Kurkure Paneer Pakora/Nuggets | फेमस कुरकुरे पनीर के पकोड़े | Kunal Kapur Recipes | Holi Spl Snacks

Chef Kunal Kapur Paneer & Dairy 40 Mins 4 Servings 1.9M views Jul 23, 2022

Super Crunchy Paneer Pakora Fingers | Kurkure Paneer Pakora | Crispy Fried Paneer with Veg Dip Kurkure aur woh bhi paneer ke? Sunte hi muh mein paani aagya na! Aaj ki recipe mein hai bhaut saare flavors aur bhaut saara poshan bhi. This Holi, add a bombardment of flavors with this amazing recipe.

Ingredients & Measurements

Carefully curated and proportioned for authentic flavor balance. Adjust chillies and salt to your personal taste.

Main Ingredients

PANEER MARINATION -
Paneer (पनीर) – 200gms
Salt (नमक) – a pinch
Turmeric (हल्दी) – ½ tsp
Chilli powder (लाल मिर्च पाउडर) – 1 tsp
Chaat masala (चाट मसाला) – 1 tsp
Black salt (काला नमक) – ½ tsp
Coriander, chopped (धनिया) – 1tbsp
Kasoori Methi Powder (कसूरी मेथी) – ½ tsp

FOR BATTER

Besan (बेसन) – ½ cup
Salt (नमक) – to taste
Turmeric (हल्दी) – ¼ tsp
Chilli Powder (लाल मिर्च पाउडर) – 1 tsp
Chaat Masala (चाट मसाला) – 2 tsp
Green Chilli, Chopped (हरी मिर्च) – 1no
Ajwain (अजवायन) – ½ tsp
Ginger, Chopped (अदरक) – 1 tsp
Garam Masala (गरम मसाला) – ¼ tsp
Water (पानी) – 200ml

FOR COATING

Cornflakes (कॉर्न फ्लेक्स) – 2cups
Chaat Masala (चाट मसाला) – a generous pinch
Oil (तेल) – to deep fry

For Veg Dip

Mayonnaise (मेयोनेज़) – ½ cup
Onion (प्याज़), chopped – 2 tbsp
Tomato (टमाटर), chopped – 2 tbsp
Cucumber (खीरा), chopped – 1 tbsp
Salt (नमक) – to taste
Coriander (धनिया), chopped – 1 tbsp
Green Chilli, Chopped (हरी मिर्च) – 1no
Chaat masala (चाट मसाला) – 1 tsp

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1
Ingredient Preparation: Wash, prep, and accurately measure all fresh ingredients, aromatics, and spice blends as listed in the ingredients section.
2
Sautéing & Blooming Spices: Heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium flame. Add whole spices and aromatics (ginger, garlic, green chillies) to bloom their essential oils until fragrant.
3
Building the Flavor Base: Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent or golden brown. Stir in tomatoes and ground spices (turmeric, coriander, chilli powder), cooking on medium-low heat until the oil begins to separate from the masala.
4
Simmering to Perfection: Incorporate the primary ingredients (vegetables, paneer, lentils, or proteins) and simmer gently with warm water or broth until tender and deeply infused with flavor.
5
Finishing & Garnish: Adjust seasoning with salt, sprinkle freshly crushed roasted kasoori methi and garam masala, and garnish generously with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Serve piping hot with roti, paratha, or fragrant basmati rice.

Chef Kunal's Pro Secret Tip

Always soak fresh paneer cubes in warm, lightly salted water for 10 minutes before cooking. If pan-frying paneer, do so for no more than 60–90 seconds per side on medium-high heat to preserve its velvety, melt-in-the-mouth texture and prevent rubberiness.

Recipe FAQs & Expert Advice

How long can I store leftover Kurkure Paneer Pakora/Nuggets?

You can store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating, warm on medium-low heat on the stovetop and add 2–3 tablespoons of warm water if the gravy has thickened in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute paneer with extra-firm pressed tofu or roasted plant-based paneer alternatives. Replace dairy butter/ghee with mustard oil, coconut oil, or refined groundnut oil.

What is the key technique to get restaurant-style flavor in this dish?

Focus on blooming whole spices in hot oil first, patiently sautéing the onion-tomato masala until oil separates, and finishing with a pinch of crushed roasted kasoori methi and freshly ground garam masala right before serving.