In the midst of this endless list of street foods in India, Paneer Roll has always remained an exclusive favorite among vegetarians and street food enthusiasts alike. With soft flat bread stuffed with spicy and delicious paneer fillings and crunchy veggies along with attuned sauces of various tastes, paneer rolls are no less than comforting while being highly gratifying too!
One of the reasons why paneer rolls are so liked is that they are very adaptable. They can either be made with light flavors or hot flavors, and they can easily be made by everyone at home with some basic ingredients. The following homemade paneer roll recipe enables you to enjoy the street food version of-paneer rolls with all things fresh and clean.
About Paneer Roll
A paneer roll is a straightforward but very tasty Indian food item made by stuffing spiced, sauted paneer and vegetables inside soft rotis/parathas. This is a kind of food that you can easily find at street stalls, coffee stalls, and even from vendors who are selling the roller inside India.
The stuffing will comprise paneer cut into cubes and sautéed with onions, capsicum, spices, and in some cases, sauces. This prep work will be rolled inside a soft paratha and sometimes topped with green chutneys, mayonnaise, and so on.
Paneer rolls are liked for the following reasons:
- Vegetarian and protein-rich
- Easy to customize
- Easy to prepare
- Great for munching on the run.
Why Is Paneer Roll So Popular in India?
Paneer Roll became a hit vegetarian substitute for meat rolls, such as chicken or egg rolls. Paneer, a widely accepted and accessible food item in Indian kitchens, made this snack so easy and economical to make.
Its popularity can be ascribed to the fact that it has a very good balance of textures and flavors ranging from the softness of the bread to the crispness of the paneer and vegetables. Paneer rolls are also very filling yet not very heavy. This makes it a very popular snack for school-going youngsters as well as office-going executives.
With the passage of time, the paneer roll has undergone innumerable variations. However, the street food version is always a classic favorite.
Paneer Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Paneer Filling
- 200 grams paneer cut into strips or cubes
- 1 tbsp oil or butter
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 small capsicum thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- For the Rolls
- 4 rotis or parathas
- Butter or oil (for roasting
- Optional Sauces & Add-ons
- Green chutney
- Mayonnaise or yogurt sauce
- Sliced onions
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions until soft and lightly golden, then add ginger-garlic paste and cook until fragrant. Add capsicum and cook briefly. Season with salt, garam masala, cumin, red chilli powder, and turmeric. Add paneer cubes, gently toss, and cook for 3–4 minutes. Finish with coriander and lemon juice, then set aside.
- For rotis, heat a tawa. Then lightly roast the rotis or parathas. Use butter or oil to achieve the goal. The main objective, however, is to warm the rotis or parathas to the point where it will become soft. The rotis or parathas should not be well cooked. The reason for that is the fact that the rotis/parathas should be easy to roll.
- Take a roti or paratha and put it on a flat surface. You can spread some chutney or mayonnaise on the roti or paratha if you like that. Now add a lot of the paneer filling in the middle of the roti or paratha.You should put onions on top and add a little more lemon juice if you want to. Then you need to roll the thing up tight making sure the filling stays inside as you roll it.
- Serve the paneer rolls hot or warm. For an authentic street-food touch, wrap them in butter paper or foil before serving.
Notes
- You can add grated cheese for a richer roll.
- Replace paneer with tofu for a vegan version.
- Whole wheat rotis work best for easy rolling.
Serving Suggestions
- Always serve the rolls hot along with more green chutney.
- To be had with tomato ketchup/mint yogurt dip
- It can be served with tea and cold drinks.
- Perfect for lunches, picnics, or snacks
Variations of Paneer Roll
- Cheese Paneer Roll: Grated cheese to be added for enhanced effect
- Spicy Paneer Roll: Add green chilies and chili powder
- Healthy Paneer Roll: Use whole wheat rotis and less oil
- Paneer Kathi Roll: Use paratha and add tangy sauces
Special Tips to Make Perfect Paneer Rolls
- Use fresh, soft paneer for best texture
- Do not overcook paneer to avoid rubbery texture
- Keep rotis soft and warm for easy rolling
- Balance spices and sauces for best flavor
- Assemble rolls just before serving
Conclusion
Paneer Roll: This is what can be considered an example of the kind of great taste that can be extracted from very simple ingredients. This is because the spicy paneer stuffing, soft rotis, and fresh ingredients combine to make this street food very comforting and easy to make.
Preparing this dish for family meals, and for children’s lunch boxes, and even for events, the paneer rolls always result to be a hit with everyone. Once you try the homemade paneer roll recipe, you would surely repeat it again and again.
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FAQs
Paneer roll is made with spiced paneer filling wrapped inside a roti or paratha along with vegetables and sauces.
Yes, onions can be skipped or replaced with other vegetables.
Even paneer rolls can prove to be a healthy choice if they are made with whole wheat rotis and minimal use of oil.
The filling can be prepared ahead, but rolls should be assembled just before serving.
Soft rotis, parathas, or rumali rotis work best.
