Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe (Oven & Air Fried Methods)

Name: Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe (Oven & Air Fried Methods)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 200 gm Paneer (12 large cubes of Paneer); 1 large onion (dice into 1/2 inch squares); 1/2 medium red bell pepper (dice into 1/2 inch squares); 1/2 medium green capsicum (dice into 1/2 inch squares); 1 large tomato (dice into 1/2 inch squares); 4-5 tbsp curd; 2 tbsp Besan (Gram Flour); 1 tbsp Ghee; 2 tsp red chilly powder (adjust the heat); 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp chaat masala; 1 tsp Amchur powder (Can use 2 tsp lemon juice); 1 tsp Kasoori Methi (dried fenugreek leaves); 1 twig cilantro (coriander leaves) (optional for garnishing); salt as per taste

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Incredibly delicious and bursting with spicy and savory flavors, this Air Fryer Paneer Tikka is a perfect healthy appetizer for any occasion. Succulent paneer cubes marinated in a blend of Indian spices, yogurt and Gram flour and crisped to perfection in the air fryer is a healthy twist on a classic Indian Paneer Tikka.

With Paneer dishes you may never go wrong. Using Paneer or Indian cottage cheese, one may curate hundreds of Indian dishes in a super simple way. A no-melt cheese, Paneer has no flavor of its own and blend easily in the flavor of spices or gravies, it's dunked into.

This quick and healthy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka is yet another delightful Paneer dish that has a perfect smoky and spicy flavor. Marinated in a smooth mixture of curd, Gram flour (Besan) and Indian Spices, the Paneer cubes soak up the fused flavors.

This fuss-free recipe transforms the beloved Indian appetizer into a guilt-free snack as it uses minimum ghee required to air fry it. With its golden, slightly charred edges and tender interior, this Air Fried Paneer Tikka promises the perfect balance of flavors and textures, all without the need for excessive oil.

Dunk it into Green Cilantro Chutney for an amazing healthy snack! If you love Paneer, you may find many healthy paneer recipes on my blog: Healthy Paneer Tikka (OTG), Palak Paneer, Paneer Roll or Wrap, and Paneer Jalfrezi Recipe.

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Why Would You Love This Recipe?
Ingredients
Variations
Expert Tips
Storage Suggestions
Recipe FAQs
What to Team This Air fried Paneer Tikka With?
Steps to Make Paneer Tikka In Oven
Detailed Recipe of Air Fried Paneer Tikka With Steps
Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe (Oven & Air Fried Methods)

Why Would You Love This Recipe?

High protein and Low Carb Vegetarian Snack.
Healthy Indian Appetizer.
Super Easy Recipe.
Reduced Marination Time.
Oozing Spicy and Savory flavors that come from a blend of Indian Spices and Ghee.
Perfectly Charred from outside and tender within.
The Best Air Fryer Tikka Recipe ever!

Ingredients

Paneer: Paneer is the star ingredient of this recipe. Soft and creamy Indian cottage cheese of good quality brand would be perfect. Make sure to drain the extra water from paneer or it will be too mushy to fall off from the skewers. If you want vegan version of this recipe, you may use Tofu Chunks.
Besan (Gram Flour): Ground chickpea or gram flour works best for this recipe. It's a gluten free high protein coating and gives immense crispy texture to paneer and other vegetables. You may swap it with corn starch but the taste won't be authentic.
Ghee: Ghee is my favorite and it adds much needed richness and depth to the flavor. You may swap it with olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil for vegan options.
Capsicum & Red Bell pepper: While you may use any bell pepper, I have used green and red and they add vibrant color to this recipe. They are crunchy, zesty and taste amazing when marinated in spices.
Onion: Red onions work best. They are mildly sweet and when charred, they balance the spicy flavor that comes from spices and peppers.
Tomato: Tomatoes add juicy flavor and texture. I had removed the seeds to avoid them being sticky.
Curd: The fresh and thick curd or yogurt adds a tangy creamy base for the marinade.Make sure that curd is not watery or else the marinade won't stick to the vegetables and paneer. If using homemade curd, you may hang it for few hrs to drain the water. You may use Greek yogurt as well.
Turmeric: Turmeric powder adds yellow color to the marinade and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Red Chili Powder: I love spicy flavors in appetizers and I am very generous while adding them. I always tell my audience to start with small quantities as my version of spicy won't match with yours. Adjust the heat.
Amchur (Mango Powder): Adds the perfect tangy flavor to this snack. You may add lemon juice as well.
Kasoori Methi: Dried fenugreek leaves adds perfect aroma and flavor. You may use cilantro as well.
Chaat Masala: Add chaat masala, a tangy spice blend for extra zing.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Cilantro (optional): Cilantro or coriander leaves add flavor and color.

Variations

Tandoori Paneer Tikka: Add tandoori masala to the marinade for an authentic smoky flavor.
Oven Roasted Paneer Tikka: The same recipe can be used to make oven roasted Paneer Tikka. Find the steps in the section below.
Green Cilantro Mint Paneer Tikka: Add mint chutney into the marinade for a refreshing twist.
Paneer Tikka Rolls: Dunk this air fried Paneer Tikka in a wrap or paratha for a comfort meal.
Paneer Tikka Pizza: Use paneer tikka as a pizza topping for an Indian-inspired twist.
Add another spice: Feel free to add ginger garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder or any other spice of your choice.

Expert Tips

Before marinating, gently pat the paneer cubes dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Make sure to use large paneer cubes for easily piercing them through skewers. If paneer is soft or has moisture, it may fall off the skewer. Try using paneer of a brand which doesn't retain lot of moisture or avoid skewers.
While I had marinated for shorter duration of 20 min but for deeper flavor, marinate the paneer for an hr or two.
If you don't have skewers, you may simply place the marinated veggies and paneer cubes in the greased air fryer basket.
Paneer can become very chewy if overcooked, so cook till browned and serve immediately.
Usually air fryer method doesn't need flipping but since we wish to have uniform crispness of marinated vegetables, you may flip the skewers half way through.

Storage Suggestions

I always recommend using air fried vegetables as fresh as possible because the quick crispy texture you would get from air frying, loses the crispiness when kept or stored for long.

If you have the Paneer Tikka leftovers, store it in dry container with lid in refrigerator for about a day in summers and 2 days in winters (remember you had marinated it for few hrs as well). For reheating, I would suggest use a stove based method. That has worked best for me.

I won't recommend storing the leftovers in the freezer as paneer would become very chewy and lose all the flavor.

Recipe FAQs

Is paneer tikka healthy or unhealthy?

Yes, this recipe of Air Fried Paneer Tikka is healthy as it uses minimum fat and is high in protein. The other veggies added along with paneer make it a wholesome nutritious snack!

What is paneer tikka called in English?

Grilled Indian Cottage Cheese

How can I make paneer tikka without a grill or oven?

The simple way is to use stove top method by heating iron tawa and slowly cooking on low flame and flipping when browned from one side to cook from the other side.

What to Team This Air fried Paneer Tikka With?

Serve this Amazing Indian Appetizer with Green Mint or Cilantro Chutney.
You may add the air fried veggies and paneer cubes in a bowl with yogurt or cream and team it with rice or Paratha.
Dunk these charred and golden roasted veggies in a Pita Bread or a wheat Paratha and have a healthy meal. Find our popular Healthy Paneer Roll/ Wrap Recipe.

Steps to Make Paneer Tikka In Oven

Follow the recipe steps of marination from the next section.

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) for about 10 minutes. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on it.

Place the skewers on the wire rack. Brush them with a little oil or ghee for a nice glaze.
Roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the paneer and veggies are lightly charred and cooked through, turning the skewers halfway through for even cooking.

You may also refer to OTG made Healthy Paneer Tikka.

Detailed Recipe of Air Fried Paneer Tikka With Steps

Step 1. Wash, Chop and Prep

Wash, dry and chop the vegetables. From tomatoes, remove the water and seeds. Make sure to dice and chunk large pieces of bell pepper, tomato, onion and paneer so that they don't fall off from skewers.

While you prep, preheat your air fryer to 200°C for about 5-10 minutes.

dice onion, tomato, bell pepper for making paneer tikka in air fryer

paneer cubes prepped for air fryer tikka

Step 2. Marinate the Paneer

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, besan, Ghee, Red chili powder, turmeric powder, chaat masala, kasoori methi, salt, and amchur. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.
Add the paneer cubes along with onion, tomato, and peppers to the marinade and coat them evenly. Allow the paneer to marinate for at least 20 minutes to 1-2 hrs in the refrigerator for summers or at room temperature for autumn and winters.

indian spices for marinade of paneer tikka

dice veggies and paneer cubes added to marinade

veggies paneer coated with marinade for making tikka

Step 3. Assemble the Skewers

Place the marinated paneer cubes and veggies onto skewers, alternating between them for a colorful presentation. Coat with little ghee.

marinated paneer cubes and vegetables placed on skewers

Step 4. Air Fry the Paneer Tikka

Place the skewers in the preheated greased air fryer basket. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded.
Air fry at 200°C (392°F) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through for even cooking. The paneer should be golden and slightly charred on the edges.

skewers placed in air fryer basket for paneer tikka

marinated veggies paneer placed in air fryer basket without skewer

Step 5. Serve Hot

Remove the skewers from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two. Serve the air-fried paneer tikka hot with mint chutney, lemon wedges, and onion rings.

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