If you're craving something crunchy, saucy, and packed with bold flavours, this Crispy Paneer Sandwich is exactly what you need. This isn't your regular sandwich-it's a full-on flavour bomb that brings together crunch, heat, sweetness, and freshness in the best possible way. This recipe delivers caf'-style magic right in your kitchen.

Crispy Paneer Sandwich

Ingredients

For Crispy Paneer

' 200'250 g paneer, cut into thick rectangles

' Oil for deep frying

' 1 cup breadcrumbs

Slurry

' 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

' 1/4 cup cornflour

' 1 tbsp garlic powder

' 1 tbsp onion powder

' 1 tbsp salt (adjust to taste)

' 1 tbsp chilli flakes

' 1 tbsp black pepper

' 1 tbsp oregano

' Water, as needed (to make a thick batter)

For Gochujang Hot Honey Sauce

' 3 tbsp butter

' 1 tbsp minced garlic

' 1 tbsp gochujang

' 1/2 cup hot sauce

' 1.5 tbsp honey

' 1 tbsp chilli oil

For Cabbage Salad

' 1/2 cup green cabbage, finely shredded

' 1/2 cup purple cabbage, finely shredded

' 2 tbsp sesame seeds, lightly toasted and crushed

' 1 tbsp minced garlic

' 1'1.5 tbsp lemon juice

' Salt to taste

' Black pepper to taste

For Spicy Sandwich Mayo

' 4 tbsp mayonnaise

' 2 tbsp hot sauce

' 1 tbsp mustard

For Assembly

' 4 slices sourdough bread

' Romaine lettuce

' Thick slices of tomato

Method

  • In a bowl, mix all the slurry ingredients and add water gradually to form a thick, smooth batter. Dip each paneer piece into the slurry, then roll in breadcrumbs until evenly coated.

  • Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the paneer until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

  • In a pan, melt butter and saut' minced garlic. Add gochujang, hot sauce, honey, and chilli oil. Mix well and let it simmer for a minute or two until slightly thickened.

  • Add the fried paneer to the sauce and toss gently until each piece is well coated.

  • In a bowl, combine green cabbage, purple cabbage, sesame seeds, and garlic. Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Toss well and set aside.

  • Mix mayonnaise, hot sauce, and mustard in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.

  • Lightly toast the sourdough slices. Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on both sides. Add lettuce, tomato slices, saucy crispy paneer, and a portion of the cabbage salad. Top with the second slice of bread and press gently.

Saumya Goyal (Instagram: @a_culinary_affair)