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    Home » Air fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Indian Recipes

    Paneer Fingers

    Published: Feb 15, 2023 by Rachna ·

    Jump to Recipe
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    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.

    air fried paneer fingers in a white bowl
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • FAQs
    • Tips
    • Instructions
    • 📖 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews

    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.

    Ingredients for paneer fingers: paneer rectangles, chickpea flour, cornstarch, chopped cilantro, cayenne, Italian seasoning, salt in a bowl, minced ginger in bowls.

    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

    1. Can you make paneer fingers in advance?

    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.

    2. Are paneer fingers healthy?

    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.

    1 crispy air fried paneer finger held up in hand.

    Tips

    1. To keep paneer fingers crunchy cornstarch or rice flour is added to the chickpea flour.
    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.

    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.

    chickpea flour, cornstarch, cilantro, ginger, spices and salt in a bowl

    Add water to the ingredients to make a thick batter that will coat the paneer fingers well.

    Let it not be too runny.

    chickpea flour batter in a bowl

    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.

    paneer fingers dipped in chickpea flour batter.

    Now take it out and press in breadcrumbs so that all sides are covered.

    Keep aside.

    Repeat for all paneer fingers.

    Paneer fingers dipped in breadcrumbs

    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.

    Paneer fingers after breading in air fryer basket.

    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.

    crispy paneer fingers after air frying in air fryer basket.

    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.

    paneer fingers being deep fried in oil in a wok.

    Deep fry on medium flame till they are browned. Take out with slotted spoon onto to paper towels.

    crispy deep fried paneer fingers served in a white bowl.

    Serve paneer fingers hot.

    Here's the recipe card:

    📖 Recipe Card

    air fried paneer fingers served in a white bowl

    Paneer Fingers

    Rachna Parmar
    These delicious paneer fingers are a crunchy and tasty snack. Make them in air fryer or deep fry them the regular way.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 13 mins
    Total Time 16 mins
    Course snacks
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 372 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Air fryer
    • 1 Chef's knife

    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

    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

    1. To keep paneer fingers crunchy cornstarch or rice flour is added to the chickpea flour.
    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

    Calories: 372kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 16gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 475mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 536IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 358mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks
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    If you liked the recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ned says

      March 01, 2023 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious! I loved the hint of spice with the cayenne pepper. Thank you so much for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 01, 2023 at 6:18 pm

        Thanks Ned!

        Reply
    2. Kushigalu says

      March 01, 2023 at 5:45 pm

      5 stars
      Love paneer in any form. This looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 01, 2023 at 6:18 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Beth says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe for the air fryer. I love paneer.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 01, 2023 at 6:18 pm

        Thanks so much, Beth!

        Reply
    4. Dannii says

      March 01, 2023 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      I have used halloumi like this, but never paneer. Such a great idea.

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 02, 2023 at 9:27 am

        Thank you, Dannii!

        Reply
    5. Eni says

      March 01, 2023 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      Love anything paneer and this snack is delicious. I made it as a starter and it was well appreciated!

      Reply
      • Rachna says

        March 02, 2023 at 9:28 am

        Good to know!

        Reply

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    Recipe Rating




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