Air Fried Malai Paneer

Malai Paneer; a delicious appetizer made in the Air Fryer that is easy to make and tastes just like the one made on a grill.

Made using chunks of paneer and vegetables with a handful of other ingredients, this recipe is a star for any party or brunch!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Karoun Cheese. All opinions are my own.

Paneer is one of our favorite ingredients. In appetizers, mains and even desserts, we use it extensively in the kitchen. From this paneer board as an appetizer to chili paneer noodles and Akbari paneer we use paneer extensively.

Considered healthy and always delicious, paneer is Vegetarian friendly, good for Keto and gluten-free. And it is easy to make it in so many wonderful ways.

I often share paneer recipes that everyone loves. Today I am sharing an amazing recipe that comes together quickly and can be made in the air fryer; Malai Paneer.

Jump to:

• What is Malai Paneer
• Why this recipe works
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make this recipe
• What paneer to use in this recipe
• Expert Tips and Notes
• Recipe FAQs
• Pairings
• More Paneer recipes to try
• Air Fryer Malai Paneer

What is Malai Paneer

Malai Paneer is a popular appetizer using malai i.e. cream and paneer i.e. Indian cottage cheese. It is a delicious recipe with not many ingredients.

The way they serve it in restaurants is either off the skewers or in a plate with cilantro chutney and ketchup.

I changed that up and made a tray bake using the same ingredients. Plus, I make it in the air fryer; making it super mess-free and easy.

The recipe uses a mix of vegetables along with paneer to make a perfectly nutritious bowl. Plus, the entire mix works brilliantly to make naan wraps or even kathi rolls.

The marinade for the recipe is yogurt and cream spiced with spices. That way the paneer is not at all dry and feels moist and perfect.

Moreover the same recipe works as an appetizer or as a main course. Serve it with chutney for an appetizer or with naan or parathas for a meal. One recipe, double results!

Why this recipe works

• This recipe of Malai Paneer comes together with just a bowl and an Air fryer.
• The same taste as skewed paneer and vegetables, minus all the effort of chopping evenly and skewing them up. This recipe is super mess-free and easy.
• We take only 30 minutes of active time to put this together. The rest of the time is just the marinating time for the paneer and vegetables.
• It is easy to make it just before serving or ahead of time. Just heat up the paneer bake before serving and it is fresh as when freshly made.
• This recipe works well as an appetizer or as a main course. We enjoy it best as an appetizer with sliced onions, chaat masala and cilantro chutney.
• The same recipe can be used to make malai paneer on a grill, in the oven or on a stove. It will work equally well.
• The marinade for the paneer is a simple one. It works wonderfully with paneer, tofu, vegetables or even baby potatoes.

This recipe simplifies one process of grilling and yet one quick step helps infuse all the flavors like the grilled one. Read on to find out.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Paneer: Paneer is the first ingredient in the recipe. I like to use store bought paneer for the recipe as it stays well even after air frying it. I love Gopi brand Paneer for my recipes. Plus, it has very little moisture when compared to homemade paneer making it a perfect fit.
• Vegetables: Mixed vegetables make a great addition to the recipe. Plus, they are high in nutrition. I use onion, pepper, zucchini, mushroom, corn and baby corn here. It makes a great combination with paneer. Peas, tomatoes, sweet peppers and eggplant can also be added. The vegetables can be skipped completely to make the dish with just paneer too.
• Yogurt: We use hung curd or plain Greek yogurt to make the marinade. Use a yogurt that has the minimum water content so the marinade is not runny. I like to use homemade yogurt kept in a few napkins for an hour or so to drain. I use this recipe to make mine.
• Heavy Cream: As the name suggests, the recipe is for Malai Paneer. So we use a small amount of heavy cream in the marinade. While it tastes amazing and gives a lot of creaminess, the same can be made without the cream too. In that case we use only yogurt to make the marinade.
• Spices: We use basic spices like salt, red chili powder, garam masala, kasoori methi, dhania jeera powder and amchur (dry mango powder). However, adding tandoori masala, turmeric, fresh methi and cumin powder works too. These are not required if using garam masala.
• Additionally we use cilantro and red chili flakes to top the paneer, and sliced onions to serve with it. It brings the entire dish together in a great way.

See the recipe card for detailed ingredient information, measurements and nutrition.

How to make this recipe

1- In a bowl add yogurt and cream.

2- Add all the dry spices and kasoori methi.

3- Mix well using a whisk or spoon.

4- Add in the paneer and vegetables.

5- Mix to coat them well.

6- Then cover and let it stand for 30-40 minutes. Remove the cover.

7- Grease a baking tray.

8- Add the marinated veggies and paneer to the tray.

9- Place in a preheated air fryer at 375 F for 10-12 minutes. Mix everything once halfway through the cooking.

10- Remove from air fryer and set aside.

Pro Tip: While the recipe is ready at this stage; smoking it with some coal makes it just like the restaurant version off the grill!

11- Place a foil or cabbage leaf on it.

12- On an open flame heat a piece of coal. When it is hot transfer it over the paneer.

13- Pour a spoon of ghee and cover. Rest for 5-10 minutes.

14- Open and discard the coal and cabbage. Serve with cilantro, sliced onions, naan and spicy chutney.

What paneer to use in this recipe

For this recipe we would love the softest paneer possible. I like to use Gopi Paneer as it is always fresh, perfectly made and easy to cut into cubes.

I use it from the refrigerator and it does not need any further processing. However, if you are storing it in the freezer, make sure to thaw it before making the recipe. Only then will it be soft and not turn chewy.

Homemade paneer works well in many recipes but I find it too soft for this. It does give away or make the dish soggy due to it's high water content. I generally refrain from using it in this recipe.

Expert Tips and Notes

• Paneer, yogurt and cream are all vegetarian but not vegan. To make the recipe vegan substitute paneer for tofu and use vegan yogurt and coconut cream in the marinade.
• Add or subtract vegetables based on availability and preferences. Adding peas, tomatoes, sweet peppers and eggplant works well. Chop them to similar size to ensure they cook evenly.
• The step using charcoal is optional but highly recommended. It helps bring the authentic flavor to the paneer.
• Serve it as an appetizer or with naan as a main course dish. The recipe works well for both. To reheat place in the air fryer at 360 F for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Pairings

While this Malai Paneer is great as is, it can be served with so many sides, salads, breads etc. Here are some of the best pairings for it.

More Paneer recipes to try

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