Recipe for making paneer pakora

Paneer pakora belongs to the North Indian cuisine. Pakora are all time favorite snacking option among Indians. There is a different vibe for pakoras in India and specially for paneer pakoda. This dhaba style recipe is mostly served in Punjab and tastes best with hot tea and chutney. Paneer being the main ingredient of this recipe makes it both healthy as well as tasty.

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Introduction

This recipe is made by dipping the paneer cubes into gram flour batter which is seasoned with spices and coriander leaves and is further deep fried until they turn golden brown and aromatic. Since it is a dhaba style recipe, we have added garlic to it. You can simply avoid it if you want. A strong tea along with these yummy pakoras is all that is needed to change your mood. So please go ahead and try this yummy recipe of ours and please don’t forget to share your views in the comments section below.

Ingredients

Gram flour(besan) – 1 cup (10 tablespoon)
Cottage cheese(paneer) – 250 grams
Green chilli- 2 to 3( finely crushed)
Garlic- 4 to 5 cloves (finely crushed)
Red chilli powder- 1/3 tablespoon
Salt- As per taste
Carrom seeds- 1/3 tablespoon
Coriander leaves- 1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Soda- 1 pinch (optional)
Oil- for frying

Step by step recipe with images

1) Firstly take a mixing bowl and add 1 cup of gram flour.

2) Now add 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped coriander leaves in it.

3) Now crush the garlic and chillies together. Add the crushed garlic and chillies to the mixing bowl. (You can avoid using garlic)

4) Add salt as per taste.

5) Add 1/3 tablespoon of red chilli powder in it.

6) Add 1/3 tablespoon of carrom seeds in it.

7) Add required amount of water to make a medium thick batter.

8) Mix it well with a spoon.

9) Now add a pinch of baking soda in the batter.

10) Mix it well and keep it aside for later.

11)Now slice the cottage cheese or paneer into rectangular or square pieces.

12)Now heat a pan with 2 cups of oil.

13) Add a pinch of dough to see if the oil is ready for frying or not.

14)If the dough comes up then the oil is perfectly ready.

15)Now slowly dip the paneer into the besan batter.

16)Coat them well.

17)Now slowly add the coated paneer into the hot oil for frying.

18)Fry it for 2 to 3 minutes until it turn golden brown now turn it on the other side.

19)Fry it for 2 minutes until it turns golden brown on the other side as well.

20)Now drain it well with the help of a spatula and serve hot. Repeat it same with the remaining batches.

21)Your paneer pakoda is ready to be served. Tastes best with hot tea and chutney.

Tips and Tricks

1) You may or may not add soda to the batter.
Soda adds puffiness to the pakora and makes them soft.
2) The consistency of the batter should be medium thick; add water accordingly.
3) Adding garlic to the batter adds a refreshing flavor. You can skip it totally if you want.
4) Coat the paneer well.

Healthier version

1) You can airfry the pakoras if you avoid oily stuffs. But it may alter the taste.
2) You can skip using red chilli powder if it triggers your health.

Recipe card