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.
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.
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.
Step 3:
After the mixture has cooled, place everything in a blender, add salt and blend coarsely.
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.
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.
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Air Fryer Thecha Paneer – Spicy Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
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.