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Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

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Marinated with zesty cilantro, serrano peppers, garlic, and Greek yogurt this Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy air fryer Paneer Tikka just needs a short session in the air fryer. 

In this recipe paneer gets a dramatic lift from the spicy peanut, cilantro and garlic. Thecha is a side dish in Maharashtrian cuisine. I grew up eating thecha and decided to incorporate it in paneer tikka.

air fryer thecha paneer

How do I make Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka?


Step 1: 

Firstly, dry roast raw skinless peanuts on the pan on low – medium heat. Once they start changing color (in about 2 to 5 minutes) and become fragrant remove them in a bowl and set aside. Additionally, make sure they do not burn. You need to watch them while they roast.

roast peanuts

Step 2:

Further, add oil to the pan on low-medium heat. Moreover, let the oil heat up. Next add in cumin seeds, fresh minced garlic and serrano peppers. Let them sauté for a minute until the cumin seeds splutter. Then add cilantro, coconut and sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the coconut becomes fragrant. Keep stirring. Transfer to the bowl with the peanuts and let the mixture cool down.

add coconut and cilantro for thecha paneer

Step 3:

After the mixture has cooled, place everything in a blender, add salt and blend coarsely.

blend the mix

Step 4:

Moreover, mix the blended mixture with Greek yogurt. Dice the paneer in 2 to 3-inch pieces. Throw the chopped paneer in the marinade. Additionally, let the paneer marinate for 30 minutes.

add mix to prepare thecha paneer

Step 5:

When you are ready to cook, grease the air fryer basket with oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate. Furthermore, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes. Finally, when it’s preheated, working in batches, place the paneer in a single layer.

Set the time and temperature and wait for it to cook. 

What do I serve this Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka?

  • Served as an appetizer with cilantro chutney. 
  • With naan (Indian flat bread) as a part of a meal.
  • Served as a side dish.
  • Also, can also be served in lettuce as a low carb vegetarian wrap.

What is paneer?

Paneer is squeaky, fresh cheese from the Indian subcontinent. It is a vegetarian’s companion and is made by curdling milk with a vegetable-derived acid, for instance lemon juice. It has a milky flavor. You can make paneer at home, however I buy mine from the Indian grocery store. I don’t have the patience to make it at home. There are many recipes online for making homemade paneer. This is the paneer I used for making this spicy paneer tikka recipe. You can buy any brand that you like or prefer.

Tried this recipe yet? Give us a rating, comment below in the reply section and let us know what you think.

Also, try some of our other recipes:

Air Fryer Fish Tikka

Air Fryer Tandoori Mushrooms

Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Shilpa
Marinated with a zesty cilantro, serrano peppers, garlic, and Greek yogurt this  Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy air fryer Paneer Tikka just needs a short session in the air fryer. 
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz paneer (340 gms) (store bought)
  • 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup raw peanuts (skinless)
  • 3 tsp oil of choice
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds  (jeera)
  • 3/4 tbsp garlic (minced finely)
  • 1/4 cup serrano peppers small (chopped finely) (25 small serrano peppers)
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves fresh (finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp dried desiccated coconut
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Instructions
 

Prep

  • Chop the cilantro and serrano peppers finely. Mince the garlic cloves.

Cook

  • Dry roast raw skinless peanuts on the pan on low – medium heat. Once they start changing color to light brown (in about 2 to 5 minutes) and become fragrant remove them in a bowl and set aside.
  • Add oil to the pan on low-medium heat. Moreover, let the oil heat up. Next add in cumin seeds, fresh minced garlic and serrano peppers. Let them sauté for a minute until the cumin seeds splutter. Then add cilantro, coconut and sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the coconut becomes fragrant. Keep stirring. Transfer to the bowl with the peanuts and let the mixture cool down.
  • After the mixture has cooled, place everything in a blender, add salt and blend coarsely.
  • Mix the blended mixture with Greek yogurt. Dice the paneer in 2 to 3-inch pieces. Throw the chopped paneer in the marinade. Additionally, let the paneer marinate for 30 minutes.
  • When you are ready to cook, grease the air fryer basket with oil. I grease mine by rubbing, brushing, or spraying, a little bit of oil on the bottom grate. Furthermore, follow your air fryer directions for preheating to 350°F for 5 minutes. Finally, when it’s preheated, working in batches, place the paneer in a single layer.
  • Air fry at 370°F for 7 minutes.
  • Remove the paneer from the air fryer and serve.
Keyword Air Fryer Green Paneer Tikka, Air Fryer Paneer Tikka, Air Fryer Paneer Tikka Thecha, Air Fryer Spicy Paneer Tikka, Air Fryer Thecha Paneer, Green Paneer Tikka, Thecha Paneer Tikka
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