Paneer tikka is very a popular restaurant style grilled appetizer made with Indian cheese, spicy yogurt marinade and herbs. This recipe shows you how to make it on a griddle, in Oven & air fryer without a tandoor.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 · 3 people
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: North Indian
Ingredients
- 1½ tablespoon oil ((preferably mustard oil))
- 1 to 1½ teaspoon red chilli powder ((mild variety))
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 to 1½ teaspoon coriander powder ((optional))
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala ((optional))
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi ((dried fenugreek leaves))
- 1¼ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 6 tablespoons greek yogurt (or thick hung curd (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) (refer notes))
- 200 grams paneer ((cut to 9 cubes))
- 1 large onion (- 10 to 12 cubes layers separated)
- 1 red capsicum (- 6 to 8 cubes)
- 1 green capsicum (- 6 to 8)
- 1 tablespoon mustard oil (or butter for brushing the tikkas (optional))
- 1 tablespoon gram flour ((besan (optional)))
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon carom seeds ((ajwain (optional)))
Method
Preparation
- Stir together thick yogurt (refer notes), chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, kasuri methi, chaat masala, ginger garlic paste and salt.
- Optional for restaurant flavor - In a small pan, mix 1 tablespoon besan with the oil called for in the recipe (1½ tablespoons). Fry on a low heat until fragrant. Cool this and mix in the marinade along with ajwain.
- Pour oil and mix everything well. Check salt and spice. If needed add more salt and chilli.
Marination
- Add the cubed capsicum and onions. Mix well. Then add paneer cubes and gently coat them with the marinade.
- Cover and rest this in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Overnight marination may break the paneer.
- Begin to thread the chunks of capsicum, onion and paneer alternately on the skewer.
- If making in oven, you can use large bamboo skewers. If making on tawa, you can use small ones. You will be able to thread these on 3 large or 4 small skewers.
Making Paneer Tikka In Oven.
- Preheat the oven at 450 F or 230 C for at least 15 mins.
- Prepare a baking tray and line a parchment paper.
- Place the skewers on the tray. Spray oil to avoid the paneer and veggies drying out.
- Grill them for 10 to 11 mins. Brush them with the leftover marinade. This will prevent them from turning dry.
- Move the tray to a higher rack and broil for 2 to 3 mins until slightly charred.
- Do adjust the grill timings based on your oven and the size of paneer cubes. Over cooking may char them too much. When they are golden or lightly charred, take them off the oven.
- Brush paneer tikka with butter or mustard oil. Serve them with mint chutney, onion and lemon wedges.
- Optional: For restaurant flavors, Place a small steel bowl in the serving plate. Burn a wood charcoal piece on direct fire until red hot. Keep it in the bowl. Pour ½ tsp ghee over it. It should begin to smoke immediately. Cover with a foil and let it smoke for 5 to 6 mins.
How To Make Paneer Tikka On Tawa or Gas Stove
- Heat a tawa with 1 tbsp oil and spread it evenly all over.
- When the tawa is hot enough, place the skewers and cook on a medium heat.
- Keep checking and turning them around to all sides for even grilling.
- When they turn golden, place a wired rack over a direct fire like gas stove. Place these skewers over the fire and grill on direct flame until char grilled. This step will ensure all of the marinade is cooked through on all the sides.
- Remove to a plate and brush them with butter. Serve paneer tikka hot as a appetizer or a side in your meal.
Air Fryer Method
- Air fry the paneer tikkas at 390 F or 200 C for 5 mins. Later brush them with some marinade and continue to air fry for another 2 mins.
- Lastly brush them with butter or mustard oil.
Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note
Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.