Paneer Popcorn Recipe ( Popcorn Paneer Recipe)

Last Updated On: Oct 23, 2026 by Aarthi

Paneer popcorn also known as popcorn paneer is a simple snack recipe. The paneer is cut into small pieces, seasoned with a few basic spices, coated and fried until golden. The crunchy fried paneer will be a favorite snack with kids.

Popcorn paneer

This is my lil one’s favourite snack. It is a paneer popcorn and it taste so yummy. Crunchy and soft. You have to try this for your kids. Since I made this for my little one, I didn’t add much spices and kept it plain and simple. She loved it so much.

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This is an easy snack to make at home with a few basic ingredients and is perfect for kids snack boxes, evening snacks or parties. Serve these crispy paneer popcorn hot with tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, green chutney.

About Popcorn Paneer

Kids love anything that comes in small, bite sized pieces and these paneer popcorn are always a favorite at home. My little one enjoys them, so I often make them when I have paneer in the fridge. Check my paneer fingers, paneer 65.

I have kept the seasoning simple with oregano, chilli flakes and salt. You can adjust the spices depending on who you are making it for. For kids, I usually kept it mild, while you can add extra chilli or pepper for adults.

I have used all purpose flour and breadcrumbs for the coating. The flour helps the coating stick to the paneer, while the breadcrumbs give it a nice crunch when fried. You can also use panko breadcrumbs if you prefer an extra crispier coating.

The important part is not to fry the paneer for too long. Once the coating turns golden, remove them from the oil so the paneer stays soft inside. Serve immediately hot with ketchup, mayonnaise or your favorite dip.

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Ingredients

Paneer : Use fresh, soft homemade paneer for this recipe. Cut it into small bite sized cubes so they are easy to coat and cook evenly.
Oregano and chilli flakes: Oregano and chillies adds flavour. You can adjust the quantity based on your taste.
Salt : Salt added to season the paneer and coating. Adjust it according to your taste.
All purpose flour : Plain flour is mixed with water to make a batter for coating the paneer.
Bread crumbs : Bread crumbs give the paneer a crispy golden coating when fried. You can also use panko crumbs for a more crispy texture.
Oil : Use any neutral oil for frying the paneer. Sunflower, vegetable or canola oil work well.

Step by Step Pictures

1)take paneer in a bowl. Make sure to cube them. You should cut them into small pieces so it looks like popcorn size.

2)Add in red chilli flakes, oregano, salt into the paneer and mix well.

3)Take plain flour and salt in a bowl.

4)Add in water and mix well to a smooth batter.

5)Take marinated paneer, flour batter, breadcrumbs to coat the paneer.

6)Take each paneer cubes and dip into the batter.

7)Now add them to the breadcrumbs and coat it really well.

8)You can place this into the fridge for 10 minutes before frying.

9)Drop the breadcrumbs coated paneer in hot oil and fry till golden brown.

10)Strain using a slotted spoon.

11)Serve hot.

Expert Tips

Don’t make the batter too thin. The batter should coat the paneer well without dripping off.
Finish coating the paneer pieces before you start frying. This makes the process easier and less messy.
You can refrigerate the coated paneer for a few minutes before frying.
To make it healthy, you can air fry the coated paneer pieces.
Adjust the chilli flakes according to your spice preference.

Storage and Serving

Paneer popcorn tastes best when served hot and fresh. You can refrigerate the coated paneer or freeze them. Whenever ready to serve, you can fry them directly in hot oil. Serve paneer popcorn hot with ketchup, mayonnaise, green chutney.

FAQ

Q. Can I make paneer popcorn without deep frying ?

Yes. You can air fry or bake them, though the texture may slightly vary from deep fried popcorn.

Q. Why is my paneer popcorn not crispy ?

This happens if the batter is too thick or the oil may not be hot enough. Also, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying.

Q. Can I use frozen paneer ?

Yes, you can use frozen paneer. Thaw the paneer completely before using. For softer paneer, soak it in warm water for a few minutes, then drain and use.

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