About Paneer Tikka Pizza
A pizza, being junk food, usually has a bad reputation when it comes to health. However, when we are creating and recreating recipes at home, we can be selective and opt to choose ingredients consciously so that a little adjustment can be made. I have done the same for this Paneer Tikka Pizza as well by using a healthier alternative for the pizza base, that is, whole wheat flour (atta). All the other elements, except for cheese, essential for a pizza are also made from scratch at home. This includes the Indian cottage cheese (paneer) as well. The homemade pizza sauce that I use for this recipe is my preferred one. It is mentioned in the recipe card and you can check this Pizza Sauce recipe too, which is a separate post completely dedicated to it. As is obvious by the name Paneer Tikka Pizza or Tandoori Paneer Pizza, this is a fusion pizza where the base and sauce are Italian and the main topping, that is, paneer tikka is Indian. Also, while the recipe card mentions the recipe for this also, you can check this Paneer Tikka recipe as well. Paneer Tikka also called as Tandoori Paneer are paneer cubes that are marinated with a flavorful mix of thick yogurt, spices, herbs and are grilled later. One of the key flavor element of this fusion pizza variant is the delish paneer tikka. Keep in mind that making paneer tikka will take a bit of your time. If you are in a hurry, you can check my recipe of an easy Paneer Pizza which takes less time to prep, does not use the typical tikka marinade and is easier to assemble. Another fusion thing that you can do to make this pizza completely Indianised is to use a makhani sauce instead of the authentic pizza sauce. Making it is also not so difficult. Begin with making the pizza bread dough and keep it for leavening. In the meantime, prepare the paneer marinade and keep it for 30 minutes to an an hour. Then, get on to the pizza sauce. After the dough has doubled in size, start assembling the pizza.
How to make Paneer Tikka Pizza
Prepare Pizza Base
1. In a bowl, mix ½ teaspoon sugar and 2 teaspoons dry active yeast (or 1.5 teaspoons instant yeast or rapid rising yeast) in lukewarm water for 10 to 12 minutes. After 10 to 12 minutes, when the yeast mixture looks bubbly add 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt and 1 cup whole wheat flour. 2. Stir and mix with a spoon or spatula. Add 1 cup more of whole wheat flour and stir again. You will see the mixture leaves the sides of the bowl. Add the last 1 cup flour and using your hands begin to knead the flour. 3. Knead to a smooth, soft and elastic dough. Rub water all over the dough and keep in the same bowl to leaven the dough. Cover the bowl with a lid or a kitchen napkin and keep aside for the dough to leaven.
Prepare Tikka Marinade
- Whisk 4 tablespoons thick yogurt (hung curd) or Greek yogurt until smooth in a mixing bowl. Then, add all the ground spice powders and herbs.
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste or 3 to 4 small to medium garlic cloves + ½ inch ginger – crushed to a paste in a mortar-pestle ½ teaspoon coriander powder ½ teaspoon red chili powder ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon Garam Masala or Tandoori Masala ¼ teaspoon carom seeds ¼ to ½ teaspoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon chaat masala rock salt (edible and food grade) or black salt or regular salt as required
First Mix the spices and herbs with the whisked yogurt.
Add 125 to 150 grams cubed paneer, 1 medium onion, layers separated, 1 medium diced or cubed tomato and 1 medium diced or cubed bell pepper.
Fold the paneer and veggies with the spiced yogurt mixture gently.
Cover bowl with lid and set aside for minimum 30 minutes at room temperature to marinate or for 1 to 2 hours to marinate in the fridge.
Prepare Pizza Tomato Sauce
- Puree 2 medium tomatoes in a blender to a fine consistency. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté 3 to 4 small to medium size chopped garlic cloves for some seconds. Add the pureed tomatoes and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Next, add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, ½ to 1 teaspoon dried oregano, black pepper powder and salt as required. Stir and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Keep the sauce aside.
Assemble and Bake Paneer Tikka Pizza
- After 1:30 to 2 hours the dough would have leavened and doubled in volume. Divide the leavened dough into 2 or 3 parts depending on the size of your pizza pan. Roll the dough into a circle or oval keeping thickness of ¼ inch. Place the pizza base in a greased and dusted baking pan or tray. Brush olive oil on the rolled pizza base.
- Spread the prepared pizza sauce on the pizza base. Evenly arrange the marinated paneer and vegetable cubes on the pizza.
- Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on the pizza as needed. Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 250 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes or more till the pizza base has been baked, the edges of veggies are golden and cheese has melted. Remember to preheat your oven at 250 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes before you bake.
- Remove Paneer Tikka Pizza from the oven and serve hot with tomato sauce, red chili flakes and Italian herb mix.
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. Veggie Pizza Recipe | Homemade Veg Pizza Margherita Pizza Recipe Bread Pizza – 2 Ways (On a Skillet or Tawa & In an Oven) Pesto Pizza with Whole Wheat Flour This Paneer Tikka Pizza recipe from the archives first published in October 2013 has been republished on June 2022 and updated on May 2023.
