Quick and Simple Paneer Dosa Recipe

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Paneer dosa brings back memories of childhood. The aroma of the spices, the sizzling sound of the dosa on the pan, and the juicy, melted paneer filling bubbling up through the crispy holes in the dosa. But we are not talking about your typical dosa, this is a paneer dosa, which is a unique twist on the classic Indian dish. The soft, crumbly texture of the dosa paired with the tangy, creamy filling of the paneer takes you on a rollercoaster ride of flavors. The sharpness of the spices, the sweetness of the paneer, and the crunchiness of the dosa all come together in perfect harmony. It’s like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.

Breakfast is considered an important meal in South India, where the whole family sits together for meals. Paneer dosa is a popular breakfast item, especially among kids because of its cheesy filling. It combines the goodness of Indian spices, crispy dosa, and juicy, melted paneer filling. Made using idli dosa batter, this dish is a great twist on the regular plain dosa and is easy to make with this quick recipe. You can serve paneer dosa with a variety of side dishes such as coconut chutney, schezwan sauce, tomato ketchup, or garlic chutney. This dish is versatile and can be used as a dinner recipe, enjoyed with a cup of filter coffee, or even as a quick and easy snack. It can also be made with a variety of paneer recipes, such as butter paneer dosa, adai dosa, palak paneer, or paneer butter masala.

Dosa is an essential part of South Indian breakfast recipes, but paneer dosa is one of the fairly recent recipes. It was first introduced by Hotel Saravana Bhavan where they stuffed the old, friendly dosa with spicy paneer filling and this easy recipe became an instant hit. Over time, paneer dosa has become one of the quickest and most favorite recipes in India. Many variations of the dish have emerged, including quick paneer chilli dosa, butter paneer dosa, and Mysore masala dosa.

You can make your own paneer dosa at home with idli batter and paneer stuffing following this copycat Saravana Bhavan paneer dosa recipe. Make the stuffing by crumbling fresh paneer, paneer cubes, or store-bought paneer and adding spice powders such as red chilli powder, and turmeric powder, along with the grated onion. After that, pour the batter onto a hot griddle in a circular motion, to spread the batter evenly. Then place the stuffing on top of the batter and cook dosa on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes. This dish is a great way to incorporate Indian spices into your diet and is perfect for those who love crispy dosa and delicious recipes. So, try this amazing recipe and enjoy the taste of India at home!

Ingredients

For the Instant Dosa Batter

Flours

To make the batter, you will require three different flours, each playing its own important role in the recipe. Firstly, semolina brings crispiness and texture to the batter, then, besan or gram flour gives it a nutty flavor and helps to hold the batter together. Lastly, for extra nutrition and taste, you can sprinkle some whole wheat flour on top.

Buttermilk and Baking Soda

Buttermilk acts as a natural souring agent, lending a tangy flavor to the batter, and baking soda helps the dosa batter to rise and become light and fluffy.

Other Ingredients For the Batter

For other ingredients, you need lemon juice, which enhances the flavor and helps preserve the batter, and as always, you need salt and sugar to balance the taste and texture of the batter.

For the Paneer Filling

Paneer

Paneer is the star of the dish; it adds a creamy, tangy flavor and texture to the filling. You can use fresh Indian cottage cheese, cottage cheese cubes, or store-bought cheese. It is up to you as long as it gives good results.

Vegetables

The paneer masala dosa recipe calls for several basic pantry vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, ginger garlic paste, green chilies, and coriander leaves. Firstly, the onion brings a sweet and savory flavor and texture to the filling, while the tomato offers a tangy and juicy flavor while also adding moisture to the filling. Additionally, the ginger garlic paste provides zesty notes and a flavorful aroma. Finally, the dish is garnished with coriander and green chilies, you may also include bell pepper for an extra sweet and spicy touch.

Spices

This recipe uses common Indian spices like turmeric powder to add a warm, earthy flavor and vibrant yellow color to the filling. You need red chili powder for a bold and spicy flavor and black pepper for the same purpose. Coriander powder is another important ingredient to add a fresh, herbal flavor to the filling.

Curry Leaves

Any South Indian recipe looks incomplete without the fragrant, aromatic flavor of curry leaves. It is like the holy grail of South Indian food, so you also need a few of them for this filling too.

Step By Step Instructions

Start by grinding 1 cup of semolina into a fine powder. Then, transfer the powder into a large bowl.

To the bowl, add 2 tbsp of besan, 2 tbsp of whole wheat flour, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of sugar.

Then, pour 2 cups of buttermilk into the bowl and mix everything together.

At this point, cover the bowl and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. We will come back to this batter later.

Meanwhile, let’s make the paneer filling. First, heat 2 tbsp of oil or butter in a pan.

Then, add 1/4 cup of chopped onion and also add 1 tsp of ginger garlic paste. Saute for 1 minute.

Next, add 1/4 cup of chopped tomatoes, 1 chopped green chili, and all the spices (1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper powder).

Then add salt to taste.

Then, add the scrambled paneer to the pan and mix everything well.

Sprinkle fresh curry leaves and coriander leaves on top.

After 15-20 minutes, check the dosa batter and add 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 1 tsp of lemon juice.

Beat the batter well.

Now, heat a dosa tawa and pour a ladle of batter in a circular motion, spreading it out evenly.

Once the dosa is partially cooked, add a generous spoonful of paneer filling in the center.

Finally, fold the dosa in half and serve with coconut chutney.

Enjoy your delicious and filling paneer dosa!

Serving Suggestions

Serve the hot and crispy paneer dosa with a side of coconut chutney and sambar. To elevate its flavors, squeeze some lemon juice on top and savor the perfect combination of cheesy and spicy in every bite. In order to add a new twist, consider serving the paneer dosa with delicious onion chutney. Sprinkle chaat masala and coriander leaves on top to enhance the overall taste and texture. Another option is to enjoy the dish by dipping it into a bowl of spicy tomato ketchup or mint chutney. If you don’t have time to make the paneer stuffing, stuff the dosa with grated paneer, veggies and spices. To complete the meal, enjoy your delicious Paneer Dosa with a cup of filter coffee and relish the taste of India. The possibilities for serving paneer dosa are endless, so have fun experimenting with different accompaniments and find your favorite combination.

Storage Suggestions

To preserve the crispiness and freshness of the paneer dosa, store it in an airtight container with a sheet of wax paper placed between each layer to prevent sticking. Keep the container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2-3 days. When it’s time to enjoy your meal, simply heat the dosa on a pan or griddle until it’s hot and crispy. Then, serve it with your favorite chutneys and dips for a delicious and satisfying experience. But you should know, dosa is always best when it’s first cooked!

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