Paneer Pakora - Fried Cottage Cheese Fritters
Paneer Pakora is a popular Indian snack featuring soft cottage cheese cubes coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter and deep-fried to a golden crisp. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these fritters are best enjoyed with green chutney or tamarind sauce.
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Ingredients
- 250 gramspaneer (cottage cheese)
cut into 1-inch cubes
- 100 gramsgram flour (besan)
- 20 gramsrice flour
for extra crispiness
- 1 teaspooncarom seeds (ajwain)
- 1 teaspoonred chili powder
- 0 ½ teaspoonturmeric powder
- 0 ½ teaspoongaram masala
- 1 teaspoonsalt
- 0 ¼ teaspoonbaking soda
a pinch, optional for fluffiness
- 120 milliliterswater
approximately, to make batter
- 500 millilitersoil
for deep frying
- 1 tablespoonchopped fresh coriander
optional for batter
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, rice flour, carom seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, salt, and baking soda.
Gradually add water while whisking to form a smooth, thick batter that coats the back of a spoon. Adjust the water quantity as needed. Optionally, mix in chopped coriander for added flavor.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. To check if oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into it; it should rise steadily to the surface.
Dip each paneer cube into the batter, ensuring it's well-coated.
Carefully drop the coated paneer cubes into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan to maintain temperature.
Fry the pakoras for 3–4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp on all sides, turning occasionally using a slotted spoon.
Remove the pakoras from oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Serve hot with green chutney or tamarind sauce.
