Paneer Popcorn

preparation for paneer popcorn recipe

1. In a grinder jar take ½ cup rolled oats or quick cooking oats. You can also use bread crumbs instead of oats.
2. Using the pulse option grind at intervals of a few seconds till the oats are coarsely crushed. Do not grind to a fine powder. Keep the crushed oats aside.

making paneer popcorn

1. In a mixing bowl take 200 grams paneer or 1.5 cups paneer cubes.
2. Add ¼ teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon dry parsley, ¼ teaspoon oregano, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper powder (or 2 to 3 pinches) and ⅛ teaspoon salt (or 2 to 3 pinches). You can use mixed herbs or any herb of your choice.
3. Mix very well but gently taking care the paneer cubes do not break.
4. In another bowl, take ½ cup besan (gram flour). Add 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste, ⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder or 2 to 3 pinches, ¼ teaspoon kashmiri red chilli powder and 1 pinch baking soda. Also add salt as required.
5. Add 5 to 6 tablespoons water in parts and mix.
6. Mix to a thick batter without any lumps.
7. Now dip each paneer cube in the batter and coat it well. Slid off the excess batter from the paneer cube.
8. Place the paneer cube in the crushed oats.
9. Roll the paneer cubes on the oats and coat it with the oats. Do crumb coating with all the paneer cubes and keep them aside. Otherwise it becomes messy to crumb coat and fry simultaneously.

frying paneer popcorn

1. In a kadai or pan heat oil as required for deep frying. Check a tiny portion of the batter in the oil. If it comes up gradually and steadily on top, the paneer cubes can be fried.
2. Add the crumb coated paneer cubes in the hot oil. Fry on medium flame.
3. When one side is light golden, turn over and fry the second side till light golden.
4. This way turn over a couple of times and fry paneer popcorns.
5. Fry till the outer crust looks crispy and golden. Do not fry too much as then paneer cubes become dense.
6. Remove the paneer popcorn on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. This way fry the remaining paneer cubes in batches till crisp and golden.
8. Serve paneer nuggets hot with any sauce or chutney or dip of your choice.