Paneer Tikka
Ingredients
- 250g paneer, cut into 3 cm cubes
- 1 medium capsicum, cut into chunks
- 1 medium onion, cut into chunks
- ½ cup thick yogurt (hung curd)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- Chaat masala to finish
- Skewers (soaked in water if wooden)
Steps
- 1
Make the marinade
Mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, all dry spices, lemon juice, oil, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
- 2
Marinate the paneer
Add paneer, capsicum, and onion to the marinade. Coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (overnight for best results).
- 3
Preheat air fryer
Preheat air fryer to 200 °C for 5 minutes.
- 4
Skewer and arrange
Thread paneer, capsicum, and onion alternately onto skewers. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
- 5
Air fry
Cook at 200 °C for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway through. The paneer should have char marks and the vegetables should be slightly softened.
- 6
Finish and serve
Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve immediately with mint chutney and sliced onion rings.
Tips for Best Results
💡 Use hung curd
Regular yogurt has too much water and will slide off the paneer. Strain yogurt through a cloth for 30 minutes to get thick hung curd.
💡 Do not skip the oil in the marinade
Oil in the marinade helps the tikka get those golden, slightly charred spots. Without it, the surface stays pale.
💡 High temperature is key
200 °C is the minimum for tikka-style char. Lower temperatures produce softer, stewed paneer rather than tikka.
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Why the Air Fryer Makes Great Paneer Tikka
Traditional paneer tikka requires either a tandoor or a gas grill — neither of which most home cooks have access to. The air fryer changes this equation completely.
The circulating hot air in an air fryer mimics the dry heat of a tandoor, caramelising the marinade and creating those characteristic charred spots without any gas. You get smoky, spiced paneer with slightly crisp edges and a soft centre — the exact texture you want.
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More Air Fryer Recipes for Gas-Free Cooking
Paneer tikka is just the beginning of what you can make in an air fryer. From samosas to kebabs to grilled sandwiches, explore the full range of our no-gas air fryer guides.
