Why my Pakoras soak lot of oil or burn
To check if the oil is hot enough to fry pakoras, add a drop of batter in the hot oil, if it sizzles and rises up slowly, the oil is ready to to. Fry the pakoras on medium low heat. Do not fry pakoras in very hot oil, the taste and the texture will not be good.
Pakoras soak lot of oil when fried in oil which has low temperature or low flame and the coating may burn if we fry on very high flame or hot oil.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Crispy hot pakoras with spicy green chutney and Tomato Ketchup, and a hot cup of tea(Adrakwali Chai/Ginger Tea)
Honey Chili Garlic Sauce, Rajasthani Lehsun ki Chutney are a option to serve alongside with pakoras Or, try this Roasted Bell Pepper Tomato Garlic Chutney
Recipe Card for Paneer Pakora
Paneer Pakora
Ingredients
- 300 gm Soft and Firm Paneer
- Oil for deep frying
Spices to coat paneer cubes
- ½-1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- ½ tsp Chaat Masala
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves or Kasuri Methi
- Salt as per taste
For Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora
- Green Coriander (and Mint) Chutney as required
For Batter
- 1 Cup Besan/Gram or Chickpea Flour
- 2-3 tbsp Rice Flour
- ½ tsp Caraway seeds/Ajwain
- ½ tsp Red Chilli Powder or as required
- Dried Fenugreek Leaves or Kasuri Methi optional
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste optional
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
Prepare the batter
- In a mixing bowl take besan and all the other ingredients listed under the batter section.1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste, 1 Cup Besan/Gram or Chickpea Flour, 2-3 tbsp Rice Flour, ½ tsp Caraway seeds/Ajwain, ½ tsp Red Chilli Powder, Dried Fenugreek Leaves or Kasuri Methi, 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste, Salt as per taste
- Add water little by little and make a lump free batter. Mix it very nicely and keep it aside.
- For 1 Cup besan we require around ½-¾ cup water. Check the consistency. Batter should be thick but not too much.
Spice Coated Paneer Pakoras
- Cut Paneer in bite sized cubes or cut in the shape as preferred. Check Notes.300 gm Soft and Firm Paneer
- In a bowl add paneer cubes and all the spices listed under Spices to Coat Batter section.½-1 tsp Red Chilli Powder, ½ tsp Chaat Masala, 1 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste, 1 tsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves or Kasuri Methi, Salt as per taste
- Coat the cubes nicely with spices.
- Dip the cubes in batter and coat evenly in batter.
- Heat oil in pan/kadhai.Oil for deep frying
- Fry the pakoras on medium low heat.
Frying the pakoras and oil temperature
- Check if the oil is hot enough to fry pakoras, add a drop of batter in the hot oil, if it sizzles and rises up slowly, the oil is ready to to.
To make Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora
- Cut paneer in square or rectangular pieces and further cut the thick slices to make the layers. Check the video attached,
- Spread the chutney and then cover it another paneer slice. Make other sandwiches in similar way.Green Coriander (and Mint) Chutney
- Carefully dip it in the batter and coat the pieces evenly with batter.
- Deep fry in hot oil, till golden brown.
- Serve with chutney or tomato ketchup.
Notes
Do try these Paneer Pakoras for evening snacks or for Sunday breakfast in winters or rainy days.
Hope you and your loved ones will surely love it as much as my family loves it.
Do not forget to give your feedback and if you have any queries or questions on the recipes please do ask in the comments section.
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Priya Vj
Paneer pakoras are exotic and delicious. Liked the idea of smearing paneer with masala and then coating with besan. This way the bland paneer gets a good taste when we bite into
Swati
Thanks Priya. glad you liked the recipe
Radha
These look very delicious and perfect with a cup of tea for a cold winter day, or any day too! Love the clicks and the pakoras! YUM!
Sujata Roy
Wow Swaty paneer pakoda looks mouthwatering. I am literally drooling. Loved the idea of masala coated paneer to make pakoda. Also loved your presentation and click.
Swati
Thank you Sujataji! My nani used to make it this way. I learned it from my mom. Glad you like it.