Enjoy a healthier twist on the classic Indian snack with these crispy paneer pakoras made without a drop of oil! Perfect for tea-time or as a guilt-free appetizer. These air-fried bites retain the traditional spiced flavor and soft paneer texture while eliminating the excess calories from deep frying.
Recipe Overview
- ⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 20 minutes
- ⌛ Total Time: 35 minutes
- 🍽 Course: Snack / Appetizer
- 🌍 Cuisine: Indian
No of servings:
Ingredients:
- 200 g paneer, cut into cubes
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 1 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 0.25 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 cup water (adjust as needed)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- Oil spray (for greasing)
Equipment Needed:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Air fryer
- Cooking spray
- Spatula
Method:
- Marinate Paneer: In a bowl, combine paneer cubes, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Batter: In another bowl, mix gram flour, rice flour, carom seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, and baking soda. Gradually add water to form a smooth, thick batter.
- Coat Paneer: Dip each marinated paneer cube into the batter, ensuring it's well-coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for 5 minutes.
- Arrange Pakoras: Place the coated paneer cubes in the air fryer basket lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are not touching each other.
- Air Fry: Lightly spray the pakoras with oil. Air fry at 180°C (356°F) for 10 minutes. Flip them halfway through for even cooking.
- Serve: Once golden and crispy, remove from the air fryer and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with mint chutney or ketchup.
Tips & Tricks:
- Thick Batter: Ensure the batter is thick enough to coat the paneer properly so it doesn't drip off in the air fryer.
- Batches: Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for even crisping.
- Extra Crisp: For extra crispiness, add a tablespoon of semolina (sooji) to the batter.
- Spices: Adjust red chili powder and salt according to your taste preference.
Storage Information:
These pakoras are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 5 minutes before serving to restore crispiness.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Calcium: 200mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and depend on specific ingredients used.
Conclusion
Enjoy these delicious and healthy no-oil air-fried paneer pakoras as a perfect snack or appetizer. They're crispy, flavorful, and guilt-free, proving you don't need deep frying to enjoy traditional Indian snacks!