Paneer Pizza Recipe: Pizza, often categorized as junk food, is often associated with health concerns. However, we can make healthier choices by preparing homemade pizzas with carefully selected, high-quality ingredients. This homemade Paneer Pizza recipe is a delightful example of creating a pizza that’s both delicious and wholesome. Topped with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and mixed veggies on a homemade pizza dough, this pizza is elevated with the addition of my best homemade Pizza Sauce.
About Paneer Pizza Recipe:
This Paneer Pizza recipe differs from my Paneer Tikka Pizza recipe. Here, I lightly marinate the paneer cubes with yogurt and a few spices, creating a unique flavor profile distinct from the traditional heavily spiced tikka marinade used in Paneer Tikka Pizza.
The paneer pizza features a blend of Indian and Italian flavors, with the main topping being Indian cottage cheese (paneer). My family particularly enjoys the Indo-Italian fusion aspect of this dish, making it a household favorite.
You can customize the toppings based on your family’s preferences. In my recipe, I use onions and capsicum, but any colored bell peppers can also be a tasty addition.
For those following a vegan diet, this Paneer Pizza can be easily veganized by substituting tofu for paneer and using vegan mozzarella cheese. However, the suitability of the yeast used in the pizza base for vegan consumption may vary.
Crust for This Paneer Cheese Pizza:
I use my Whole Wheat Pizza Dough recipe for the crust in this Paneer Pizza. This recipe yields a foolproof pizza dough made with whole wheat flour, resulting in a soft yet crispy base after baking. The dough can be kneaded using a stand mixer or by hand until it becomes smooth, soft, and supple.
Overall, this homemade Paneer Pizza offers a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought pizzas, allowing you to indulge in your favorite comfort food without compromising on taste or quality.
Paneer Pizza Recipe Ingredients:
For making dough:
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast (3 grams) – rapid rise yeast
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 to 1.25 cups lukewarm water, or as required
- 3 cups whole wheat flour (360 grams)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, or as required
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For paneer and veggie marination:
- 1 cup onion cubes
- 1 cup bell pepper cubes (capsicum) – any colored bell pepper or capsicum
- ½ cup roughly chopped spinach or 12 to 15 small to medium-sized spinach leaves – optional
- 2 tablespoons curd, sour cream, or Greek yogurt
- 100 grams paneer or tofu
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 pinch salt, or as needed
Other ingredients:
- ½ cup pizza sauce, or as required
- Mozzarella cheese (fresh) or pizza cheese, as required
- Mixed herbs or fresh basil, as required
- Red chili flakes, as required
How to Make Paneer Pizza Recipe
Prepare Pizza Dough:
- In a mixing bowl or tray, combine 1 teaspoon instant yeast (3 grams) and ½ teaspoon sugar.
- Pour in 1 cup lukewarm water and mix thoroughly until the yeast granules dissolve.
- To the yeast mixture, add 3 cups whole wheat flour, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Also, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the mixture. If lemon juice is unavailable, you can use 1 tablespoon buttermilk or fresh yogurt (curd).
- Begin kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and soft. Add more lukewarm water if needed during kneading. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Place the kneaded dough in a bowl and brush or spread some olive oil over it.
- Cover the dough with a cotton kitchen towel or pan and let it leaven for 45 minutes to 2 hours, or until it doubles or triples in volume. The leavening time may vary depending on the temperature conditions.
- Once the dough has leavened well and increased in volume, it is ready to be used for making Paneer Pizza.
Marinate Paneer and Vegetables:
- While the dough is leavening, prepare the toppings. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of cubed onions, 1 cup of cubed bell peppers (capsicum), and ½ cup of roughly chopped spinach (approximately 12 to 15 small to medium-sized spinach leaves).
- You may omit the spinach. I have used red and yellow bell peppers. Feel free to use any colored bell pepper.
- Add 2 tablespoons of fresh curd or yogurt to the vegetables in the bowl. This step is optional, and you can skip it. Sour cream can also be used instead of fresh curd.
- Add 100 grams of paneer cubes to the bowl.
- Sprinkle the following ground spices over the vegetable-paneer mixture:
- ¼ teaspoon of red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon of garam masala powder
- A pinch of salt
- Adjust the quantity of spice powders according to your preference.
- Gently mix and toss the paneer and vegetables with the curd, spice powders, and salt until well combined.
- Cover the bowl and set it aside to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes or longer. If marinating for more than 30 minutes, refrigerate the mixture.
Assemble and Make Paneer Pizza Recipe:
- Take the well-leavened dough and gently deflate it. Knead the dough once again with light hands.
- Shape the dough into a log and divide it into 4 to 5 equal parts. For thin-crust pizzas, divide the dough into 6 to 7 parts.
- Grease a 9 to 10-inch baking tray with olive oil and sprinkle semolina (rava/sooji) evenly over the tray. Alternatively, you can use flour or cornmeal for sprinkling.
- Preheat the oven to its maximum temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before baking.
- Take one portion of the pizza dough, sprinkle some flour on it, and roll it out using a rolling pin.
- Roll out the dough to a medium-thick base with a thickness of about ¼ to ⅓ inches. You can also make thin-crust pizzas if desired.
- Carefully lift and place the rolled pizza base in the greased baking pan or tray.
- Use a knife or fork to poke the rolled pizza base all over.
- Spread 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of homemade pizza sauce evenly on the dough.
- Break fresh mozzarella cheese into pieces and distribute them evenly over the sauce. Adjust the amount of mozzarella cheese according to the size of the pizza.
- Avoid adding too much cheese or overcrowding the pizza. Grated pizza cheese can be used if mozzarella cheese is unavailable.
- Arrange the marinated vegetables and paneer evenly over the pizza base. Ensure not to overcrowd the toppings.
- Place the pizza pan in the center rack of the preheated oven, utilizing both the top and bottom heating elements. Set your oven to its highest temperature (e.g., 250 degrees C).
- Bake the Paneer Pizza for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese melts and the pizza crust turns crisp and golden. The baking time may vary depending on the type and size of the oven, so keep an eye on it.
- For a very crispy base, position the baking tray near the bottom heating element.
- Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and transfer it to a plate, tray, or board. Sprinkle some red chili flakes and oregano over the pizza. You can also garnish with torn fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Use a pizza cutter or knife to slice the Paneer Pizza into wedges and serve. Any leftover dough can be refrigerated or frozen for future use.
Expert Tips:
- When using paneer in pizza, marinate it beforehand to enhance its flavor. Paneer itself is bland and marinating helps it absorb the flavors of the marinade ingredients.
- Directly adding plain paneer to pizza may result in it drying out and becoming dense after baking. Marinating the paneer cubes prevents this issue, ensuring a moist and flavorful outcome.
- Olive oil yields the best results in this recipe. If unavailable, use any odorless and flavorless oil as a substitute.
- If lemon juice is not on hand for the dough, substitute it with fresh curd (yogurt) or buttermilk.
- Adjust the quantity of spice powders according to taste, especially if making the pizza for children.
- Sour cream can be used as a substitute for fresh curd in marinating the veggies and paneer.
- If mozzarella cheese is unavailable, pizza cheese can be used as a replacement.
- Leftover dough can be refrigerated or frozen for future use.
- Keep an eye on the pizza while baking as baking times vary between ovens.
- This Paneer Pizza recipe allows for both regular/thick and thin-crust pizzas. It yields 4 to 5 medium-thick or 7 thin-crust pizzas.
Conclusion:
Homemade Paneer Pizza Recipe is a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought pizzas. By using high-quality ingredients and making the pizza dough from scratch, you can enjoy a flavorful and wholesome meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or a casual get-together with friends, this Paneer Pizza recipe is sure to impress everyone with its unique blend of Indian and Italian flavors.
FAQs about Paneer Pizza Recipe:
Can I use store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, you can use store-bought pizza dough if you prefer. However, making the dough from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking.
Can I use frozen paneer instead of fresh paneer?
Yes, you can use frozen paneer if fresh paneer is not available. Make sure to thaw it completely before marinating and using it on the pizza.
Can I omit the spinach from the vegetable topping?
Yes, the spinach is optional, and you can omit it if you prefer. Feel free to customize the toppings according to your taste preferences.
How long can I store leftover pizza dough?
Leftover pizza dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil before storing it.
Can I make this Paneer Pizza ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pizza dough and marinate the paneer and vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble the pizza just before baking for the best results.
