39 Irresistible Paneer Recipes to Try Today

Paneer lovers, assemble! Here are 35+ unique, delicious, and easy paneer recipes for the whole family. From starters and paneer curries to rice dishes and desserts, you’re sure to find a new favorite paneer recipe in this collection.

a collage of 4 paneer recipes with text overlay

Paneer is one of those ingredients I always keep in the fridge. Versatile, high in protein, quick to cook, and loved by most family members, paneer works for breakfast, snacks, party starters, and comforting dinners. Because it adapts to so many flavors and techniques, it makes meal planning simple and fun.

This roundup brings together my favorite paneer recipes in one place. You’ll find crunchy starters perfect for entertaining, rich and comforting curries for weeknights and special occasions, satisfying rice dishes, and a few surprising desserts that prove how flexible paneer can be.

Most recipes use everyday pantry ingredients, so you won’t need anything obscure. Whether you’re new to cooking with paneer or you cook with it regularly, this collection should spark plenty of ideas.

Grab a block of paneer, pick a recipe that catches your eye, and get cooking. Bookmark this page for the next time you wonder what to make with paneer!

jump to section: paneer recipes

  • Paneer Snacks & Appetizer
  • Easy Paneer Curry Recipes
  • Paneer Rice Recipes
  • Desserts with Paneer

Paneer Snacks & Appetizer

an image of rajma paneer burger assembled and ready for serving

Air Fryer Rajma Paneer Burger

A cleaner, healthier homemade veg burger using rajma and paneer. This recipe shows you how to make juicy, flavorful veg burgers at home with minimal fuss.

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Chilli Paneer served on a platter

Street Style Chilli Paneer

Sweet, spicy, and tangy with soft, crispy paneer cubes — an irresistible street-style chilli paneer that’s easy to prepare at home.

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thecha paneer sandwich cut in half and ready to be served

Thecha Paneer Sandwich

Cheesy, garlicky, spicy, and creamy — a thecha paneer sandwich that makes a delicious breakfast or an energizing afternoon snack.

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air fryer paneer popcorn served on a white plate with accompaniments

Air Fryer Paneer Popcorn

Crispy on the outside and soft inside, paneer popcorn made in the air fryer is a tasty, healthier appetizer or casual party snack.

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an image of several paneer toasts served on a round white platter

Paneer Beetroot Toast

Tangy, herby, and vibrant — paneer beetroot toast is an easy, colorful appetizer for game nights or casual gatherings.

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paneer ghee roast served on banana leaf with neer dosa

Paneer Ghee Roast

A vegetarian take on the classic ghee roast. Dry-roasted spices are blended into a smooth paste and cooked in ghee to coat paneer cubes with an irresistible aroma and flavor.

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Naan bombs served on a platter with mint chutney and marigold flowers strewn about

Achaari Paneer Naan Bombs

Gooey, cheesy paneer stuffed inside small naan bombs and flavored with pickling spices — a true flavor explosion that’s great for parties.

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The pancakes topped with seeds, hung curd, sliced mangoes and served on a white plate.

Eggless Oatmeal Cottage Cheese (Paneer) Pancakes with Mango Yogurt

Fluffy, gluten-free oatmeal-pancakes made with cottage cheese (paneer). They’re eggless and pair beautifully with mango yogurt and nuts.

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a shot of hariyali paneer tikka on skewers placed on a white plate

Hariyali Paneer Tikka

A fresh, herb-forward take on paneer tikka made with straightforward ingredients that deliver bold flavors.

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Paneer tikka skewers garnished with mint, lemon and served on a white plate.

Tandoori Paneer Tikka in the Oven

An oven-roasted tandoori paneer tikka that recreates restaurant-style flavors at home with easy steps.

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The tikkis served with chutney, ketchup and Tetley green tea.

Healthy Aloo Paneer Tikki

Crispy, spiced aloo-paneer tikkis — a healthier appetizer that’s perfect for chilly evenings or when you have guests over.

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Many pieces of thread paneer served on a tissue paper lined plate

Crispy Thread Paneer

Crunchy paneer bites wrapped in cooked noodles and deep-fried for a take on an irresistible crunchy appetizer.

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Closeup of sabudana vada bombs stuffed with paneer stacked on top of one another

Sabudana Vada Bombs stuffed with Paneer

Sabudana vada stuffed with creamy paneer—hearty cutlets that work for breakfast, snacks, or fasting-friendly Navratri meals.

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Paneer pakora photographed two ways

Paneer Pakora Recipe 2 Ways

Super crispy paneer pakoras with soft paneer inside and a crunchy batter outside — two methods to make them deliciously every time.

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Easy Paneer Curry Recipes

Closeup of the palak paneer gravy to show the luxurious, rich curry base

Easy Palak Paneer Recipe

A quick and simple palak paneer that skips blanching and heavy spices but delivers a creamy, restaurant-style result in about 30 minutes.

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Paneer do pyaza served in a white bowl with accompaniments

Paneer Do Pyaza

A rich and tangy paneer dish loaded with sautéed onions and bold spices—perfect with naan or rice.

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Microwave Matar Paneer

A surprising and convenient matar paneer made mostly in the microwave — minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.

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Paneer bhurji in a black skillet.

Paneer Bhurji (Turmeric Cottage Cheese Scramble)

A quick one-pan paneer bhurji spiced with turmeric — an ideal Indian breakfast or light meal ready in about 15 minutes.

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a close up shot amritsari paneer bhurji being served on a plate

Amritsari Paneer Bhurji

A creamier, more indulgent version of bhurji using milk, spiced curd, and roasted besan for a rich texture and flavor.

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Paneer Butter Masala served in a black bowl with naan and sliced onions on the side

Restaurant Style Paneer Butter Masala

A luscious onion-tomato gravy enriched with cashews, poppy seeds, butter, and cream — soft paneer simmered to perfection for a crowd-pleasing main.

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paneer kali mirch gravy served in a bowl with cream drizzled on top

Paneer Kali Mirch

A creamy, mild black-pepper paneer curry that’s elegant, subtle, and popular with both adults and children.

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Dhaba style paneer masala in a kadhai with a wooden ladle

Dhaba Style Paneer Masala

A rustic, spicy paneer curry inspired by highway dhabas—robust flavors that pair well with rice, naan, or rotis.

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shot of matar paneer gravy in a white bowl with coriander sprinkled on top

Creamy Matar Paneer Curry

A comforting, home-style matar paneer that’s creamy, easy to follow, and ready in under 30 minutes.

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Picture of shahi paneer served in a black bowl with onions and naan on the side

Shahi Paneer

Velvety gravy and soft paneer cubes make Shahi Paneer a royal, crowd-pleasing dish. This Punjabi-style version has an orange hue and rich flavor.

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Healthy Paneer Makhani garnished with coriander and served with rice and a side of chopped onions in a white plate.

Healthy Paneer Makhani

A lighter version of paneer makhani that replaces heavy cream with yogurt for a thick, flavorful, lower-fat gravy.

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Picture of paneer lababdar served in a copper kadhai with naan on the side

Paneer Lababdar Recipe

A rich, restaurant-style paneer lababdar made creamy with almonds and cashews for a luscious but balanced gravy.

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matar paneer made using our homemade bhuna masala

Matar Paneer made with Bhuna Masala

A restaurant-style matar paneer made quickly using a bhuna masala base for deep, rounded flavors with minimal effort.

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The Healthy Palak Paneer Kofta Curry in a pan with cream drizzled on top

Healthy Palak Paneer Kofta Curry

Light paneer koftas simmered in a spinach curry with a tip to achieve a vibrant, restaurant-style green color without artificial coloring.

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Picture of saag paneer in the pan that it was cooked in with a spoon

Authentic Saag Paneer

A healthy, flavorful saag paneer using mustard greens or arugula with spinach. Gluten-free, ready in 30 minutes, and great with naan or parathas.

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Shaam savera kofta curry served on a platter

No Onion Garlic Shaam Savera Kofta

A special Shaam Savera kofta curry prepared without onion and garlic for a sattvic or festive option that still feels luxurious.

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Achari Paneer served in a copper steel bowl with rotis on the side

Spicy Achari Paneer

Paneer cooked in aromatic pickling spices for a tangy, spicy dish that surprises and delights the palate.

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Paneer Rice Recipes

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Matar Paneer Pulao

Aromatic pulao with peas and paneer — textural, comforting, and ideal for a fuss-free yet flavorful main dish.

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thecha paneer fried rice served in a steel plate

Thecha Paneer Fried Rice

A spicy, garlicky fried rice featuring paneer and thecha for a bold, satisfying one-pan meal.

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Paneer Biryani served on a grey plate with fried onions on the side

Paneer Makhani Biryani

A layered vegetarian biryani that combines paneer makhani gravy with fragrant basmati rice, mint, coriander, and fried onions for a memorable meal.

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Lal Paneer Biryani

A spicy, rich, and garlicky red-paneer biryani that ranks among the best vegetarian biryanis — bold, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

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Desserts with Paneer

Paneer chocolate pudding topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder in a dessert bowl

Paneer Chocolate Pudding

A rich, creamy chocolate pudding that uses paneer for protein and texture — very chocolatey and surprisingly simple to make.

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rose kacha golla garnished with dried rose petal and served on a leaf square

Rose Kacha Golla

A moist, floral take on the Bengali sweet sandesh — delicate rose notes and a melt-in-the-mouth texture make it perfect for festive occasions.

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Orange kalakand served in shot glasses and topped with orange segments and chopped nuts

Orange Kalakand

A creamy, zesty, and wonderfully moist variation of the classic kalakand that’s ideal for festive celebrations.

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There you have it — a comprehensive collection of paneer recipes across starters, curries, rice dishes, and desserts. Whether you want something quick and simple or a special dish to impress guests, this list has options for every occasion. Enjoy cooking and experimenting with paneer!