Tandoori Paneer Pizza Recipe | Easy Restaurant Style

Some flavours just stick with you for life, don’t they? For me, Tandoori Paneer Pizza will always remind me of scrambling for food during college exam nights. We didn’t have fancy ingredients, but we made do – leftover rotis, a little paneer, a generous squeeze of ketchup, and some grated cheese if we were lucky. That wild experiment gave birth to a pizza so unique that my friends still talk about it.

Now, I make this pizza at home all the time, but with more thought and real tandoori flavours. The best part – no expensive gadgets needed. A simple tawa or even a kadhai does the job. This recipe is for every desi kitchen.

Why Tandoori Paneer Pizza Is an All-Time Favourite?

Let’s admit it, Tandoori Paneer Pizza is more than just fusion—it’s an emotion for those who want the best of both worlds. Whether you grew up on Domino’s spicy paneer pizza recipe or your go-to party fix is that homemade tandoori paneer pizza, this is a snack that’s here to stay.

• It’s a spicy paneer pizza recipe packed with flavour and cheese.
• Tandoori masala paneer pizza brings in all your favourite Indian spices.
• You can enjoy restaurant-style paneer pizza at home, without the wait for delivery.
• Easy tandoori paneer pizza can be made on a tawa, in an oven, or even with a pressure cooker!
• Once you taste it, you’ll end up making this paneer tikka pizza recipe again and again.

Childhood, College & Pizza Memories: A Slice of India

My love affair with Tandoor Paneer Pizza started in my teenage days. College nights meant hunting for something filling and quick. All it took was leftover rotis, a dash of ketchup, some paneer, and whatever veggies were lying around.

In those days, a homemade tandoori paneer pizza felt like a five-star treat! Even now, the cheesy pull and smoky masala remind me of laughter, late-night stories, and the simple joy of sharing food with friends.

What Makes This Tandoori Paneer Pizza Different?

Forget boring pizzas. This is about that smoky, spicy paneer, a soft yet crunchy crust, and colourful toppings that remind you of street food markets and weddings. Here’s what makes it special for every Indian food lover:

• Desi dough: Fluffy inside, lightly crisp outside, never dry.
• Paneer Tikka magic: Paneer cubes marinated in thick curd, fresh ginger-garlic, lemon, tandoori masala, and the works.
• Spicy sauce: Tangy, garlicky, and spiced just right.
• Veggie burst: Crunchy onions, capsicums, maybe a few sweet corn or olives if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Melted cheese: Lots of mozzarella or even Amul cheese for that old-school taste.

Ingredients for Tandoori Paneer Pizza — All Easy to Find

Here’s the breakdown for a proper homemade tandoori paneer pizza that feels restaurant-style but is made in your own kitchen:

For the Pizza Base (Makes 2 Medium Pizzas) 

• 2 cups maida (or use 1 cup maida, 1 cup atta for extra fibre)
• 1 tsp instant dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil (olive or regular refined)
• ¾ cup warm water (adjust as needed)

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For the Tandoori Masala Paneer Topping 

• 200g paneer (cut into medium cubes)
• ½ cup thick curd (hung curd works best)
• 1 tbsp tandoori masala (readymade or from your spice box)
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

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For the Pizza Sauce 

• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red chilli flakes
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp sugar
• Salt as needed

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Toppings 

• Sliced onions, capsicums (red/green/yellow), tomatoes (optional), olives, sweet corn.
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese or Amul processed cheese
• Extra chilli flakes, oregano

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Step-By-Step: Tandoori Paneer Pizza Recipe Like Never Before

Make Your Dough (Takes 10 min, then rest)

• Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water in a big bowl. Wait for 5-8 minutes till it froths—you want that bubbly magic.
• Add maida, salt, and oil. Mix everything well, then knead for 8-10 minutes till the dough is soft and not sticky.
• Cover with a damp cloth. Rest in a warm place for 1 hour—watch it double like a good foodie dream!
• Punch down, knead briefly, and split into two balls for each pizza.

Marinate the Paneer (While Dough Rises)

• In a bowl, mix curd, tandoori masala, chilli powder, haldi, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and oil. Add salt.
• Toss paneer cubes till each piece is well coated. Let it marinate at least 30 minutes (longer = deeper flavour).

Make the Sauce (While Paneer Soaks)

• Heat butter in a pan, add garlic, and sauté till fragrant.
• Add tomato puree, chilli flakes, oregano, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
• Cook on medium till sauce thickens (8-10 min). Set aside.

Prepare Veggies & Cheese

• Slice onions, capsicums, and any other veggie you love.
• Grate cheese (more is always better, but that’s up to you).

Cook or Grill Paneer

On a hot tawa or grill pan: Drizzle a little oil, add marinated paneer cubes. Cook until golden and smoky on all sides. Set aside.

Roll & Shape the Pizza Base

• Preheat your oven (200°C) or get your tawa/kadhai ready.
• Dust the surface with flour. Take a dough ball and roll it into a ½-inch thick round. Pinch the edges for a nice crust.

Pre-Bake (Optional But Worth It)

Place the base on the tawa or tray, cook one side for 2 mins on medium heat, then flip.

Assemble Your Pizza

• Spread a generous spoonful of the spicy sauce on the base.
• Toss on onions, capsicum, corn, tomato—whatever you love.
• Scatter the tandoori paneer cubes evenly.
• Cover with a heavy layer of cheese, extra chilli flakes, or oregano.

Bake or Cook to Perfection

• Oven: Place on a lined tray, bake at 200°C for 12-15 min until crusts are golden and cheese is bubbling.
• Tawa method: Cover with lid on low flame, cook till cheese melts and base is crisp.
• Kadhai method: Use a metal stand, place the pizza in a preheated kadhai, cover, and cook till done.

Serve Immediately

When it’s golden, slice up your tandoori paneer pizza and serve it with chutney, ketchup, or a chilled glass of masala soda.

FAQs – All About Tandoori Paneer Pizza

Can I skip the yeast in the dough?

Yes! Substitute with baking powder and a little curd for a quick pizza base, though the classic one rises better.

What if I don’t have tandoori masala?

Mix garam masala, smoked paprika or normal chilli powder, cumin, and coriander powder. Taste comes close!

How to make it spicy like restaurant-style paneer pizza at home?

Add extra green chillies to your paneer marinade and top your pizza with fresh chillies.

Healthier version ideas?

Use half atta for the base and swap regular cheese for low-fat or plant-based cheese.

Can I store the dough?

Yes, keep covered in the fridge. Use within 2 days for best results.

Desi Twists & Tips for a Perfect Homemade Tandoori Paneer Pizza

• No oven? Use a tawa or kadhai—low flame, covered cooking makes the cheese melt perfectly.
• For party vibes: Cut into bite-sized squares, serve as spicy paneer pizza recipe snacks on a tray.
• Experiment: Go all out! Add pineapples, jalapeños, or whatever you like. Indian kitchens are all about jugaad.
• Double cheese? No judgment.
• Leftover paneer tikka? Use as a topping. This is the ultimate way to make easy tandoori paneer pizza when in a hurry.