This Air fried paneer recipe is a perfect weeknight meal. Takes 10 minutes to prep, couple hours to marinate which is totally optional and 15 minutes to cook in air fryer. You can enjoy this dish with rice or paratha, enjoy as a wrap or sandwich too.
We make Paneer at least once a week as it is my go-to source of protein. It is loved by all in the family. While there are various different ways I cook paneer, this simple air fried paneer has become very regular on weeknights.
Ingredients for Air Fried Paneer
Paneer - You can use homemade fresh paneer or store bought. Sometimes the store bought paneer can feel very hard. One pro-tip is to slice the paneer in cubes, and then soak in hot water with a little salt. It will help to soften the texture of the paneer and season it too.
Onion - I like to use red onion, but you can use ant variety you like. I like to slice the onion into medium size chunks instead of finely chopped or sliced.
Tomatoes - I use 1 fresh tomato, and you can choose to use tomato from a can too, but just remember that tomato in a can or tomato purée will release moisture and make the dish gravy instead of dry.
Spices - You can use any choice of spices here. I kept it very simple with just garam masala, but I often switch it up too based on what I have in hand. There is also turmeric and Kashmiri chili powder, mainly for color. Based on how much heat you can handle, you can use fresh green chili or spicy red chili powder. Apart from these, I also use dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), which adds a lovely aroma to the dish.
Oil - I use mustard oil while marinating the paneer, as I love the pungent flavor it adds. But you can choose to use whatever variety you have at home.
Garlic - I like to use freshly grated garlic, but you can use store bought garlic paste too.
Yogurt - I use plain Greek yogurt while marinating the paneer cubes as it helps to soften the texture of the paneer when it cooks in the air fryer, and it also adds a subtle sour taste to the dish.
The measurements of the ingredients in mentioned in the recipe card below.
Steps to prepare
This Air fried paneer dish is one of the easiest paneer dish you will ever prepare.
1- Slice the paneer in tiny cubes and if the texture feels too hard, soak it in hot water with a pinch of salt.
2- Choose an ovenproof pan that will fit inside your Air Fryer and in that pan add the thick yogurt along with salt, sugar, turmeric powder, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala powder, dried fenugreek leaves, grated garlic and mustard oil.
3- Add the chopped onion, tomato and paneer.
4- Give a good mix and let it marinate for a couple of hours in the fridge. You can also leave it overnight in the fridge.
5- When you are ready to prepare, preheat the air fryer and drizzle oil on top of the marinated paneer.
6- Once it is cooked halfway through, toss it around. The paneer tastes good freshly prepared. Enjoy with rice, paratha, in wrap or sandwich.
If you enjoy Air Fryer, try these air fried dishes:
FAQs
Yes, it will work in an oven too. The timing might be different as oven takes longer to cook as compared to air fryer.
I don't boil paneer, but if the texture of the paneer is too hard, then soak in hot water with salt for a while.
Yes, if you want to turn this dish less gravy and more dry or crispy, don't add the tomatoes. And add little chickpea flour to the mixture also coats the mixture to the paneer cubes and makes it crispy in the air fryer.
Air Fried Paneer
Ingredients
- 12 oz Paneer
- 6 oz Red onion
- 6 oz Tomato
- ¼ cup Thick yogurt
- 3 tablespoon Mustard oil
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon Dried fenugreek leaves
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 Garlic cloves
Instructions
- Slice the paneer into small cubes. Also slice the onion and tomato into small cubes.
- In a baking pan that fits in your air fryer, add the yogurt, along with oil, salt, sugar and spices. Also add grated garlic cloves and whisk to mix everything.
- To the pan add the diced onion, tomato, paneer and mix it all around. Cover the pan and let it rest in the fridge covered with a clear wrap for 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the Air fryer at 400 F and once ready, place the pan on the air fryer rack and air fry for 15 minutes. Toss it around once half way done.
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