11 Simple Paneer Recipes For Kids To Try

Image: Shutterstock

Paneer or cottage cheese is the favorite of most children. This high-protein food is easy to prepare and is readily available in most supermarkets. So if you’ve got this cheese stacked in the fridge, here are some paneer recipes for toddlers. This ingredient is rich in many vitamins and minerals. You can also incorporate it into most dishes since its natural taste absorbs the flavors. So, if you plan to introduce your child to a balanced diet, we say adding homemade paneer to their meals would benefit them. Here are our easy-to-prepare and delicious paneer recipes that your child may like.

10 Paneer Recipes For Kids

1. Paneer Pakoda:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 250 grams of paneer, cubed
• 1 teaspoon of carom seeds
• 6 tablespoons of gram flour
• ½ teaspoon of cooking soda
• 1 teaspoon of dry mango powder
• 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt as per taste
• 2-3 cups oil for deep frying
• ½ tablespoon of oil for the batter

How To:

1. Combine gram flour with fennel seed, salt, cooking soda, turmeric powder, mango powder and carom seed. Then add water and mix to make a smooth batter.
2. Add ½ tablespoon of oil and mix again.
3. Heat a frying pan with oil.
4. Coat the paneer cubes in the batter one by one and then slide into the oil. Make sure that the flame is medium while you fry them.
5. Once the pakoras turn golden yellow, take out from the oil and place on the absorbent napkin.
6. Serve hot along with some mint chutney or tomato ketchup.

Quick tip

You may skip the cooking soda, if you wish. The soda does not add to the taste. It only makes the pakora puff up and seem visually appealing.

2. Kale Paneer:

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You Will Need:

• 1 pound of fresh kale, cleaned and chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 cup of paneer, cubed
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 6 tablespoons of whole milk
• ½ teaspoon of garam masala
• ¼ teaspoon of cayenne
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

How To:

1. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet and fry the paneer cubes until golden brown. Transfer to the plate and leave it aside.
2. In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Then add kale and salt and cook for two to three minutes. Reduce the heat and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes, until the kale softens.
4. Now stir in the milk, cayenne, and garam masala.
5. Add the paneer cubes to the kale and cook for another 3 minutes.

This is one of the tastiest paneer dishes for kids and is full of nutrition. Make sure you serve it hot.

3. Paneer Cutlet:

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You Will Need:

• 400 ml water
• ¾ cup of grated paneer
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon of coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon of garam masala powder
• ¼ teaspoon of amchur (dried mango) powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
• Salt
• Mint and coriander leaves – 2 tablespoons each
• Cooking oil – to fry
• ¼ cup of corn flour
• 1 cup of Bread crumbs and powdered corn flakes

How To:

1. Heat some oil in a wok and sauté the chopped onions. Add ginger and garlic paste and sauté for a few minutes. Add the grated paneer and mix well.
2. Now add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, amchuur(dried mango) powder and garam masala powder. Add all-purpose flour and mix again.
3. Lastly, add the coriander, mint leaves, and mix well. Leave it aside to cool.
4. In a meantime, combine water and corn flour and make a batter.
5. Make small cutlets from with the paneer mixture. Dunk the cutlets in the corn flour mixture and then in the bread crumbs.
6. Shallow fry the cutlets until it turns golden brown in color. Do not forget to include this yummy paneer recipe for kids.

Quick tip

Replace the breadcrumbs with rolled oats for a gluten-free alternative. Use the ground oats to coat your cutlets after processing them in a blender.

4. Paneer And Corn Kebab:

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You Will Need:

• 100 grams of paneer, crumbled
• ¼ cup corn Kernels
• 3 tablespoons of grated carrots
• Salt to taste
• Oil to bake
• 3 tablespoons of fresh coriander, finely chopped
• A handful of raisins
• A handful of cashews
• ¼th cup of bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 teaspoon of green chilies
• Dry Spices:
• ½ teaspoon Amchur
• 1 tablespoon of red chili powder
• 2 teaspoons fenugreek powder

How To:

1. Process the corn for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture is powdery.
2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except salt and cashews.
3. Divide into equal portions and flatten like kebabs. Press a half cashew into each of the kebabs.
4. Refrigerate for 25 to 30 minutes and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until both sides are brown.

Quick tip

You can eat these delicious kebabs with tomato sauce or a mint dip. Or just get creative and use them as patties for burgers.

5. Paneer Croquettes:

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You Will Need:

• 1 cup grated paneer
• 1 cup boiled potatoes
• 1 medium size onion, chopped
• 2 small green chilies
• ½ cup of cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• Black pepper, to sprinkle
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup corn flour
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed
• Vegetable oil for deep frying
• ¼ cup of walnuts, chopped
• ¼ cup of golden raisins, chopped

Stuffing:

How To:

1. Mix the grated paneer and potatoes.
2. Add lemon juice, salt, onion and green chilies to the mixture. Then add the chopped cilantro and leave it aside.
3. Make small balls from the mixture and stuff the chopped raisins and cashew.
4. Roll the balls in corn flour mixture and then in the eggs.
5. Deep fry the balls until it turns nice golden in color.

6. Paneer Roll:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 cup paneer, crumbled
• ½ cup of mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup of bread crumbs
• ½ cup of onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and chili powder, to taste

How To:

1. Mix all-purpose flour with a little water and leave it aside.
2. Mix paneer, onion, salt, cheese and chili powder in a bowl.
3. Roll the mixture with your hand.
4. Now dip the roll in Maida mixture and roll in the breadcrumbs.
5. Deep fry the roll until golden brown and serve with ketchup.

Another great paneer snacks for kids you can try easily.

7. Paneer And Cucumber Salad:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 ½ cups of cucumber finely chopped
• ½ cup paneer cut into small pieces
• 2 boiled potatoes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons of chat masala
• Salt to taste

How To:

1. Mix all the ingredients well and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Serve chilled to kids.

8. Paneer Pasta:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 100 grams pasta, cooked
• 2 tablespoons of paneer, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon of tomato sauce
• ¼ teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1 pinch of garam masala powder
• A handful of coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon oil
• Salt as per taste

How To:

1. Heat oil over medium flame and add onion, and ginger garlic paste. Sauté until golden brown
2. Add tomato, tomato sauce and stir well. Cook for a minute.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of chopped paneer and mix well.
4. Add 4 teaspoons of water and add the cooked pasta.
5. Stir until you mix it evenly. Reduce the flame and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add coriander leaves, garam masala and mix again. Garnish with grated paneer and serve.

9. Paneer Puff:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry
• 1 cup of paneer, scrambled
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
• ¼ cup of green peas
• ½ teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 green chili, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon of mustard seeds
• ⅛ teaspoon of turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon of ginger, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon of coriander powder
• 2 pinch of garam masala powder
• ¼ teaspoon of chat masala
• ¼ teaspoon of black salt
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt, to taste

How To:

1. In a pan, add oil and then the mustard and cumin seeds. Now add the chopped ginger and green chili and sauté for 1 minute.
2. Add crumbled paneer, green peas and cook for 1 minute.
3. Now add all the spices, salt and cook for 3 min.
4. Add cilantro and lemon and remove from the heat.
5. Open the puff pastry and divide into two squares.
6. Place 2 tablespoons of paneer mixture on each square and fold to form a triangle.
7. Seal the edges using a fork and bake for 15 minutes at 400F.

10. Tandoori Paneer:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 400 grams of paneer, cut into cubes
• Marinade
• 200 grams of Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of mustard oil
• 1 large lemon
• 5cm piece of ginger grated
• 2 teaspoons of garam masala
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tablespoon of dried fenugreek leaves
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, crushed

How To:

1. Process ginger, garlic and chili in a mixer grinder.
2. Place the paneer cubes in a shallow dish and add all ginger garlic paste. Now pour the lemon juice and mustard oil.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients with yogurt to make a paste. Add the yogurt to paneer.
4. Leave it to marinate for 1 hour.
5. Transfer the paneer cubes to an oven tray and bake for 15 minutes. Skew the paneer cubes onto the bamboo sticks with onion and pepper and cook on the barbecue as kebabs.

11. Paneer tikka:

You Will Need:

• 100g paneer
• 3 tablespoon thick curd or hung curd
• 1 teaspoon chickpea flour (besan)
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• ½ teaspoon green chili paste (optional)
• 1 teaspoon oil
• Cubed onion, capsicum and tomatoes (one each)
• Salt as per taste

How To:

1. Take curd, besan, cumin powder, ginger paste, chili paste, salt, and oil in a bowl and mix well to prepare a marinade.
2. Cut paneer into cubes and add to the marinade. Add the cubed vegetables as well. Coat everything evenly with marinade.
3. Keep this mixture in the refrigerator to marinate for at least two hours.
4. After two hours, bring the paneer to room temperature and skew it on bamboo skewers alternating with the vegetables.
5. Add a little oil to a non-stick fry pan placed on medium heat.
6. Cook them to a golden brown finish.
7. Serve warm

Paneer is a delicious milk product that can be included in a toddler’s diet. Here we have listed a few paneer recipes for toddlers you could try. We have included healthy recipes that can be served along with the main meal or as snacks that your child could munch on between their breaks. If your child doesn’t like cottage cheese, these recipes will change their preferences. Most of these recipes are easy to cook, and hence you can prepare them in a few minutes. You may also ask your child to help you prepare these delicious dishes as it may tempt them to eat the paneer.

Infographic: Tasty Paneer Snacks For Children

Paneer is a favorite dish of most vegetarians. It is also known as cottage cheese and is widely used in Indian dishes as it is rich in protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Read this infographic to find easy-to-prepare delicious paneer snacks for your children.

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Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Key Pointers

• Paneer is a versatile ingredient in Indian cuisine that is high in protein, minerals, and vitamins, and can balance the flavors in a recipe.
• Paneer can be used in various forms, including scrambled, cubed, or chopped.
• It is commonly used as a binding agent in deep-fried snacks including pakora, cutlet, croquettes, and rolls.
• Paneer is also frequently used in the preparation of curries, salads, and tandoor dishes.
• Cottage cheese pairs well with ingredients such as kale, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and corn.
• To enhance the flavors of paneer dishes, ingredients such as yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, fenugreek, cumin, black pepper, chat masala, cilantro, fennel, and carom seeds can be added.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

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Crispy Paneer Fingers are the perfect evening treat for your children! Watch this instructional video to learn how to make this delicious homemade snack.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Dairy in Your Child’s Diet.
   https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/dairy-in-your-childs-diet
2. Healthy Feeding for your Toddler (2-3 years old).
   https://www.childrenscolorado.org/globalassets/healthcare-professionals/clinical-pathways/healthy-feeding-for-your-toddler-2-3-english.pdf
3. High Calorie Diet for Infants and Toddlers.
   https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/343
4. Lactose Intolerance.
   https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/lactose-intolerance.html

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Dr. Sonal DhemlaPhD

Dr. Sonal Dhemla, a gold medalist with four years of experience, is working with a pediatric hospital as a consultant dietitian/clinical nutritionist. She founded ‘Dr. Sonal’s Nutrittude’, a diet clinic specializing in child nutrition, complementary feeding, juvenile diabetes, celiac disease, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, growth issues among children, different deficiencies, and much more. She also works in...more

Sindusha MSMSc (Food & Nutrition)

Sindusha is a clinical nutritionist with over two years of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She did her Masters in Food Science and Nutrition from Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women and has qualified UGC-NET. She interned as a quality control analyst and as a dietitian during her graduation. She was a part of several...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

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Nida holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Genetics and Medical Laboratory Techniques from Goa University. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a laboratory technician. She began content writing during her college years and has been featured as a co-author in a children's short story compilation book. She has written across different niches, including Health...more