Paneer Pakora

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.

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.

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.

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

Swati

2 ways Paneer Pakora Recipe | Learn how to make Spice coated and Chutney Sandwich Paneer Pakora, with spicy green coriander chutney sandwiched in between paneer layers.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Snacks and Starters

Cuisine Indian

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

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.

Serve Crispy hot pakoras with spicy green chutney and Tomato Ketchup.

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

 

Keyword Chutney Sandwhich Paneer Pakora, Paneer Pakora

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Tried this recipe?Share @foodtrails25 or tag me #foodtrails25!

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.

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