Air fryer paneer is the crispiest, most delicious appetizer, perfect for cocktail hour or game day. This Indian cheese gets soft and chewy in the air fryer while the savory Panko bread crumb mixture gets crispy and golden. Serve with spicy chimichurri.
I love paneer. With just a few simple ingredients like bread crumbs and spices, you can transform plain cubes of paneer into deliciously crispy little bites.
Think chicken nuggets but with paneer. Spiced, crispy paneer nuggets.
Plus this is an easy recipe – simply bread and bake. This recipe would be the perfect way to introduce someone to paneer cheese.
These air-fried chunks of paneer are perfect little crispy bites of joy. I recommend serving them with my spicy chimichurri sauce but you can use your favorite sauce. A marinara sauce would be nice.
These two recipes together give you the ultimate flavorful bite: savory, soft, crispy, spiced, spicy, and tangy.
It doesn’t get much better when you’re talking about easy appetizers to make. Perfect any time of the year.
Also, these cubes of paneer are coated first in a flour batter and then in breadcrumbs. This breading technique is one that I use often and it works well in many applications, like in my crispy chicken wraps recipe.
Using a flour batter eliminates the need for eggs like in a typical breading application of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
If you have an egg allergy or are vegan you can use this egg-free breading technique on vegan ingredients. It’s the perfect way to add breadcrumbs to turn other ingredients into crispy little bites.
What is paneer
Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese that is unaged, mild in flavor, and soft but doesn’t melt. This means you can bread it and air fry or bake it without it losing its shape.
Paneer is an acid-set soft cheese which means milk is curdled by using an acid like lemon juice to separate the curds and the whey. The curds are then pressed.
It’s easy to make homemade paneer by scalding milk and adding enough lemon juice to curdle it. Wrap the curds in cheesecloth and set them in the fridge and then later cut it into cubes.
Paneer is a fantastic ingredient that I like to use regularly because it’s a great source of vegetarian protein and its mild flavor means it can be used in many different applications.
I’ve used paneer in several ways, from these breaded paneer cubes to paneer pizza, to my take on palak paneer loaded fries recipe.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- Paneer: I buy my paneer at my local supermarket (Real Canadian Superstore) and they now have several different brands. You can also make this like I described above.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour is what I use. You’ll mix this with water to make a thick batter that the bread crumbs will stick to. Mixing flour with water to create a batter for the breadcrumbs to stick to eliminates the need for eggs, which makes this a great egg-free breading technique for those with egg allergies or who follow an egg-free diet.
- Spices: I like earthy warm spices like cumin, garam masala, and cayenne pepper.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are light and crispy and get super crunchy when air-fried.
- Salt + pepper: A little salt and black pepper for seasoning.
Substitutions
- Spices: Try your favorite spices instead, like chili powder, ground coriander, garlic powder, or onion powder.
I use the Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer. All air fryers are different and may cook a bit faster or slower than others. Keep a close watch during the last few minutes of cooking time.
Instructions
Prep Tips
- Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes.
- Mix the flour, spices, salt and pepper. Use a medium to large bowl that will fit all of the paneer cubes in it.
- Make the batter by adding water to the flour mixture. Whisk well until combined. This should be a pretty thick batter. If it’s too thick, add a little water and mix again.
- Add the paneer cubes to the bowl of batter. Place the breadcrumbs in another medium bowl.
- Coat each of the paneer pieces in the batter, letting the excess drip off. Then coat in breadcrumbs.
- Place in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer.
Note: I have read it is damaging to non-stick cookware to use aerosol spray oils on them. If you want to spray these paneer cubes before air frying them, spray them before you put them on the tray to protect them from buildup and damage. You also use oil in an oil mister to spray them.
Place the breaded cubes in the preheated air fryer and cook for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve with your favorite dip.
Tips for Air-frying Paneer
What to Serve with Crispy Air-fried Paneer
These crispy bites are perfect vegetarian options for a cocktail hour or game day spread. I like these with a dip – specifically my spicy chimichurri. You could also try honey sriracha sauce, honey dill sauce, or Tzatziki Sauce.
If you’re looking for more easy air fryer recipes try my air fryer portobello fries, air fryer sweet potato wedges, avocado fries, or 5 minute air fryer pita chips.
Storage
Air-fried paneer cubes are best right when you make them. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. After this, they start to dry out.
FAQs
Paneer is a fresh acid-set cheese common in Indian cuisine, made from cow or buffalo milk. It is a non-melting soft cheese made by curdling milk with a fruit- or vegetable-derived acid, such as lemon juice. This cheese is vegetarian.
Air fryer Paneer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz paneer 12 oz
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes.
- Mix the flour, spices, salt, and pepper in a medium to large bowl that will fit all of the paneer cubes in it.
- Make the batter: Add water to the flour mixture. Whisk well until combined. This should be a pretty thick batter. If it's too thick, add a little water and mix again.
- Add the paneer cubes to the bowl of batter. Place the breadcrumbs in another medium bowl.
- Coat each of the paneer pieces in the batter, letting the excess drip off. Then coat in breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded paneer on the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, leaving space in between.
- Bake the paneer in the preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dip.
Video
Notes
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup rose wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt + pepper, to taste
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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