Parties are all about good food that sets the mood for a fun gathering. When planning your menu, starters are always the first to be served, and they make a long-lasting impression among guests. If you are daunted about what to pick, paneer is always a safe pick. It cooks quickly, soaks up spices easily, and works for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. In addition, it’s easy to experiment with, whether you want something fried, grilled, or tossed in sauce.
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To prepare paneer starters at home, you don’t need any fancy setup; just a few simple tools and ingredients that are easily available in the kitchen pantry and grocery stores. Most recipes need basic items like ginger, garlic, curd, and common Indian spices. Whether you’re making snacks for a group of friends or putting together a festive dinner spread, paneer starters are a safe and satisfying bet. Here are six crowd-favourite recipes that are flavourful, crunchy, and perfect for any occasion.
Dry Chilli Paneer
If you want to add an Indo-Chinese dish to the menu, this one is a safe choice and always gets attention. Start by tossing soft paneer cubes in the mix of soy sauce, vinegar, green chillies, and garlic. Add a bit of cornflour to give a light crisp on the outside. Then toss everything with sautéed onions and capsicum. This dry version doesn’t need gravy and still tastes great after cooling a bit. You can serve it buffet-style or straight from the pan. Garnish them with chopped spring onions for extra crunch and freshness.
Paneer Pakora
A staple in many North Indian homes, paneer pakora is a classic party snack. Paneer pieces are dipped in a thick besan batter that’s spiced with ajwain, red chilli powder, and a pinch of haldi. Once fried, the outer layer turns golden and crisp, while the paneer stays soft inside. It’s best eaten hot with green chutney or tomato ketchup. These pakoras don’t take much time to prepare and are great for rainy evenings or tea-time get-togethers. For extra flavour, you can sandwich green chutney between two thin paneer slices before dipping them in the batter.
Image Credits: Freepik
Paneer 65
This South Indian-style starter is spicy, tangy, and full of bold flavour. Paneer cubes are coated in a batter made from curd, rice flour, cornflour, and red chilli powder, then deep-fried until crispy. After frying, they’re quickly tossed with garlic, green chillies, curry leaves, and a dash of lemon juice. The result is a fiery red snack that’s crispy outside and soft inside. It works well for cocktail parties and game nights. Serve with sliced onions and a wedge of lemon on the side.
Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka is a tandoori favourite that you can easily make at home. Marinate paneer cubes in a mix of curd, mustard oil, ginger-garlic paste, and roasted spices. Add chunks of onion and capsicum to the mix. Let it rest for a while, then grill or cook on a hot tawa until it’s charred and smoky. It’s healthy, tasty, and not too oily. Serve with mint chutney and lemon wedges. You can also stick them onto skewers for easy serving at parties.
Image Credits: Freepik
Crispy Paneer Sticks/ Cutlets
This one is crunchy and fun to eat. Mash boiled potatoes and mix them with crumbled paneer, breadcrumbs, and your choice of spices. Add chopped coriander, chilli flakes, and a little chaat masala for punch. Shape the mixture into sticks or cutlets, coat with breadcrumbs, and shallow fry until crisp. They turn golden outside and stay soft in the middle. Serve them with mayo, ketchup, or spicy dip. You can even prepare them in advance and fry them just before serving.
Image Credits: Freepik
Paneer Popcorn
This is a fun, bite-sized version of paneer fry, perfect for kids and casual parties. Paneer cubes are marinated in curd, pepper, and simple spices. They’re then coated in crushed cornflakes or breadcrumbs for that extra crunch. Fry until golden and serve with a creamy dip or spicy sauce. The coating stays crispy, and the paneer remains juicy inside. These little bites vanish fast, so make a big batch if you’re serving a group.