Paneer kathi roll
Discover the delicious flavours of Indian street food with our paneer kathi rolls. This popular recipe is easy and convenient with creamy marinated paneer and a vibrant green dressing, all wrapped in a warm, flaky paratha. Enjoy the perfect mix of spices with a hint of lemon, onions, and peppers for added crunch. You will wonder how you lived without them!
Ingredients
Marinated paneer
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Oil for frying
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3
Garlic cloves
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1 tbsp
Ginger, freshly grated
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½
Lemon, juice
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1 tbsp
Salt
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2 tsp
Kashmiri chilli powder, to taste
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1 tsp
Garam masala
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1 tsp
Ground coriander
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1 tsp
Ground cumin
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1 tsp
Chaat masala
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½ tsp
Turmeric
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½ tsp
Kasuri methi
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Green dressing
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½ handful
Fresh mint
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1
Large handful fresh coriander
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¼– ½
Green chilli, to taste
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1 tsp
Lemon juice
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Salt, to season
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Freshly ground black pepper
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To serve
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1
Red onion
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1
Green pepper
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1
Paratha bread
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To garnish
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½
Red onion, thinly sliced
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Mint or fresh coriander
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Instructions
Marinated paneer
Green dressing
Fried paneer and vegetables
Assembly
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
If you have time, let the paneer marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking. This gives the yoghurt, lemon, and spices time to properly soak into the cheese. The longer the marination, the more flavourful the paneer will be.
Ready-made parathas are convenient and work perfectly well, especially straight from the freezer. However, if you want better flavour and a flakier, more tender texture, homemade parathas are worth the extra effort. They are easy to customise and made from simple ingredients such as atta (whole wheat flour), salt, ghee or oil, and water, and can be left plain or filled with vegetables or other fillings you enjoy.
FAQ: Questions about paneer kathi roll
From the streets of India to the comfort of your home, we will help you make the perfect paneer kathi rolls. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these Indian wraps, so you can enjoy an authentic Indian food experience.
What is a paneer kathi roll?
A paneer kathi roll is a popular Indian street-food wrap that combines spiced paneer with vegetables and sauces, all rolled up in a soft, flaky flatbread called paratha. The paneer is usually marinated in yoghurt, lemon, and spices, then fried until golden and aromatic. It is layered with onions, peppers, and a fresh chutney or yoghurt-based dressing, before being wrapped tightly and eaten warm. Originating from Kolkata’s kathi rolls, the paneer version is a vegetarian favourite.
Can I use roti or tortilla instead of paratha in my paneer kathi roll?
Yes, both roti and tortilla work well as substitutes. Roti is thinner and lighter than paratha, which is richer and flakier due to its layered, well-oiled dough. Brushing roti with a little oil or ghee helps give it a more paratha-like finish. Tortillas roll easily and hold the filling well, though they are milder in flavour. Warm them with a little oil for better pliability and light crispness. Quick tip: drain any excess oil from the filling to keep the rolls light and crispy, and stop them from going soggy.
Can I make paneer kathi rolls ahead of time?
You can prepare most of the components for the paneer kathi rolls ahead of time, but it is best to assemble the rolls just before serving. The paneer filling can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, then reheated gently. The green dressing can also be made ahead and kept chilled. To avoid soggy rolls, keep the filling and bread separate until you are ready to serve.
How should I store leftover paneer kathi roll filling?
Let the paneer filling cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. Reheat leftovers gently in a pan over low to medium-low heat with a small splash of oil or water, stirring carefully so the paneer stays intact. If you are using a microwave, cover the filling and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Refresh the flavour with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of chaat masala before serving, and avoid reheating the same batch more than once.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
41 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
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| Fibre | - | 3 g |
| Protein | 13 % | 1.3 g |
| Fat | 13.1 % | 0.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 73.9 % | 7.4 g |
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Paneer kathi roll – a street food classic from India
Your journey to spicy wraps starts a new chapter with paneer kathi roll, the ultimate Indian food-to-go! This popular and versatile street food combines creamy marinated paneer, bold spices, and a tangy green dressing inside a warm, flaky paratha. From the very first bite, you will experience the aromatic warmth of garam masala, cumin, and coriander, enlivened by the tangy lemon juice and the mild heat of turmeric and kashmiri chilli.
Golden paneer in a spiced yoghurt marinade
The milky white paneer cubes pick up inviting mouth-watering colours from the spiced yoghurt marinade. The marinade includes turmeric, kashmiri chilli powder, and garam masala, which not only gives the paneer a warm golden colour to please the eye but also a warm spicy flavour to please the palate. Once fried, the cubes are lightly crisp on the outside but soft and creamy inside, making them ideal for rolling into a wrap.
Tangy green dressing with fresh herbs
The green dressing sets the perfect backdrop to highlight the spiced paneer and vegetables. Creamy Greek yoghurt, refreshing coriander, and cool mint are accompanied by green chilli, before a final seasoning with lemon juice. You can easily adjust the amount of chilli and lemon to suit your taste, and either keep the dressing a little chunky or blend it smooth, whatever you feel like.
Soft and flexible parathas with crisp vegetables
The spiced and creamy paneer and zingy dressing is encased in a paratha wrap, strong enough to hold all the exotic ingredients, but flaky and soft enough to enjoy anytime, anywhere. The fried onion adds a caramelised smokiness, while the peppers add an irresistible juicy crunch. The filling is topped with fresh, thinly sliced red onion for crunch and a sprinkle of fresh mint or coriander.
Ideal for lunches on the go and easy dinners
Paneer kathi rolls are great for any event, from quick bites at home, party appetisers, and picnic snacks, to packed lunches for school or work. They also make a tasty treat while you are sitting on the couch watching your favourite TV programme.
Much of the preparation can be done ahead of time, like the marinated paneer and green dressing. This makes the job of cooking and assembling your rolls quick, easy, and fuss-free.
Make your paneer kathi rolls go further by adding a side of crispy air fryer potato wedges or a light cucumber salad to complement the spicy and tangy flavours. Round things off with a delicious, chilled mango lassi or a refreshing mint lemonade.
You can also try more paneer recipes, such as chilli paneer and paneer jalfrezi if you like spicier food, or go with paneer korma, saag paneer, and paneer pulao for something milder and creamier.
Explore different fillings and dressings
Paneer kathi rolls are great fun to make and extremely versatile. Why not customise this recipe to suit you and your friends and family?
Add extra crunchiness to your rolls with some thinly sliced cucumbers or tomatoes for extra freshness, or sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for a nutty flavour. Need more vegetables? Throw in some shredded lettuce or cabbage into the green dressing.
If you fancy some heat, add a dash of hot sauce or some finely chopped green chilli. Bring a little sweetness to the mix with some tamarind chutney or a sweet tomato chilli sauce.
For a fun and interactive evening, make different dressings and fillings so you and your family or guests can make your own wraps, and create new and unique flavour combinations for yourselves.
Paneer is worth a closer look. Check out “What is paneer?” and the comparisons “Paneer vs tofu”, “Paneer vs halloumi”, and “Paneer vs cottage cheese”.
