Easy Air Fryer Paneer (Low Carb Fried Paneer Popcorn)

Name: Easy Air Fryer Paneer (Low Carb Fried Paneer Popcorn)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 100 gm Paneer (1/2 cup paneer or 12 cubes of paneer); 1 tsp Garlic Butter; 1 tsp Red Chilly powder; 1 tsp Black pepper; 1 tsp Pink Salt; 1-2 tsp lemon juice

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Perfectly roasted, this Air Fryer Paneer is a healthy snack or an appetizer. With handful of simple ingredients, you can enjoy this flavorful air fried Indian cottage cheese. Dunk it into a gravy for making a hearty vegetarian meal or have it as is for a quick snack!

Smothered with warm spices and topped with lemon juice, this spicy Air fryer Paneer is surprisingly made with just a spoon of garlic butter. The best thing about Paneer is that it won't melt when heated or fried. Coating it with garlic butter and air frying adds a perfect smoky flavor to it.

If you are looking for a low carb appetizer, this air fried paneer is a perfect treat! Crispy and browned from out and tender within, each bite of this paneer chunk is incredibly indulgent! Team it with green chutney for a healthy starter!

Paneer has always been my favorite ever since I was a kid. Making and serving paneer dishes is a delicacy and mom used to fry paneer for adding it to gravy dishes like Palak Paneer and Paneer masala. Find my favorites Air Fryer Paneer Tikka, Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower, and Healthy Paneer Tikka.

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Why Would You Love This Recipe?
Ingredients
What Is Paneer?
Variations
What To Team With This Air Fryer Paneer?
Expert Tips
Storage Suggestions
How To Roast Paneer In Oven
Recipe FAQs
Detailed Recipe With Steps
Easy Air Fryer Paneer (Low Carb Fried Paneer Popcorn)

Why Would You Love This Recipe?

Low Carb High Protein Snack.
Bursting with Savory and spicy flavors.
Gluten Free.
Can be made vegan by making Tofu Fried.
A quick recipe to make a Healthy Appetizer.
Kids Friendly.
Uses Minimum Oil/ Butter
Healthy Version of Fried Paneer.
The Best Air Fryer Paneer recipe Ever!

Ingredients

Paneer- Paneer or Indian Cottage Cheese is the star ingredient of this recipe. Any good quality brand would work. If you wish to make this recipe vegan, you may swap it with Tofu.
Garlic Butter- I love the flavor that comes from smoky garlic butter when coated over paneer cubes. You may use olive oil or plain butter as well.
Red Chili powder- The red chili powder adds perfect spicy kick to these fried paneer chunks. Feel free to adjust the heat.
Black pepper- adds much needed depth and earth flavor.
Lemon Juice- Freshly squeezed lemon juice over fried paneer makes it tangy and a great appetizer too.
Cilantro- (optional) Make a vibrant colored snack by garnishing with fresh cilantro leaves.
Pink Salt- while normal slat works well too, I love adding pink salt to savory snacks.

What Is Paneer?

Paneer is a fresh cheese commonly used in Indian cuisine. It's made by curdling milk with an acidic agent like lemon juice or vinegar, which causes the milk solids to separate from the whey. The resulting curd is then pressed to remove excess moisture, creating a firm yet crumbly texture. Paneer doesn't undergo an aging or ripening process, so it has a mild and slightly milky flavor.

Due to its firmness, paneer holds its shape well during cooking and doesn't melt like some other cheeses. It's a versatile ingredient often used in dishes like curries, tikka masala, and snacks due to its ability to absorb flavors and complement spices.[1]

Variations

Paneer Sandwich-You may make a quick meal by placing the fried paneer chunks in a toasted bread with fresh veggies.
Paneer Salad-Top a fresh salad with these roasted paneer cubes for a high protein snack.
Paneer Tikka- Roast onions, bell peppers and tomato along with paneer and marinade paneer cubes in Gram flour-yogurt spicy sauce for Indian Paneer Tikka.
Paneer in Gravy-Place these air fried paneer cubes in gravy curries to make Palak Paneer, Matar Paneer, etc.
Add another Spice-You may add garam masala, dried oregano or any other spice of your choice.

What To Team With This Air Fryer Paneer?

Dips/ Chutneys-Enjoy this healthy paneer popcorn with homemade green cilantro chutney or Hummus.
Top your salad with these crispy and crunchy paneer cubes for a light meal. Get our collection of Veg Salads.
Serve with warm naan, roti, or pita bread to create a satisfying wrap or sandwich. Get Paneer Wrap recipe.
Have them with rice for a complete meal. Get our Rice Recipes.

Expert Tips

Cut the paneer into uniform pieces of medium thickness. This ensures even cooking and a balance of texture.
Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before placing the paneer inside. This helps make crispy paneer cubes.
You may grease the air fryer basket with little oil so that paneer cubes don't stick to it.
Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation, resulting in even cooking.
Don't marinade for very long as paneer when coated with salt would leave water and excessive moisture won't make it crispy.
Follow the instructions for your model of Air Fryer.

Storage Suggestions

Allow the paneer to cool down to room temperature before storing. Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 days for best flavor.

When reheating, use the air fryer on a lower setting to gently warm the paneer and restore its crispiness.

I don't recommend freezing air fried paneer as it will become dry and chewy when used post freezing.

How To Roast Paneer In Oven

If you don't have an air fryer, you may follow the same recipe steps (as given below) and roast / bake them in oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for about 10 min.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking. Place the coated and seasoned paneer pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure they aren't touching each other to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Bake in oven for about 15-20 minutes, flipping the paneer halfway through the cooking time. Keep an eye on the paneer to prevent overcooking.

Recipe FAQs

How to fry paneer without making it hard?

If you are deep frying paneer, make sure the oil is hot and fry on slow flame. Make sure to remove water and then fry.

Can we fry paneer directly?

Yes. In a large pan, add ghee or oil (2 tbsp). Let it be hot. Slow the flame and then place the paneer cubes with even spacing and flip them with knife to cook from the other side.

Do you fry paneer before cooking?

Not always. Frying paneer gives it crispy edges and makes it soft from within. It's a nice way of adding paneer to gravy dishes but you may always skip it.

Detailed Recipe With Steps

Air Fryer Paneer is a quick and healthier way to enjoy crispy paneer.

Step 1 Wash, Chop and Coat

While you preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 min, you may wash paneer and remove excess water. Chop it into equal sized cubes. Not very thick not very thin.

In a large bowl, add spices, salt and oil. Mix well. Coat Paneer cubes with the spices.

add spices, butter, salt and paneer cubes in a bowl

Step 2 Air Fry

Place the coated and seasoned paneer pieces in the air fryer basket. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer without overcrowding for even cooking. Let the paneer air fry for about 8-10 min while shaking the basket or flipping the paneer halfway through the cooking time. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

The paneer should turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. The exact cooking time might vary depending on your air fryer model and paneer size.

place paneer cubes in air fryer at even gaps

Step 3 Serve It

The crispy golden Air Fryer Fried Paneer is ready. Top it with chopped cilantro, and lemon juice for extra flavor boost.

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Disclaimer: The healthy recipes are based solely on personal experience and are not created or endorsed by a nutritionist or dietician. I am not a qualified nutritionist or dietician. It is crucial to seek professional advice before making any substantial dietary changes or if you have specific dietary concerns.

Note: Adopting vegan lifestyle is a conscious choice that can be aligned with ethics or health issues. I try to create recipes- vegetarian as well as vegan that can be homemade by using less oil/ fat.