Paneer 65 recipe is a starter that we prepare by deep frying the batter coated paneer cubes from Hyderabadi cuisine. This paneer starter is very popular in Indian restaurants and street food shops along with other 65 recipes like gobi 65, aloo 65. This dry dish can be served as starter or snack along with drinks. Here how to make easy paneer 65 recipe with step by step photos for you all!
There are many ways to make paneer 65 recipe. There are many versions like Hyderabad style, Madurai street style style and the ones served in restaurants also vary in taste.
What Is Paneer 65?
Paneer 65 is a paneer starter that is deep fried. It is the vegetarian variation for chicken 65 just like gobi 65, aloo 65. The reason these dishes are named with a “65” has many theories.
- Some people state that 65 dishes were born on 1965 as quick meals for Indian soldiers.
- It is also stated that 65 chilies are used to spice the dish
Whatever is the reason these starter recipes have become hugely popular and are served in right from small street shops to star restaurants.
65 Recipes are from south Indian cuisine especially from Tamil nadu. The recipe of paneer 65 shared here is slightly healthier as I have used besan flour instead of plain flour.
A piping hot plate of paneer 65 is best to serve as starter or you can serve it as accompaniment with drinks. Make paneer 65 slightly less spicy and it will be a huge hit with toddlers and kids too.
This Paneer 65 Recipe Is
Delicious, flavorful and addictive
Gluten free & vegetarian
Free from colorants & ajinimoto unlike restaurants
Best snack to serve with tea.
Moderately spice, kids friendly
I have tasted this dish in restaurants few times. Though delicious they were coated in colorants and oil. Over the years I have been making this paneer 65 and other 65 recipes at home with very less oil and no colorants.
As I mention in many of my recipes, with the right ingredients and proportions we can make delicious recipes with all natural ingredients.
Paneer is a healthy protein rich ingredient, especially for vegetarians. Also it is a favorite with most kids. My kid also loves paneer and I often make some fun snacks with paneer like paneer tikka , paneer rolls , grilled paneer and more.
Coming to this paneer 65 recipe, this is healthier and different from restaurant style ones. I have used chickpea flour or besan instead of plain flour. Also I have not used any sauce or taste enhancer here. So this is a safe and delicious snack in moderate quantity for kids.
Serve paneer 65 with tea as snack. For kids you can serve with badam milk, pistachio milk or milkshakes.
What Is The Difference Between Paneer 65 and Paneer Manchurian.
While both paneer 65 and manuchurian are served as starters, the main difference is that there are no sauces in paneer 65.
Paneer manchurian is an indo chinese recipe with soy sauce, tomato sauce and spring onions. paneer 65 is south Indian recipe with typical south Indian spices and uses curry leaves for garnishing 🙂
Also as far as I have seen paneer 65 is completely dry starter without any masala.
Can I Make Paneer 65 Without Maida?
Yes we can make this paneer starter without maida. Here I have used gram flour instead of maida. You can also use corn flour and rice flour in this recipe.
Can You Make Paneer 65 Without Frying the Paneer?
To make paneer 65 without frying, prepare the paneer cubes as mentioned in the recipe.Just toast them until golden on a cast iron tava with 3 teaspoons oil. Skip the batter.
How To Make Paneer 65 Recipe
Cut paneer into bite size cubes.
Add minced ginger garlic, garam masala powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder and pinch of salt.
Mix well and set aside.
Add gram flour, rice flour, carom seeds, salt and red chili powder for batter in a separate bowl.
Gradually add water littler by little to make a thick yet flowing batter. The batter should be lump free.
Now heat oil for deep frying. The oil should be medium hot.
Dip each paneer cube in the prepared batter and slide in the hot oil.
Deep fry until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
In the same oil fry 20 curry leaves.
Add the fried leaves to paneer cubes. Toss well.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
How To Make Paneer 65 In Air fryer?
To make this dish in air-fryer prepare the paneer mixture as mentioned in the recipe. Dip the paneer cubes in thick batter briefly and arrange in the greased air fryer basket.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 200 C. Garnish with curry leaves and serve.
You can also prepare paneer 65 in oven in similar way.
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- paneer 65 tastes best when served hot.
- You can keep the spiced paneer cubes and batter ready but fry only just before serving.
- Instead of besan you can use all purpose flour or maida.
- This is a spicy and flavorful snack that is crispy and dry.
- You can add 1 tablespoon thick curd to paneer marination if preferred.
- While making for toddlers and kids reduce the chili powder or skip it altogether. You can use pepper powder instead.
- The recipe can be doubled or tripled.
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I hope you will try this paneer 65 recipe and enjoy as much as we did. P
Paneer 65 Recipe

Paneer 65 Recipe
1 CUP = 250 ml
Ingredients
Ingredients for paneer marination
- 200 grams paneer, cubed
- 1.5 teaspoons red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- Salt to taste
For batter
- 1/4 cup gram flour besan, chickpea flour
- 2 tablespoons rice flour OR corn flour
- 1/4 teaspoon carom seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- water
Other ingredients
- 20 curry leaves
- oil to fry paneer and curry leaves
Instructions
- Cut paneer into bite size cubes.
- Add minced ginger garlic, garam masala powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder and pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Add gram flour, rice flour, carom seeds, salt and red chili powder for batter in a separate bowl. Gradually add water littler by little to make a thick yet flowing batter. The batter should be lump free.
- Now heat oil for deep frying. The oil should be medium hot.
- Dip each paneer cube in the prepared batter and slide in the hot oil.
- Deep fry until golden brown. Drain and set aside
- In the same oil fry 20 curry leaves.
- Add the fried leaves to paneer cubes. Toss well.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
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