If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s full of flavor, perfectly spiced, and easy to make, Paneer Tikka should be at the top of your list. This North Indian dish is a favorite at restaurants and parties alike, and the good news is—you can make it right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients and no tandoor needed!
What is Paneer Tikka?
Paneer Tikka is a vegetarian version of chicken tikka, made using paneer (Indian cottage cheese) marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices, then grilled or baked to perfection. It’s commonly served with mint chutney, onion rings, and a sprinkle of chaat masala, making it a mouthwatering appetizer or side.
Paneer Tikka is one of the most popular dish that is ordered every time we go to a restaurant or served at social events as well. I am a big fan of it myself and won’t say no to it.
What Makes This Recipe a Favorite
- Vegetarian & Protein-rich
- Easy to make at home
- Perfect for grilling, baking, or cooking on the stovetop
- Great for parties, get-togethers, or even a simple family dinner
What is Paneer?
Paneer is a fresh, non-melting cheese commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is made by curdling milk with an acidic agent like lemon juice or vinegar, it’s then drained and pressed to form a firm block. You can get the recipe of Homemade Paneer on my blog.
It does have a mild flavor, which makes it incredibly versatile—it absorbs spices and sauces beautifully. Paneer is a staple protein source in many Indian households and popular in vegetarian dishes like Paneer Tikka, Palak Paneer, and Paneer Butter Masala.
Try these other Paneer recipes from my blog:
Tips for Perfect Paneer Tikka
- Use hung curd to avoid watery marinade.
- Soak wooden skewers in water if using oven or grill to prevent burning.
- Add a smoky flavor by placing a hot charcoal piece in a bowl inside the marinated paneer, adding a few drops of ghee on the coal, and covering for 2–3 minutes. You can do it before or after it is grilled or cooked.
Equipment Used:
Ninja Foodie AirFryer, Grill, & Oven
If you give the recipe a whirl, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment down below to let me know how it turned out – your feedback means the world to me!
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Happy Cooking!!!
Easy Homemade Paneer Tikka Recipe | A Crowd Pleasing Indian Snack
Equipment
- Ninja Air Fryer/Grill
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup hung curd
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ¾ tsp red chili powder
- ¾ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- 2 tsp besan
- ½ tsp kasuri methi
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- ½ tsp chaat masala
- salt to taste
- 1 medium size red onion cubed
- 1 green or red bell pepper deseeded and cubed
Instructions
- Cut the paneer into decent size squares. Additionally, cut onions and bell peppers in a cube size
- In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients in the list and make the marinade.
- Now add the paneer cubes along with onions and bell peppers and mix everything together.
- Let it marinade for a few hours so everything is well coated.
- While waiting, soak the wooden skewers in the water to avoid burning when grilling.
- Once the paneer is ready to be threaded, get the skewers ready by putting the bell peppers, onions and paneer. Repeat till the skewer is threaded all the way.
- Repeat to make sure all the skewers are ready.
- Heat the air fryer at 400F and cook it for 5-6 mins on each side. Turning in between.
- If you are making it on a grill pan or regular pan, heat it and spray it will oil. Cook it on a medium heat for a few mins on each side.
- Once ready, plate it on your serving plate with min chutney or your favorite chutney of your choice.