Make restaurant-quality Paneer Tikka at home in your air fryer. Tender, smoky, and perfectly charred, this easy Indian vegetarian starter is ready in minutes with bold tikka flavors.
When I last visited India, one of the best dishes I had on my trip was these massive chunks of paneer tikka. My aunt took me to this little local restaurants for various skewers, including chicken tikkaand seekh kebabs, but the star of this visit was actually the paneer! I still think about this paneer to this day! As I mention in my free motivational guide to explore your potential in the kitchen, Making Cooking Fun!!, going out to eat can inspire you to try new creations! Better late than never, but I’ve replicated paneer tikka that’s so close to how it was in India with the help of the air fryer!
If you’ve been wanting to explore Indian cuisine, then paneer tikka is definitely a hit you can’t ignore! Be sure to try it out so that India is no longer a destination unseen as part of your Live to Cook one-month challenge! Get started for free today by signing up to my email newsletter, plus all of my latest recipes will be delivered straight to your email inbox.
Check out the video to follow along as we prepare one of India’s most popular Indian vegetarianappetizers! If you’re not already, I would appreciate it if you could please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and don’t forget to hit the bell button to be notified when all my latest video recipes go live! Let’s get air frying!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe!
An Indian vegetarian favourite: Paneer tikka is definitely one of the most popular appetizers in Indian restaurants! You just can’t resist those soft and tender chunks of paneer that are bursting with flavour!
Perfect smokiness at home: The main characteristic of paneer tikka is the wonderful char on the paneer pieces. We’ll be able to achieve this at home with the help of our air fryer!
Easy preparation: I love making paneer tikka because unlike its chickencounterpart, there is actually only a single marination required for this dish. You just need your paneer cut into cubes and mix it in with your marinade, then you’re ready to cook.
Fast cook time: The air fryer helps to cook the paneer tikka in a flash, so they’ll be on your table in no time!
Plenty of serving options: Check out down below how to serve your air fried tikka to create the ultimate restaurant experience at home!
Paneer tikka is the vegetarian cousin of chicken tikka, and both are extremely popular appetizers in Indian restaurants. A “tikka” is described as “an Indian dish of small pieces of meat or vegetables marinated in a spice mixture” according to the Oxford Dictionary. As such, paneer tikka simply means chunks of paneer! There are different variations of paneer tikka, such as malai paneer tikka - a creamy type (malai is Hindi for cream) of paneer tikka; hariyali paneer tikka - a green coloured (hari is Hindi for green) paneer tikka made from a cilantro-based marinade; and this is tandoori paneer tikka - also referred simply to as “paneer tikka.” You could call this variation of paneer tikka the OG! This paneer tikka variation features our bright red yogurt-based and slightly spicy paneer tikka.
Is Paneer Tikka Healthy?▼
I would say that it is, and it can be paired with other components to make a nutritious meal! Paneer is high in protein and is packed with calcium and vitamins D and E. I’m using homemade paneer, which is free of any additives and preservatives. Since paneer is just a protein source and there will not be much added oil (most of the ghee just drips off as you’re air frying the paneer), then this will keep you full and satisfied. You can pair it with a healthy carbohydrate source such as roti if you want whole wheat, plus perhaps some dal or a vegetable-based sabji such as Aloo Kohra to create a wholesome and balanced meal that’s packed with vitamins and protein.
How Do You Get a Smoky Flavour With This Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Without a Tandoor Oven?▼
The way to replicate the smokiness that comes out of the ghee that’s added directly to the marinade. Alternatively, you could spray it on top of the paneer cubes as they are cooking. You could also use olive oil or mustard oil if you’d like, but I really love the flavour of ghee here!
How Long Do You Marinate The Paneer Tikka For?▼
You can marinate your paneer for as long as you have time to allocate for it! I recommend that you marinate it for at least an hour, but if you prep this in advance, you can marinate the paneer for up to a day.
What Air Fryer Do You Recommend?▼
I’m using the Cosori 6 Quart Turboblaze for this recipe. I like the size of the basket, which was easily able to fit 2 skewers. Plus, the preheating is efficient, and I find that food cooks really well in this! I previously owned the Ninja 6-in-1 Dual Basket air fryer, but the second basket broke in under a year and I ultimately had to get rid of it just because it was pointless to have a single basket, and the remaining basket was too small to fit much food. Perhaps I just had a flawed model as I do see the use case for 2 baskets, but I’m very happy with my current air fryer! If you’re interested in my first impressions of my new air fryer, be sure to check out this video. If you want more details on what happened to my Ninja air fryer, then be sure to check out this video.
Air Fryer Liner or Not?▼
You’ll see in the video that I actually did not use air fryer liners in this recipe, and that I placed the skewers directly over the rack in the basket. I’ve tried making paneer tikka both with and without the liner, and I found that the paneer had a much more authentic char all over, thus having a better flavour. However, unlike what I did in the video, to make cleanup in the basket easier, you can add the liner in the basket, and place your paneer tikka skewers directly on the grill pan rack attachment.
What Setting Do You Air Fry Paneer Tikka on?▼
We’ll start cooking the paneer on the “Air Fry” setting, and finish it using the “Broil” setting to get the char that’s key to the best paneer tikka!
How Long to Cook Paneer in the Air Fryer?▼
Paneer doesn’t need much cooking—unlike meat, it’s already safe to eat. Air frying it helps heat it through, lock in the marinade, and give it a crisp, slightly charred exterior.
Cook time:
Air Fry: 5–6 minutes at 450°F
Turn skewers, then cook for another 1–2 minutes
Broil (optional): 2–3 minutes for a charred finish
What If I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?▼
No problem! You can make delicious paneer tikka in the oven:
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (optional, for better charring).
Arrange skewers and bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to get that signature char.
Can I Make Air Fryer Paneer Tikka in Advance?▼
I do recommend you serve your paneer hot and fresh for the best experience! You definitely could cook your paneer tikka and store it in an airtight container to enjoy it later, but nothing beats piping hot fresh paneer! If anything, you can use the “Reheat” setting on your air fryer to refresh it.
Scroll to the bottom of this post or press the “Jump to Recipe” button for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD, which has all ingredients and their quantities. You can also use the recipe card to scale the recipe based on how many paneer skewers you want to make! By default, this recipe will yield 6 large chunks of paneer, perfect to serve 2 people as a starter.
Paneer: I always prefer my homemade paneer because it’s just so much softer and tastes incredible! Of course you can use store-bought paneer, but if you’re not in India, homemade may give you the best results.
Ghee: A small amount in the marinade to help get a great char on the paneer cubes.
Lemon juice: Lime juice also works, as I’m using here.
Salt: Essential to bring out all the amazing flavours in the marinade.
Yogurt: I highly recommend you use full fat plain yogurt for best results. I use the Astro brand Balkan yogurt and I swear by it! I’ve used Greek yogurt before and it’s honestly not the same glossiness you get on top, plus I find that Greek yogurt dries the paneer out.
Ginger-garlic paste: I forgot to show it here, but it is actually a non-negotiable in this recipe! You really cannot make an authentic paneer tikka without this ingredient! I always use my homemade ginger-garlic paste, and this is the best choice! You only need 2 ingredients plus a blender, and you can store any extra in an ice cube tray for easy portioning.
Spices: Turmeric, ground coriander, garam masala, kasoori methi, chaat masala, Deggi mirch. There is no substitute for any of these spices besides Deggi mirch, where you can use paprika instead to get red colour and some heat. However, I do strongly recommend Deggi mirch because it won’t be too hot and it will give you just the right colour!
Veggies: For our skewers that will also be added to the marinade. I’m using half a white onion and one green pepper. You can use any onion of your choice, but green pepper is the traditional choice.
How to Make Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
Prepare the peppers and onions, then set them aside.
Slice the paneer into 1-inch thick cubes.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade and mix well.
Add the paneer, peppers, and onions along with molten ghee to the bowl and gently mix to coat everything evenly. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
Meanwhile, soak bamboo skewers in warm water. Once the marinade time is complete, thread the paneer and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between each.
Preheat the air fryer to 450°F for 5 minutes. Be sure to use the grill pan attachment in the air fryer basket. Place the skewers in the drawer and air fry for 5 minutes. Turn the skewers, then cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Finally, switch to Broil mode and broil for 2–3 minutes, or until the tikkas are slightly charred.
To Serve
Brush on some molten butter with a basting brush as needed along with a pinch of chaat masala. I recommend some lemon wedges on the side to squeeze some fresh juice on top of the paneer pieces. Don’t forget the Cilantro Mint Chutneyfor dipping!
Tips for the Most Amazing Paneer Tikka at Home
Use thick yogurt for the marinade so it sticks well. If your yogurt is watery, drain it if needed. Draining yogurt this way is exactly how you make hung curd.
Gently mix paneer with the marinade to avoid breaking the cubes.
Crush the kasoori methi between your palms before adding—it releases more aroma.
Marinate for at least 1 hour, but overnight gives deeper flavor.
Don’t skip the broiling—it adds that tandoori-style finish.
Soak skewers in warm water to prevent burning in the air fryer or oven.
Space out the paneer tikka skewers in the air fryer far enough away so that they do not stick to each other.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Paneer Tikka
As described above, you can enjoy them on their own as an appetizer on skewers. You can mix and match with some other sides and mains to make a complete lunch or dinner. Here are some options:
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
Super Tender Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Recipe
Make restaurant-quality Paneer Tikka at home in your air fryer. Tender, smoky, and perfectly charred, this easy Indian vegetarian starter is ready in minutes with bold tikka flavors.
Prepare the peppers and onions, then set them aside. Slice the paneer into 1-inch thick cubes.
Prepare the peppers and onions, then set them aside. Slice the paneer into 1-inch thick cubes.
2
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade and mix well. Add the paneer, peppers, and onions along with molten ghee to the bowl and gently mix to coat everything evenly. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade and mix well. Add the paneer, peppers, and onions along with molten ghee to the bowl and gently mix to coat everything evenly. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
3
Meanwhile, soak bamboo skewers in warm water. Once the marinade time is complete, thread the paneer and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between each.
Meanwhile, soak bamboo skewers in warm water. Once the marinade time is complete, thread the paneer and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between each.
4
Preheat the air fryer to 450°F for 5 minutes. Be sure to use the grill pan attachment in the air fryer basket. Place the skewers in the drawer and air fry for 5 minutes. Turn the skewers, then cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 450°F (232°C) for 5 minutes. Be sure to use the grill pan attachment in the air fryer basket. Place the skewers in the drawer and air fry for 5 minutes. Turn the skewers, then cook for another 1–2 minutes.
5
Finally, switch to Broil mode and broil for 2–3 minutes, or until the tikkas are slightly charred.
Finally, switch to Broil mode and broil for 2–3 minutes, or until the tikkas are slightly charred.
Nutrition per serving
619
Calories
39g
Protein
12g
Carbs
46g
Fat
1g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
1315mg
Sodium
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Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
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