Paneer Pakoda!!!
It’s the monsoon in Bombay and that’s when my fellow Indians sit back with a cup of chai and pakoda and enjoy the weather. If I’m being honest I’m not a chai and pakoda kind of guy, give me a cup of coffee and a chicken sandwich and I’m happy. However I see no reason why my fellow Indians on Keto should not get to enjoy chai and pakodas. I’ve already done a recipe for Keto masala chai and just a few days ago I make a delicious Keto chutney. The timing for this pakoda couldn’t be more perfect. So go ahead and fry up some Keto Paneer Pakodas.
Nutrition Info (Per serving)
- Calories: 270
- Net Carbs: 2g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fat: 35g
- Protein: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
This recipe makes 2 servings. Get this recipe on myfitnesspal. These macros include a generic amount of oil that would be absorbed during deep frying. I normally assume that to be 1 tbsp. If you are super particular then you can weigh your frying oil before and after to know exactly how much has been absorbed. Also then remember to weight the paper towel that you drain the pakodas on. Also all the carbs here are FIBER from the psyllium husk.
- 100 grams Paneer
- 1 Egg
- 3 Tsp Psyllium Husk I use this
- 1 Tsp Kasuri Meth/Dried Fenugreek Leaves I use this
- 1 Tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder Buy Online
- 1/2 Tsp Tumeric Buy Online
- 1/4 Tsp Garam Masala Powder Buy Online
- Salt to Taste
- Ghee/Oil for Deep Frying Try this one
- Mix half the kashmiri chilli powder with half the tumeric, all the garam masala and some salt (about 1/2 tsp) and mix it all to create a dry rub.
- Individually dab the paneer pieces in the spice mix and coat well. Else mix all of it together in a bowl so the paneer is well coated.
- To make the batter crack the egg in a bowl and mix with some salt, the rest of the chilli power and tumeric and the kasuri methi and mix well. Then add in the psyllium husk 1 tsp at a time till the mixture is nice and thick like a batter.
- Dip the paneer in the batter and then deep fry. Cook till the batter is nice and golden brown.
- Serve them hot and with some Keto green chutney.
42 Comments
Tanvir
July 14, 2019 at 12:37 amCan paneer be replaced with capsicum or green chilli?
Sahil Makhija
July 14, 2019 at 6:47 amYes absolutely!!
Rashila
July 24, 2019 at 11:31 amI don’t eat eggs, what can I replace that with for this recipe please?
Sahil Makhija
July 25, 2019 at 3:00 amNothing. There is no alternative.
Namrata
September 14, 2020 at 1:47 amHey .. I too dont eat eggs .. can we substitute it with flaxseed meal and water mixture like we do while baking to avoid eggs?
Sahil Makhija
September 14, 2020 at 4:00 amYou can try that but I have no idea if it works or not.
Anony
August 14, 2020 at 1:06 pmIf you live in the USA then you can use JUST egg..its egg replacement and keto grade A
Shikha
January 9, 2021 at 2:49 amYou can use cooking cream to make batter.
Narelle
August 5, 2019 at 3:05 amI’m going to make these using lupin flour. https://youtu.be/q6evghMB2dY Here’s some info on this flour
Ken R
August 30, 2019 at 7:48 pmExcited to try this! Can we substitute almond flour, and any idea if these can be baked instead?
Deepti Unni
September 4, 2019 at 4:36 amAlmond flour wouldn’t work the same way and it can get quite heavy and burn quickly. We haven’t tried baking them but do let us know if you do!
Mitali W
September 2, 2019 at 9:59 pmHi Sahil, I just found your site, and I’m super pumped to try this stuff. Question about the psyllium husk – do you grind it into a fine power before you use it for the batter? Or do you use it whole?
Sahil Makhija
September 7, 2019 at 7:27 pmNo i use it as it is
Kirandip Kaur
September 23, 2019 at 6:23 pmWhat oil did you use to deep fry?
Sahil Makhija
September 24, 2019 at 3:24 amI used a mix of ghee and olive oil.
Sanchita
December 27, 2019 at 1:54 pmHi Sahil,
About the oil, is it extra virgin olive oil that you use with ghee , for deep frying ?
Keto has been the only effective weight loss and thyroid control mechanism for me. Definitely going to continue but miss pakoras .
Sahil Makhija
December 28, 2019 at 3:30 amI buy an olive oil for frying not extra virgin.
CassieOz
October 12, 2019 at 12:52 amHi Sahil, I’m back after a long absence so it’s good to see you going from strength to strength. A good crisp batter is the elusive holy grail of keto. Do these go crispy?
Sahil Makhija
October 12, 2019 at 3:04 amthank you Cassie!
Varsha
October 24, 2019 at 4:47 amHey,
Can we use gram flour/besan for the batter? As i read in an article that even gram flour is keto friendly!
Sahil Makhija
October 25, 2019 at 2:29 amNope it’s not.
Vikram
January 12, 2020 at 4:41 pmHey Sahil… came across this ingredient called Lupin. It’s an Australian bean flour with just 1 gm of net carb. I’m filling to try this recipe with Lupin. I’ll post my thoughts after making ‘em s as well. Would be great to get your insights ?
Alka
October 26, 2021 at 6:59 amHi Vikram – I came across your comment about Lupin flour on Headbanger’s pakora recipe. Did you try making pakoras with Lupin flour ? I too am in Australia and have recently purchased it, but not sure what I can use it for. Currently I am just adding it to keto bread and rotis to increase the protein and fibre content. Would love to find out what else you have tried making with it.
Susie Emerson
January 12, 2020 at 9:02 pmCan I use feta or halloumi cheese instead? Not sure I’d get paneer is our local supermarket in the UK!
Sahil Makhija
January 13, 2020 at 3:09 amYes you can use halloumi. Feta might not hold up but halloumi sure!
Gareth Ricketts
April 22, 2020 at 1:17 pmYou can get Paneer in Tesco for sure. I would be surprised of Sainsburys and Waitrose don’t stock it too although I’ve never checked.
Sarah
June 14, 2020 at 9:33 amPaneer is available in all local supermarkets in the UK
Dhara
January 16, 2020 at 7:57 pmHi can I use an airfryer instead of deep frying these?
Sahil Makhija
January 17, 2020 at 4:43 amyes you can
dre
June 26, 2020 at 11:32 pmThis recipe is delicious! I love pakora and paneer, this is perfect!
Sarah
June 28, 2020 at 3:41 pmI love you for this recipe! Was dying for pakoray and came across this on your Okra recipe! Excellent taste of both. Thank you!
Norbu
July 11, 2020 at 3:49 pmCan besan be used ? Is it keto friendly?
Sahil Makhija
July 12, 2020 at 3:20 amNope. Besan is not Keto friendly.
Faatimah
July 19, 2020 at 2:19 pmHi Sahil,
I’m just starting my keto journey and am intrigued by your recipes! They look so awesome! I’m planning to test out the palak paneer tonight. Do you happen to have a recommendation for a garam masala option available in the UK? Though I am Indian, my family never use it and tend to use some of the individual component instead. Ones I have tried in the past have caused indigestion and heart burn. I know they vary so much depending on who makes them.
Would be grateful if you have a British suggestion?
Thank you so much for being so awesome and sharing your culinary adventures!
Sahil Makhija
July 20, 2020 at 2:49 amHey Faatimah! You can use curry powder or a mix of tumeric/cumin powder/coriander powder in equal quantities. They should work.
MAGS
November 1, 2020 at 9:18 amHi Sahil, I love trying your recipes and subscribe to your YouTube channel. Could I use fish instead of paneer, and it still be Keto?
Sahil Makhija
November 2, 2020 at 3:17 amYes absolutely. Paneer is just the protein source here you can replace it with any other protein source like fish, chicken, beef, pork. You can even use the batter to make onion rings etc but that increases the carb count significantly.
Vamsi Krishna
April 20, 2021 at 7:11 pmI think the calories count in this post seems incorrect. Can you check and correct it if needed.
As per the macros:
35 x 9 cal + 2 x 4 cal + 12 x 4 cal = 371 Calories
Net Carbs: 2g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 35g
Sahil Makhija
April 21, 2021 at 9:52 amSure, will have a look!
Sahil Makhija
April 21, 2021 at 9:54 amProbably a difference in the macros based on what paneer you end up using. I probably had a lower fat paneer and not the fatty malai paneer.
Kay
June 18, 2021 at 4:33 amOh this looks so good! Was this psyllium husk powder? Or was it the slightly longer psyllium husk ? Thank you!
Sahil Makhija
June 18, 2021 at 7:33 amIt’s just like a particular brand but I think the powder works too.