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Easy Paneer Pakora
5 from 12 votes

Easy Paneer Pakora

Easy Paneer Pakora offers crispy fried cubes of paneer coated in a spiced, gram flour-based batter that includes turmeric, cumin, and chaat masala for balanced savory flavor. The batter is thick for good adherence and seasoned for aroma and mild heat. Paneer pieces can be stuffed with tangy mint and tamarind chutneys to add layers of flavor, contrasting the crunchy exterior with smooth, tangy fillings. This pakora works well as an appetizer or snack when served with chutneys and optional chaat masala sprinkling.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 309 kcal
Course: Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 250 grams paneer store-bought or homemade, or cottage cheese
  • neutral cooking oil for frying, generic cooking oil
Spices for Paneer
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
For stuffed pakora
  • 2 tablespoon mint chutney contains cilantro
  • 2 tablespoon tamarind chutney
For the batter
  • 1 cup gram flour aka besan
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder ground, aka Haldi powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder dhaniya powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ajwain seeds aka carom seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1/3 cup water plus more as needed to make the batter
For serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala optional
  • mint chutney contains cilantro
  • tamarind chutney

Instructions

Prepare the batter
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl, add all the batter ingredients including besan and spices. Add little water as needed to make a thick flowing batter. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. (See notes if you have less time)
Prepare Paneer
  1. If using store-bought paneer, blanch the paneer for 10 minutes in hot water. Cut the paneer into cubes (about 3/4 inch). You can even cut them in the desired shape like a triangle.
  2. (For stuffed pakora) Cut the paneer into triangles. Then make 2-3 slices of each triangle depending on chutneys you plan to stuff. Spread chutney on one side and place the other triangle on top.
Deep Fry
  1. Heat oil in a kadai or deep fryer on medium-high flame. You can use any neutral tasting oil with a high smoking point. Once the oil reaches the smoking point, you can test the oil by immersing a few drops of batter in the hot oil. The oil is ready to fry pakoras if the batter droplets rise to the surface quickly and gradually.
  2. Dip the prepared paneer pieces in the batter and coat them nicely with the batter. Add the batter-coated paneer slices carefully to the medium-hot oil. Remember do not overcrowd the kadhai. Using a slotted spoon, remove the paneer pakora. To remove excess oil, place them on paper towels.
  3. Fry till the paneer fritters are golden and crisp on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to turn them few times while they cook evenly.Using a slotted spoon, remove the paneer pakoras and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to drain excess oil.
Serve
  1. Serve paneer pakora hot or warm, sprinkled with chaat masala, and accompanied by mint cilantro chutney or tomato ketchup and masala chai.

Notes

  • Add 1-2 tablespoons rice flour to gram flour batter for increased crunch while maintaining gluten-free status.
  • Ensure the batter is thick enough to coat without running and free of lumps by whisking or blending thoroughly.
  • When short on time, adding a pinch of baking soda to the batter can help achieve crispier pakoras without resting.
  • Maintain oil at medium-high heat to avoid burning the pakora exterior before the batter cooks through, and prevent excess oil absorption.

Nutrition Information

Calories 309kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 21g (7%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g (3%) Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Sodium 627mg (26%) Potassium 273mg (6%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 176IU (4%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 319mg (32%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 309

% Daily Value*

Calories 309kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Cholesterol 41mg 14%
Sodium 627mg 26%
Potassium 273mg 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 176IU 4%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 319mg 32%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.