Air Fryer Paneer Tikka with Charred Onions

By Sprig Originals ✓ · cooked up in Sprig

Cubes of paneer and sweet red onion wedges tumbled in a spiced yogurt marinade and blasted in the air fryer until the edges blacken and the cheese goes soft and squeaky inside. Everything cooks in one basket in about 12 minutes, so it works as a weeknight main over rice or as a hands-on starter with chutney.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt (thick, not runny)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder or smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

• 14 oz paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch wedges and separated

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, Kashmiri chili powder, oil and salt until smooth and brick-red.
2. Add the paneer cubes and red onion pieces and fold gently with a spatula so every piece is coated but the paneer stays whole. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while the air fryer heats.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
4. Lift the paneer and onion out of the bowl, letting thick marinade cling but excess drip off, and spread in a single layer in the basket — work in two batches if they overlap. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, pulling the basket out at the 7-minute mark to turn the pieces with tongs.
5. The paneer is ready when the marinade has dried onto the cubes and the edges and onion tips are blackened in spots. Let it rest in the basket for 2 minutes, then tip onto a platter and serve hot.

Chef's tips

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

More from Sprig Originals

Char-Grilled Oysters with Garlic-Worcestershire Butter

Dark Roux Seafood Gumbo with Quick Shrimp Stock

One-Skillet Blackened Cajun Chicken Pasta

Are you this recipe's original author or publisher? Report a problem