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There are some days when you want to enjoy paneer in some other form apart from the regular sabzi, but the thought of marinating, skewering, burning the stove and scrubbing the oily pans instantly kills your mood. This is when you turn to an air fryer like your best friend. In under 20 minutes or less, it can turn plain paneer into crispy bites, tikkas, nuggets, and that taste amazing but don’t leave your fingers oily, the kitchen smelling like a frying station, and you with a guilt that comes after. No standing to look over hot oil, no smoke, no spluttering, simply toss, air fry and eat.
These airfryer recipes are best for after-work hunger pangs, sudden guests' arrival, late-night cravings, and lazy Sunday brunches when you want something “special”, but not a lengthy cooking process. You still get that char, golden crust, satisfying bite, but with less oil, less effort and fewer dishes in the sink. If your air fryer is just sitting in a corner and reheating fries and pizza, it's seriously time to introduce it to paneer.
Tandoori Air Fryer Paneer Bites
Basically party-style paneer tikkas but without the drama of smoking and grilling. Toss the paneer cubes with some thick curd, tandoori masala, ginger-garlic, lemon juice and a drizzle of oil. Air fry till the edges turn charred and slightly crisp while the centre stays soft and bouncy. When prepared, you get that restaurant-style panner tikka in under 15 minutes, no skewers, no coal required. Serve it with green chutney, lemon wedges and onion rings, and suddenly your weekday evening feels like a weekend getaway.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Honey-Chilli Crispy Paneer Nuggets
Think about an Indo-Chinese starter, which is lighter, non-greasy and quick to make. Marinate the paneer cubes in soy sauce, chilli sauce, ginger, and a hint of honey, then coat lightly with cornflour. Air fry till the exterior turns crisp, and the inside remains soft and creamy. Toss it in a quick stir-fry of onions, capsicum and sesame seeds. The flavour is a mix of sweet-spicy-tangy, addictive and perfect for movie nights when you crave something amusing but also not deep-fried.
Herb & Garlic Paneer Steaks
Thick paneer slices get a Western makeover here. Coat the paneer slices in a quick marination prepared from olive oil, garlic, mixed herbs, chilli flakes and a squeeze of lemon. Air fry the slices till a thin golden crust is formed on top, almost like a cheese steak. The inside remains soft and delicate, absorbing all the garlicky-herb flavour. Pair it with sautéed veggies, salad, or stuff it into sandwiches, and it fits everywhere. It is a fancy meal that can be prepared in 15 minutes and tastes like café food, but is extremely easy to pull off at home.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Peri Peri Masala Paneer Popcorn
This is for those who love spice and literally live on chips and namkeen. Cut paneer into tiny popcorn-sized pieces, coat them in a mix of curd, peri peri seasoning, rice flour and a little oil. Air fry until they puff up a bit and the edges turn irresistibly crisp. Every bite is spicy, smoky and a little fiery, in its best way. Serve it in a bowl and squeeze some lime from the top, perfect for snacking while you work, without that guilt that comes after munching on namkeen.
Paneer Stuffed Air Fryer Sandwich Pockets
Use the bread slices or small khakhra-style rotis as the pockets. Fill it with crumbled paneer, onions, capsicum, cheese, chilli flakes and a bit of pizza or schezwan sauce. Seal the edges with a little water or cheese, brush them with oil and air fry. The outer layer turns crisp and toasty, whereas the inside becomes gooey, tangy, spicy and cheesy all at once. Paneer-stuffed sandwich pockets are amazing to pack for kids’ tiffin boxes, quick breakfasts or lazy dinners when you want to enjoy comfort food without investing much effort.
(Image credit: Freepik)
