Paneer 65

Paneer 65 is a popular restaurant style appetizer or starter perfect for parties and get together. Paneer 65 is made by marinating paneer, dipping them in flour batter and then deep frying it. Paneer 65 recipe with step by step pictures and video for easy reference.

Paneer 65 is one of the most popular starters in restaurants as it is loved by all. I have recreate d restaurant style paneer 65 however this recipe uses no fancy ingredients hence it is a simple home style easy paneer 65 recipe. Do try and enjoy!

About Paneer 65

Paneer 65 is a dry starter or appetizer perfect for parties. In many hotels paneer 65 is misunderstood and a chinese version is served with soya and chill sauce. So we always end up adding a phrase ‘its  crispy like pakoda’ while ordering paneer 65.  As there is a semi gravy version of paneer 65 there is always this confusion, But what we like is the dry crispy version of paneer 65 which I am sharing here.

Paneer 65 can be either deep fried or shallow fried or baked or even airfried. Paneer 65 can be had as a starter or appetizer. When I make it at home I make it often as a starter or even sidedish for lunch.

I have tasted Paneer 65 in many restaurants as gugu loves it we order it often, when we dine out. Though he loves eating paneer 65 in any hotel, his most favorite is the one from Annapoorna. So my target was to achieve a recipe which was very close to it and yes I nailed it finally after few trials and yes only after I was completely satisfied with the results I am posting it here..

Paneer 65 Ingredients

• Paneer : Use fresh soft paneer for best results. If the paneer is aged and is deep fried paneer will become rubbery.
• Spices : Spice powders like red chilli powder, garam masala powder and pepper powder are used here.Instead of adding colour you can add kashmiri red chilli powder to get that attractive look.
• Flour : Maida and cornflour are used as binding agent. I have replaced maida with wheat flour too and it works well. Though you won’t get that perfect hotel taste, it will still taste good only.

More paneer recipes

• Paneer makhani
• Paneer fry
• Matar paneer
• Chilli paneer
• Paneer butter masala

More 65 recipes

• Gobi 65
• Baby corn 65
• Chilli paneer
• Paneer pulao
• Paneer fried rice

If you have any more questions about this Paneer 65 recipe do mail me at [email protected] In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

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How to make Paneer 65

Marinating paneer

1.To begin with first to a mixing bowl add paneer along with ingredients listed under ‘For marinade’.

2.Mix until the spices are coated well.

Preparing flour batter

3.To another mixing bowl – add the ingredients listed under ‘for the batter’.

4.Mix this well first.

5.Add water little by little to form a slightly thickish batter.

6.Not too thick or not too thin.It should be thiner than idli batter consistency.

Coating paneer with batter

7.Add few paneer pieces into the batter, few at a time.

8.Coat it well using a fork. Remove excess batter.

Frying paneer

9.Add it to preheated oil.

10.Do not turn over at once. Leave it for few seconds then turn over.

11.If it sticks break it.

12.Turn over and fry well.

13.Fry until golden brown.

Paneer 65 ready!

14.Remove and add next batch.

15.Repeat to finish. Finally add curry leaves and green chillies and fry until crisp.

16.Garnish with it paneer 65. Enjoy!

Crispy restaurant style Paneer 65 ready!

Expert Tips

• Make sure to mix spices well with paneer otherwise it will be bland.
• I did not add any artificial colouring, instead used kashmiri chilli powder to get that beautiful orangish red colour.
• I usually separate while deep frying itself if it sticks to get perfect shaped pieces just like in restaurnts. But you can seperate later after frying too.
• Adding all the paneer and mixing with batter can easily break paneer. So I would suggest to add few at a time coat well then add to hot oil.
• You can adjust spice level according to your preference.
• For gluten free version you can use cornflour and riceflour(replace with maida).
• If the batter is too thin then it will not coat the paneer well, if its too thick it will not be crispy.So make sure to make the perfect consistency batter, add water accordingly.
• Do not skip cooking soda as it gives the perfect texture. Without soda paneer 65 will be slightly hard.

Variations

• You can either deep fry or shallow fry in a tawa too.
• Baking or airfrying is another option. But as we make this only occassionally, I prefer deep frying method as it gives perfect crisp texture.
• You can either cube the paneer as shown here or cut into strips or even small triangles.
• You can use fresh or frozen paneer. I used fresh. If using frozen thaw it first, soak in hot water for few mins then proceed.

Serving and Storage

• You can serve paneer 65 as a starter or appetizer.
• You can serve it s a side dish for pulao or fried rice too.
• Sprinkle a pinhch of chat masala powder while serving.
• If you do not want to use maida then replace with wheat flour. There is not much of visible and taste difference.
• Goes well with onion rings and lemon wedges.
• You can marinade paneer with spices and refrigerate a day ahead. But prepare the batter only when deep frying to get best perfect results.

FAQ’s

1.What is Paneer 65?

Paneer 65 is a dry crispy starter or appetizer made by marinating paneer in flour and spices batter then deep frying it until crispy and golden.

2.How to make Paneer 65?

To begin with first marinade paneer with spice powders and few other ingredients along with salt, Set it aside. Next prepare a batter along with maida, cornflour, salt, yogurt, lemon juice etc. Dip and coat each paneer piece into the batter, remove excess add it hot oil and deep fry until crisp. Fry curry leaves, green chillies and garnish with it while serving. Serve with onion rings and lemon wedges.

3.Is paneer 65 and paneer fry the same?

More or less same. The main difference between paneer 65 and paneer fry is the batter ingredients. Paneer fry does not use any flour whereas paneer 65 uses maida and cornflour.

4.My Paneer 65 is not crispy. Why?

Even after using the exact measures in this recipe if  its not crisp the main reason might be frying in low flame or the oil temperature isn’t right. Oil temperature should be hot that when paneer is added it should rise up immediately and while frying the flame should be in medium. Also if the oil is smoking hot, it may burn the paneer.So keep maintaining the oil temperature.

5.Can I make paneer 65 without deep frying?

Yes you can. You can either bake paneer 65 using a oven or air fry them using a airfryer.