Paneer Pizza Paneer Cheese Pizza

About Paneer Pizza

This recipe of Paneer Pizza is very different than my recipe of Paneer Tikka Pizza. Here I lightly marinate the paneer cubes with yogurt and a few spices and it is not the typical spice loaded tikka marinade that is made to make the authentic Paneer Tikka. So the taste and flavor of this Paneer Pizza is different than the tikka version. How I go about it is by marinating the paneer cubes and vegetables in some curd (yogurt) which is spiked with a few Indian spice powders. The holy trinity of spices that I use to spice is red chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder. Simple as well, isn’t it? The pizza has the main topping of Indian cottage cheese a.k.a paneer and has both Indian and Italian flavors. Somehow my family and I like the Indo-Italian fusion food game. No doubt, this peppy Paneer Pizza is a favorite at home. You can always experiment with vegetables that your family prefers. Since my folks are good with onion and capsicum, these win hands down not just in this Paneer Cheese Pizza recipe, but others too. In addition to the capsicum, any colored bell pepper is also a good addition. Vegans don’t worry as this Paneer Pizza can be veganized by just using tofu instead of paneer and a vegan mozzarella cheese. Rest everything else is any way suited for vegans. However, I can’t really comment anything on the yeast used in the making of the pizza base, being suitable for vegan consumption or not.

Crust For This Paneer Cheese Pizza

For the base crust in this Paneer Pizza recipe, I use my Whole Wheat Pizza Dough recipe. This particular post can be your go-to guide for making a 100% fool proof pizza dough with whole wheat flour. For this Paneer Pizza, you can choose any other flour dough for the base. The whole wheat pizza dough recipe is quite easy and simple. The step-by-step pictures will also give a good idea on how to proceed with it. The recipe results in a soft textured pizza base, one which is crisp from the outside after getting baked. There is no denseness, chewiness or hardness in the pizza bread. You can knead the dough using a stand mixer, if you have one or else with your hands. Just make sure that the dough is well kneaded till it becomes smooth, soft and supple.

How to make Paneer Pizza

Make Pizza Dough

1. Take 1 teaspoon instant yeast (3 grams) and ½ teaspoon sugar in a mixing bowl or a tray.
2. Add 1 cup lukewarm water.
3. Mix very well so that the yeast granules dissolve in water.
4. Next, add 3 cups whole wheat flour, 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt.
5. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. If you do not have lemon juice, then add 1 tablespoon buttermilk or fresh curd (yogurt).
6. Begin to knead the dough.
7. Knead to a smooth and soft dough. Add more lukewarm water if required while kneading. Knead for at least 8 to 10 minutes.
8. Place the dough in a bowl. Brush or spread some olive oil all over the dough.
9. Place a cotton kitchen towel covering the dough or pan. Allow to leaven for 45 minutes to 2 hours or till the dough increases in volume and doubles up. Timing will vary with the temperature conditions in your city.
10. After the dough has leavened well, it will increase in volume and double or triple up.

Marinate Paneer and Vegetables

11. Prepare the toppings while the dough is leavening. Take 1 cup onion cubes, 1 cup bell pepper cubes (capsicum) and ½ cup roughly chopped spinach (about 12 to 15 small to medium size spinach leaves) in a mixing bowl. You can skip the spinach. I have used red and yellow bell peppers. You may use any colored bell pepper.
12. Add 2 tablespoons fresh curd or yogurt. This step is optional and you can skip it. You can also use sour cream instead of fresh curd.
13. Add 100 grams paneer cubes.
14. Add the following ground spices:

¼ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon cumin powder ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder 1 pinch salt

You can add more of the ground spice powders if you want. 15. Gently mix and toss the paneer and vegetables with the curd, spice powders and salt. Cover and keep aside to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes or more. If keeping for more than 30 minutes, then refrigerate.

Assemble and Make Paneer Pizza

16. Take the well leaved dough and gently knock back. Knead the dough once again with light hands. Make a log shape from the dough and slice in 4 to 5 equal parts. For thin crust pizzas, cut the dough in 6 to 7 parts.
17. Spread some olive oil on a 9 to 10 inch baking tray. Sprinkle some semolina (rava/sooji) evenly all over the tray. You can even use flour or cornmeal for sprinkling. Also, preheat the oven to its maximum temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before baking.
18. Take a pizza dough part, sprinkle some flour on it and begin to roll it using a rolling pin. 19. Roll to a medium thick base having a thickness of about ¼ to ⅓ inches. You can even make thin crust pizzas.
19. Carefully lift and place the pizza base in the greased baking pan or tray.
20. With a knife or fork, poke the rolled pizza base all over.
21. Spread 1.5 to 2 tablespoons homemade pizza sauce on the dough.
22. Break fresh mozzarella cheese into pieces and place on the sauce. Add mozzarella cheese depending on the size of the pizza. Do not add too much or overcrowd the pizza with cheese. You can also grate the mozzarella cheese. Use pizza cheese if you don’t have mozzarella cheese.
23. Arrange the marinated vegetables and paneer. Again, do not overcrowd with the toppings.
24. Keep the pizza pan in the center rack using both the top and bottom heating elements in the preheated oven. Also, keep your oven’s highest temperature. My oven has 250 degrees C as the highest.
25. Bake Paneer Pizza for 15 to 20 minutes or till the cheese melts and the pizza crust is crisp and golden. Timing will vary depending on the type and size of oven. So do keep a check. For a very crispy base, place the baking tray near the bottom heating element.
26. Remove the pizza on a plate, tray or board. Sprinkle some red chili flakes and oregano on the pizza. You can also top the pizza with some torn fresh basil leaves.
27. Cut the Paneer Pizza into wedges with a pizza cutter or knife and serve. Refrigerate or freeze the leftover dough.

Expert Tips

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Best Thin Crust Pizza (Crispy Crunchy and Light Pizza Crust) Margherita Pizza Recipe Pizza Without Oven | Tawa Pizza | Pan Pizza Pesto Pizza with Whole Wheat Flour This Paneer Pizza recipe post from the blog archives first published in March 2018 has been updated and republished on July 2022.