Easy Paneer Tikka Recipe | Paneer tikka in air fryer

All of us love to party whether it is an office gig or just at home. No party is complete without a great starter. One of the best paneer starters is a tandoori paneer tikka. The whole Europe is crazy about this delicious indian vegetarian appetizer. Well you can't blame them for it. After all, India stays with you, even if you left it centuries ago. We can easily make this at home. Grilled paneer skewers just win the world over.

Vegetarians love marinated and grilled cottage cheese. Just as much as the non vegetarians love their meat. This taste of smoky cubed paneer stays with you for long time. Grilling it in a fan forced oven at home, gives the dish a great finish, even if you do not own a clay oven or tandoor oven. Alternatively, you can also make an air fryer paneer tikka recipe. 

You can pair it with mint chutney or tomato sauce. perfect paneer tikka is kid friendly and gluten-free. Alter the heat using the chillies in it if you like it spicy. You can have it as a starter or as a main meal, Panir tikka masala. Just add gravy to the starter and have it with some tandoori roti or butter naan bread. Garlic naan and rumali roti also tastes great with the curry.

Jump to:

• Benefits 
• What is the different between paneer tikka and paneer tikka masala ?
• Paneer tikka Ingredients
• Equipment
• Instructions
• How to make paneer tikka in oven ?
• How to make paneer tikka in air fryer ?
• Equipment
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Try more Indian cottage cheese recipes?
• air fryer paneer tikka | Best Paneer Tikka recipe
• FAQs
• Food safety

Benefits 

• Rich source of protein
• Builds better bones and teeth
• Good source of vitamin B12,selenium,magnesium
• Maintains blood sugar levels
• Good for heart and immune system
• Aids digestion

What is the different between paneer tikka and paneer tikka masala ?

Former is the dry side dish like the current recipe you are reading, however latter  is the curry version. You can just transfer the cooked cottage cheese starter to the tomato & onion gravy, and you get the curry. You may refer to the recipe here.

Paneer tikka Ingredients

• Cottage cheese cubed ( Use store-bought paneer or refer to our details post on making homemade paneer here )
• Capsicum or (1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper diced)
• Red onion diced / few baby onions
  For paneer tikka marination:
• thick curd/ dahi/ Greek yogurt
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Turmeric powder
• Red chilli powder
• Cumin powder
• Lemon juice
• Chickpea flour/ besan flour / gram flour
• Salt as per taste
• Mustard oil + extra oil for brushing
• Wooden skewers soaked in water

refer to recipe card for details.

Equipment

• Fan forced oven
• Skewers
• Whisk

Instructions

Read the steps below for the paneer tikka marination .

• Mix all marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl.

• Whisk to a smooth mixture.

• Add the mustard oil (heated and cooled) to the marinate

• Dip cottage cheese paneer pieces & veggies in the marination paste and refrigerate overnight (min. 4 hrs)

• Marinate the paneer & veggies in the same bowl or separately. If they are separate then its easy to choose them while adding to skewers.

How to make paneer tikka in oven ?

• Line up the marinated paneer and veggies in wooden skewers.

• Preheat the oven at 200 degree Celsius(Fan forced) for 10 minutes.

• Place them in the oven with enough space in between. Cook them for 8-10 minutes first(fan forced mode) and 3-4 minutes using the top grill option.(Oven broiler option)

How to make paneer tikka in air fryer ?

• Line up the marinated cottage cheese and veggies in wooden skewers.
• Preheat the air fryer at 190 degree Celsius for 10 minutes.

• Place the paneer tikka bamboo skewers in the air fryer basket. Cook paneer tikka in airfryer for 9-10 minutes at 190C/375F. (Brush with oil once in between)

• Update (Jun 23) - Using a preheated airfryer, helped me get a grilled char(black spots) on the paneer tikka

• Optionally, you may grill it over the gas stove top for few seconds to get the slightly charred edges if your airfryer did not get them.

Serve it hot with green chutney and lemon wedges.

Equipment

You can bake the tikka in a fan-forced oven or an air fryer. You can re-heat the tikka on a tawa if eating left overs.

Substitutions

For a vegan tikka, use extra firm tofu instead of paneer. If cottage cheese is not available you can make a halloumi version for the vegetarian alternative. You will get similar results. For non vegetarian option, you can make chicken tikka. However, the timing of the cook will differ according to the ingredient used.

Variations

You can make a gluten-free vrat paneer tikka or falhari tikka during Hindu fasting period for a one time meal during fasting. This recipe follows all the dietary guidelines one follows during fasting.  You may also make a variation like hariyali paneer tikka where we use cilantro & mint paste to marinate chunks of paneer.

If you like mild spices, use the Kashmiri red chili powder while making the Indian spice marinade. This chili is pretty mild like paprika and also gives it a great color. Use a hotter variety if you like spicy. You can also put some black pepper and a teaspoon garam masala powder if you like.

Try more Indian cottage cheese recipes?

• Paneer tikka masala recipe | restaurant-style Paneer tikka masala
• Falhari tikka ( Air fry / bake in oven )
• Keto Paneer tikka | Low carb Indian food
• easy air fryer paneer
• Paneer Butter Masala dhaba style
• Matar Paneer (In pressure cooker)

FAQs

What are some finger licking curry recipes?

• Dal makhani
• Chana masala
• Rajma chawal
• Dal tadka
• paneer butter masala

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
• Always have good ventilation.