Go Back
TrendyTadka Editorial

12-Minute Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside Indian cheese cubes with charred bell peppers and onions, made in 12 minutes in your countertop air fryer.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (appetizer) servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8 oz 225 g block paneer (cut into 3/4-inch uniform cubes)
  • 1 medium red bell pepper cut into 1-inch squares
  • 1 medium green bell pepper cut into 1-inch squares
  • 1 small red onion layers separated into 1-inch petals
  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt thick and strained
  • 1 tbsp chickpea flour besan or cornstarch (helps marinade adhere)
  • 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil or melted ghee
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste or 2 cloves minced garlic + 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder for bright red color without excessive heat
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves kasuri methi, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp chaat masala plus extra for finishing
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Optional but recommended for softest texture: Place cubed paneer in a bowl of warm, lightly salted water for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, chickpea flour (or cornstarch), oil or ghee, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri chili powder, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, kasuri methi, chaat masala, and salt until a smooth, thick marinade forms.
  3. Add the drained paneer cubes, bell pepper squares, and onion petals to the bowl. Gently toss with a rubber spatula or clean hands until every piece is evenly coated in marinade.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 2 minutes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil spray.
  5. Arrange the marinated paneer, peppers, and onions in a single layer in the air fryer basket with small spaces between pieces for optimal air circulation. (Cook in two smaller batches if your air fryer is under 4 quarts).
  6. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 7 to 8 minutes, gently shaking the basket or turning pieces at the 4-minute mark, until the edges are nicely charred and blistered while the cheese remains tender.
  7. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle immediately with a pinch of chaat masala and fresh lemon juice. Serve hot with cilantro-mint chutney or garlic yogurt dip.

Notes

Recipe development note: This recipe was developed using culinary research and established cooking techniques. TrendyTadka does not operate a physical test kitchen, so results can vary with ingredients, equipment, and technique.