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Crispy paneer popcorn (vegetarian nuggets or paneer bites) - best evening snack or party appetizer.
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Paneer Popcorn | Vegetarian Nuggets | Paneer Bites

Paneer Popcorn is a crispy, golden, and addictive bite-sized paneer (cottage cheese) packed with flavor. These vegetarian nuggets are perfect for kids, as a party appetizer, or as an evening snack with tea.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 6
Calories: 162kcal
Author: Kushi

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup Corn flour corn starch, or all-purpose flour or rice flour
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon Chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon Tandoori masala garam masala
  • ¾ teaspoon Black pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Coriander leaves cilantro
  • 200 g Paneer Indian cottage cheese, cubed.
  • Oil for frying

For crispy coating

  • ½ cup Bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon Red chile powder
  • ½ teaspoon Tandoori masala
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper powder

Instructions

Prepare the batter

  • In a mixing bowl, combine corn flour, ginger garlic paste, chile powder, tandoori masala, black pepper powder, salt, and coriander leaves. Mix well. Now add water in tablespoon increments and mix well to form a medium-thick batter.
    ⅓ cup Corn flour, 1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste, 1 tsp Chile powder, 1 tsp Tandoori masala, ¾ tsp Black pepper powder, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tbsp Coriander leaves
  • Add the paneer cubes. Toss and marinate for 15 minutes.
    200 g Paneer

Coat the paneer

  • In a bowl, add bread crumbs, chile powder, tandoori masala, salt, black pepper powder, and mix well.
    ½ cup Bread crumbs, ½ tsp Red chile powder, ½ tsp Tandoori masala, ¼ tsp Salt, ¼ tsp Black pepper powder
  • Roll each paneer in these bread crumbs.

Deep fry nuggets

  • Heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Add paneer cubes and fry until golden brown.
    Oil for frying
  • Best served with lemon lime soda, cocktails, or mocktails as finger food or an appetizer, or as a snack with evening tea or coffee.

Video

Notes

  • Make ahead: You can make the batter, bread the paneer, and freeze it. Just fry when you are ready to serve.
  • Adjust the spices to taste.
  • Instead of corn starch, all-purpose flour(maida), rice flour, and besan can be used. Flavor will vary accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 569mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 1mg