These Paneer fingers or paneer sticks are a delicious and crunchy cottage cheese appetizer or snack. It gets done really quickly and makes for a tasty snack.
Paneer or cottage cheese is a source of protein for vegetarians. In case you are vegan, you can easily substitute firm tofu in this recipe.
Paneer is a favorite in my home. From paneer tikka to Matar Paneer, Khoya Paneer curry, Paneer Bhurji, Palak Paneer, Paneer Makhani, it is a delightful part of my meals.
These paneer sticks are a much loved snack in my home. My kids especially love these. Super easy recipe and high protein vegetarian dish.
Ingredients
Paneer: One block of paneer about 8 oz. or 200 gm. is used in this recipe. It is cut into long rectangles. Vegans can use tofu in place of paneer.
Chickpea flour, cornstarch and breadcrumbs: These are used for double breading. Chickpea flour and cornstarch along with spices are turned into a batter for first coating.
Second crunchy coating is of breadcrumbs.
You can use crushed cornflakes in place of breadcrumbs.
Spices and herbs: I have used cayenne, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and minced ginger to flavour the chickpea flour batter.
Chopped cilantro adds a burst of freshness to the dish.
Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is used for spraying/brushing, if air frying. Vegetable oil is used for deep frying.
Variations
This is a vegetarian recipe that uses paneer. To make it vegan, you may substitute with tofu.
You may also adjust spices as per taste. Add pepper or more cayenne for more heat.
Serving suggestions
Serve with tea as a snack: This goes very well with evening chai as a side snack.
Serve with dip or chutney: This mint chutney works very well with paneer sticks. You may also serve with ketchup or honey mustard dip.
As a main: Serve them with a lovely cucumber and tomato salad for a delicious meal.
In a sandwich, taco or wrap: Just add it as the protein component along with salad and dressing in a sandwich, taco or wrap.
In an Indian meal: This works great in an Indian meal of lentils and rice along with salad and a side of crunchy paneer fingers.
As a snack platter: Serve for your next gathering with other delicious eats like samosa, onion pakoda, vada pav etc.
FAQs
Yes, you can air fry them in advance and keep in the fridge for 2 days in an air tight container. You can also freeze them for up to a month. Air fry at 360F or 180C to reheat before serving.
Air fried paneer fingers are lower in Calories from deep fried ones. Paneer is high in plant-based protein and Calcium. It also has carbs from the breading.
Tips
- To keep paneer fingers crunchy cornstarch or rice flour is added to the chickpea flour.
- You can use all purpose flour in place of chickpea flour in the recipe.
- For a golden fried appearance, brushing paneer fingers with oil midway during air frying is important.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket so that they cook properly.
Instructions
Cut paneer or cottage cheese into long rectangles about ½” thick.
Prepare the batter by mixing together chickpea flour, cornstarch or rice flour, spices, salt, minced ginger and chopped cilantro.
Add water to the ingredients to make a thick batter that will coat the paneer fingers well.
Let it not be too runny.
In case, you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can blend bread slices in a blender and keep aside.
You can also crush cornflakes in a blender and use them instead of breadcrumbs for crunch.
Bread paneer sticks or fingers
Dip each paneer finger into the chickpea batter and coat all sides.
Now take it out and press in breadcrumbs so that all sides are covered.
Keep aside.
Repeat for all paneer fingers.
Air fryer Instructions
Preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes.
Brush air fryer basket with oil.
Place breaded paneer fingers in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd.
Air fry at 360F or 180C for 6-8 minutes till paneer fingers are browned and crunchy.
Midway, apply oil on both sides and flip the paneer fingers for even cooking and brown appearance.
Take them out and serve hot with ketchup, chutney or any dip of choice.
Deep frying
Take oil in a pan.
Heat till it is medium hot. Put in a small dot of the chickpea batter. If it bubbles and starts dancing in the oil, your oil is hot enough.
Put in the paneer fingers one by one.
Deep fry on medium flame till they are browned. Take out with slotted spoon onto to paper towels.
Serve paneer fingers hot.
Here's the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Paneer Fingers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Paneer or 200 gm.
- 4 tbsp. chickpea flour or besan
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch or rice flour
- ½ tsp. Cayenne
- ½ tsp. Pepper
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. Garlic powder
- ½ tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. ginger minced
- 1 tbsp. cilantro chopped
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes
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Instructions
- Cut paneer or cottage cheese into long rectangles about ½” thick.
- Prepare the batter by mixing together chickpea flour, cornstarch or rice flour, spices, salt, minced ginger and chopped cilantro.
- Add water to the ingredients to make a thick batter that will coat the paneer fingers well.
- Let it not be too runny.
- In case, you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can blend bread slices in a blender and keep aside.
- You can also crush cornflakes in a blender instead of cornflakes and keep aside.
Bread paneer sticks or fingers
- Dip each paneer finger into the chickpea batter and coat all sides. Now take it out and press in breadcrumbs so that all sides are covered. Keep aside.
- Repeat for all paneer fingers.
Air fryer Instructions
- Preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes.
- Brush air fryer basket with oil.
- Place breaded paneer fingers in the air fryer. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry at 360F or 180C for 6-8 minutes.
- Midway, apply oil on both sides and flip the paneer fingers for even cooking.
- Take it out and serve hot with ketchup, chutney or any dip of choice.
Deep frying Instructions
- Take oil in a pan.
- Heat it till it is medium hot. Put in a small dot of the chickpea batter. If it bubbles and starts dancing in the oil, your oil is hot enough.
- Put in the paneer fingers one by one.
- Deep fry on medium flame till it is browned. Take out with slotted spoon onto to paper towels.
- Serve paneer fingers hot.
Video
Notes
2. You can use all purpose flour in place of chickpea flour in the recipe.
3. For a golden fried appearance, brushing paneer fingers with oil midway during air frying is important.
4. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket so that they cook properly.
Nutrition
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Ned says
These were delicious! I loved the hint of spice with the cayenne pepper. Thank you so much for a great recipe!
Rachna says
Thanks Ned!
Kushigalu says
Love paneer in any form. This looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Rachna says
Thank you so much!
Beth says
What a great recipe for the air fryer. I love paneer.
Rachna says
Thanks so much, Beth!
Dannii says
I have used halloumi like this, but never paneer. Such a great idea.
Rachna says
Thank you, Dannii!
Eni says
Love anything paneer and this snack is delicious. I made it as a starter and it was well appreciated!
Rachna says
Good to know!