It is a delicious and crunchy Indian snack, prepared from paneer, or Indian cottage cheese-a perfect snack for kids, family gathering, or even as an appetizer at the party. With the crispy exterior of the popcorn and soft flavored inside, Paneer popcorn has all these while being a very popular vegetarian alternative to the chicken popcorn, thereby being a healthy snacking option or an exciting starter for any meal.
But let's see how to make paneer popcorn, tips for frying paneer without it melting, and frequently asked questions related to paneer as a snack in this blog.
What is Paneer Popcorn?
Paneer popcorn is a simple yet incredibly scrumptious paneer snacks, with paneer cubes all coated in a seasoned batter and fried to golden perfection. It is similar to fried chicken popcorn but derives a vegetarian twist in soft protein-rich paneer. Just serve it with some chutneys or dipping sauces for the best effect: mint chutney, ketchup, or a yogurt dip are all great options.
Paneer Popcorn Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients:
200 grams paneer, cubed
Ingredients:
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup cornflour
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (maida)
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
Salt, as required
Water, as required
Oil for frying
Fresh coriander (optional) for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Batter:
Mix all-purpose flour, cornflour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add little water to the mix so that you get a smooth batter just thick enough to coat the entire paneer cubes nicely.
2. Paneer Coating
Coat the paneer cubes with the batter evenly. Set it aside for 5 minutes to let the flavors seep in.
3. Breadcrumbs Coating
Lay out the breadcrumbs on a plate. For each coated batter, roll it in the breadcrumbs so that it fully coats it to get that crunchy texture.
4. Paneer Fry:
Heat oil in a deep frying pan. When the oil is hot, put the paneer cubes in the oil coated one by one with breadcrumbs. Fry them until golden brown on all sides. Sometimes turn them so that they are cooked evenly from all sides.
5. Drain Excess Oil:
Take out the fried paneer popcorn and put them on a paper towel for the excess oil to drain out.
6. Serve Hot :
Serve the paneer popcorn hot with preferred dipping sauces, be it mint chutney or ketchup. You can also garnish it with some fresh coriander leaves if you want.
FAQs
Is paneer a healthy snack?
Absolutely, paneer makes for an excellent healthy paneer starters for anyone, especially vegetarians. It's full of protein and calcium, so it will get plenty of healthy fats for perfect nutritional balance while also filling you up.
Because it is low in carbohydrates, paneer is good to eat if you are dieting low-carb or keto. Of course, moderation helps in the diet of any food, especially fried paneer that might add calorie intake because it's fried in oil.
2. How to fry paneer without melting?
Paneer tends to soften when exposed to high heat, but it can still hold its shape if handled well. How to fry paneer without melting:
Fry without melting.
Fresh, firm paneer is less likely to melt when frying.
Pat dry the paneer cubes before frying to remove any extra moisture.
Fry the paneer on medium heat. If the oil is very hot, the paneer would melt or crumble.
Apply a coat of batter or bread crumbs to the paneer before frying. Then, the protective layer is formed during frying.
3. Should paneer be soaked before frying?
Soak paneer in lukewarm water if you wish, but this is optional as soaking does help soften paneer, especially when it is store-bought and rather firm.
You can soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes so that they become softer and juicier. After soaking, pat them dry with a paper towel so that they do not splatter when deep-fried.
4. How do you keep paneer from melting?
To not melt paneer:
• Fry on medium heat instead of high, since pan cooking makes paneer overcooked.
• Fresh paneer must be used; older paneer tends to fall off easily.
• If you are adding paneer to curry or sauces, lightly fry it or sear it first so a protective coating forms outside, which keeps the middle less mushy and crumbly.
Nutrition Information: Paneer Popcorn
Paneer is a good source of protein, calcium, and healthy fats. An approximate nutritional breakdown of one serving (100 grams) of paneer popcorn is as follows:
Nutrient | Amount |
Calories | 250-300 kcal |
Protein | 12-14 grams |
Fat | 18-20 grams |
Carbohydrates | 10-12 grams |
Other Nutrients | 1-2 grams |
Paneer is nutrient-rich, but do keep in mind that frying makes it calorie-dense because of oil intake in the process of cooking. Use shallow frying or baking to save calories if you insist on a healthier version.
Paneer Popcorn Variations
Paneer popcorn can be varied by many methods to cater to different tastes:
1. Spicy Paneer Popcorn: Add more red chilies or chopped green chilies to the batter for an additional kick of spice.
2. Paneer Malai Popcorn: Marinate the paneer in a creamy yogurt and malai mixture before frying for a richer flavor.
3. Baked Paneer Popcorn: A healthy version could be done by coating the paneer with breadcrumbs and putting it in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes or when crispy.
4. Paneer Nuggets: To make paneer popcorn into paneer nuggets, cut the paneer into pieces a little bigger than popcorn and serve them with a cheesy dip.
Final Say
This is a fun, delicious, and nutritious snack both for adults and children. Whether you are serving it as an appetizer, a snack, or party food, this versatile dish can be adapted to suit various taste buds. It will depend entirely on your frying techniques for the perfect crunchy texture, with paneer soft and fluffy inside.
If you wish it much less oily, then shallow fry or bake is the option you can try. Whichever cooking method is adopted, this paneer popcorn is sure to be a show stopper at your party!
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