Paneer popcorn recipe with video – A quick crunchy paneer snack for kids. These paneer popcorn are one of the best appetizers for kids – crunchy, delicious and addictive. Whether it is for a evening snack or for a party these are going to surely amaze the kids. This recipe can also be used to make paneer nuggets.
The best part about these paneer popcorn is they remain crunchy even after an hour. These can also be prepared ahead and kept in the fridge. Just need to fry them when desired.
Since I made these paneer popcorn for kids I have used very little spice powders which will go well with them. If you are making for grown ups then double the spice powders or as desired. To make these paneer popcorn, I have just followed the same method I shared on the chicken popcorn recipe.
This is completely a vegetarian recipe, I have substituted egg with flour and made a batter. I have used organic plain flour/ maida, it can be replaced with rice flour, besan or corn flour. Corn flour and maida work best for this recipe. The amount of refined flour comes upto just 1 tbsp per serving so I felt it’s fine to use it.
These paneer popcorn go well with red chili garlic chutney, red chilli sauce, schezwan sauce or yogurt dip. Similar paneer snacks on the blog are Paneer cutlet, Hyderabadi Paneer 65, Indo chinese chilli paneer, restaurant style paneer tikka.
Tips to make paneer popcorn
- Cube the paneer to bite sizes. Ensure they are all of equal sizes as this helps them to cook evenly & well.
- If you eat eggs, then you can skip making the batter and just dip the paneer in beaten egg mixture and toss them in a bowl of bread crumbs.
- For extra crunch you can also double coat the paneer in egg and batter or egg mixture.
- If you are a vegan you can replace paneer with tofu.
- For extra spicy version, just toss the moist panner cubes in a mixture of red chilli flakes & Italian herbs. To make the paneer moist just rinse it under running water. Drain completely & use.
- You can also make bread the paneer ahead of time & refrigerate. Bring them to room temperature & fry when needed.
You may like these collection: Over 200 snacks recipes and 50 Paneer recipes.
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Paneer popcorn recipe
Paneer popcorn
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
Ingredients for paneer popcorn
- 1 ¼ cup paneer cubed or Indian cottage cheese (½ by 1 inch size)
- ¼ cup plain flour / maida or rice flour or besan (heaped cup)
- 1 ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- Salt as needed
- ½ to ¾ tsp red chilli powder (reduce for toddlers)
- ¼ to ½ tsp pepper crushed
- ¾ tsp garam masala or any spice powder like allspice
- ¾ tsp dried herbs (optional) or coriander leaves chopped.
For the crust
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- Salt as needed
- ¼ tsp red chili powder
Instructions
Preparation for paneer popcorn
- Cut paneer to one by half inch cubes. Keep these aside.
- Add red chili powder, salt and bread crumbs to a wide bowl. Mix everything well and set aside.
- Add flour, salt, ginger garlic paste, pepper, herbs, red chili powder and garam masala to a mixing bowl.
- Add water little by little and make a thick batter. Too thick batter will make them hard so it has to be moderately thick.
How to make paneer popcorn
- Add the paneer cubes to this and coat them well with the batter.
- Roll each of these batter coated paneer cubes in bread crumbs.
- Gently press down the crumbs to the paneer.
- Refrigerate for about 15 mins.
- Heat oil in a kadai. When the oil is hot enough, add the bread coated paneer cubes in the hot oil.
- Regulate the flame to medium and fry stirring until golden.
- Drain them when golden and crunchy. To fry the next batch, discard the bread crumbs that settle at the bottom of the kadai. Then add the next batch.
- Serve paneer popcorn with red chilli sauce or schezwan sauce.
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Hi Swasthi,
Have followed your recipe and made this dish many times. It turned out very well every time. I would prepare this just before eating and they are nice and crispy that way.
Can I pack this in a box as snack and in that case, will they retain the crispiness? How to retain the crispiness in this case? Your suggestion would be very helpful.
Hi Kavitha
Thank you! There is no way to retain the crispness. You have to reheat it either in oil or in oven or air fryer.
Hey, how would 1 1/2 cup of paneer translate to grams? How would I measure 240 ml of paneer as stated in the recipe?
Hi,
You can use about 150 to 200 grams of paneer
I tried this recipe with tofu and it turned out amazing 🤩 everyone in my family liked it….Thank you so much😃
Tried this recipe many times with different different flour combinations. Turned out very well each time.
Just need a clarification, can we refrigerate paneer overnight and fry it the next day? I was not sure whether paneer keeps good that way. So your suggestion would help.
And thanks a ton for all your recipes. Your blog has become a cook book for me.
Hi Kavitha,
Glad to know! Yes you can keep them for 2 days and fry.
🙂
You explain it so well in a simple and detailed manner. I love your recipes. Thanks for sharing indian food and making it possible for youngsters to try their hand in the kitchen. A big hug to you.
Welcome Neelam
Thanks much!
🙂
Can I make planner with full fat milk powder
I haven’t tried any time making paneer with milk powder. It should work.
Hi swathi,
First of all so much thanks for all ur receipes. Mostly I try ur receipes. And all turns good. Whenever I think for any recipe and go to ur blog and tries it undoubtedly. All r awesome??????
Welcome Samatha
Thanks for trying the recipes. Really glad to know they are helpful. Thanks again
🙂
It was great!!
Hii
omg…I tried it..awesome…I am writing this comment while eating it.
Thanks Vaishnavi
Glad to know you loved it.
🙂
Hello ma’am
I am a big fan of your recipes and the manner in which you put them up here. So easy to bring them out on the plate.
Would greatly appreciate if you post pictures of each step along with the text because some of the recipes I came across lack them. Thank you!
Hello Faiza
Glad to know you. Thanks a lot. Yes I will add the pictures soon. Sometimes due to time constraints I do not show the step by step photos and later forget to update them. Thanks for the mention i will do it. Wish you all a very happy new year.
🙂