5 Paneer(Cottage Cheese) Recipes & Nutritional Benefits for Toddlers

We Indians have a penchant for paneer, don't we? It is easy to cook, easy to prepare, is versatile and appeals to young and old alike. Children love it too, and given its nutritional benefits, mothers are not likely to say no to paneer! That is, about right.

This superfood is rich in calcium and is thus great for building strong bones and pearly white teeth in those wonder growing years. It is also an excellent source of protein... Got it? Well, right you are… This is none other than our very Indian Superfood… Paneer.

Paneer (Cottage Cheese) Nutritional Benefits for Toddlers

Paneer is one of the most versatile and tasty foods known to us Indians, a healthy derivative of milk. It can be prepared in hundreds of ways and is widely loved by old and young alike. If your baby is starting on solids or you are in the process of weaning, paneer can serve as an excellent weaning food. Let us see what the nutritional benefits of paneer are for toddlers:

1. Rich in proteins: Being an excellent source of proteins, it is a great start to weaning your baby without introducing her to sweet or salty foods
2. Healthy bones and teeth: Paneer is also very rich in calcium and phosphorus- the building block of healthy bones and teeth
3. Weight gain: Paneer is a derivative of milk and had loads of proteins that go into the building of muscles and improves your baby's weight. It is also a valuable source of fats and vitamins that help in increasing weight
4. Immunity increasing: Paneer is known to boost the immunity of children and adults and keeps one away from common infections like colds, coughs, and pollen allergy
5. Helps your child grow better: With loads of essential vitamins and minerals to its credit, paneer help a child grow better by aiding in providing better nourishment

When Can Paneer Be Given To Babies?

I was so much at peace till 6 months when there was nothing else then breastmilk to keep my baby thriving and happy. But after that, the whole world seemed one large confusing stage. Different people told me different things, and I was absolutely going bonkers. Basically, after bananas, apples, and rice-daal khichdi, paneer can be introduced to babies safely during their 7th month. However, bear in mind that some babies may still react to milk and milk products that are not breastmilk or formula. To avoid the chances of any unpleasant happenings after giving paneer to your child, make sure you make your own paneer at home. (I have shared the process in the end).

How To Give Paneer To A Baby?

I started with home-made, soft mashed cottage cheese with no salt or sugar. My baby started loving it that I made paneer for her after twice every week. You can also just serve home-made paneer to baby, it is softer, lighter and you are sure that it is free from additives.

5 Paneer Recipes For Toddlers (Indian)

Here I am sharing a few paneer recipes that my child likes especially paneer tikka. Yes, paneer tikka. I know what you are thinking. Paneer tikka for a toddler – but if it is homemade it can be made with simple spices. No need to add too much garnishing or spices. And your toddler will love it. Relish and enjoy!

1. Paneer Kheer Recipe For Toddlers
   • Ingredients For Paneer Kheer Recipe
     • 2 cups of milk
     • 200 gms paneer( cottage cheese)
     • 2 tsp Dry fruits powder
     • 2 tsp sugar
     • 2-3 deseeded date
     • 1 tsp cardamom powder
   • Directions To Prepare Paneer Kheer Recipe For Toddlers
     • Boil the milk in a vessel you regularly use for boiling
     • Once the milk is boiled, lower the flame and add a finely chopped date in the milk and let it simmer for 10 -15 minutes
     • Turn off the gas knob
     • Now grate the paneer. Remember the paneer needs to be grated and not crumbled or crushed
     • To the boiled milk add grated paneer. Turn on the gas knob again and cook the milk again for 5 – 10 minutes
     • As the milk starts thickening add the dry fruit powder, sugar and mix it well
     • You can either serve it chilled or warm
2. Paneer Wheat Crackers Recipe For Your Toddler
   • Ingredients For Paneer Wheat Crackers
     • 1/2 cup cold crumbled paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese
     • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
     • 1/4tsp baking powder (optional)
     • 100 gms salted butter (7 tbsp) (can use unsalted and add salt to it)
     • 2 small onion, roughly chopped
     • 1-2 green chilly
     • 2 tsp carom/ajwain seeds
     • 20 curry leaves chopped
   • Directions To Prepare Paneer Cookies For Children
     • Take a sieve and in it sieve wheat flour and baking powder together and keep it aside. Sieving wheat flour and baking powder ensures soft textured cookies and biscuits
     • Next, ensure to set the oven to 170 degrees C preheat and then grease a baking tray and keep it aside as well
     • Now coarsely grind the onions, green chili, carom (ajwain) seeds and curry leaves(Kari Patta)
     • In a separate bowl take the crumbled paneer and butter, whisk it till it is a smooth paste
     • Once the paste is a smooth and slightly thick consistency, add flour and the rest of the ingredients to this and mix well or knead it if need be to form a non-sticky, stiff dough
     • Now with the help of a rolling pin, roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters. If you are sure of getting the right thickness then you can also use your hands to flatten the dough to make round cookies. While flattening the dough with your hands, ensure that the cookies are thin to make them crispy
     • Make the holes in the cookies with the help of fork so that they don't swell up
     • Bake them for 15 to 20 mins at 170 C while regularly checking it every 5 minutes so that they are not overdone
     • Once the cookies start turning brown just take them out and let them cool on a wired tray
     • The cookies may look soft in the beginning but as they cool down they will turn crispy
     • Once the cookies are done take an airtight jar to store them
     • Homemade cookies will last for more than 15 days if stored properly or if not gobbled up your children in less than 10 days
3. Spinach & Paneer Rice
   • Ingredients For Spinach Paneer Rice
     • ¼ cup chopped spinach
     • ¼ cup of rice washed and rinsed
     • ¼ cup chopped paneer
     • ½ teaspoon of ghee
     • Salt to taste
   • Directions To Make Spinach and Paneer Rice
     • In a pan, add clarified butter or ghee and cooked rice
     • Cook for 1 minute
     • Then add paneer, salt, a bit of water and cook for a few minutes
     • Serve when the rice is at room temperature
4. Paneer Pakoda For Toddlers
   • Ingredients For Panner Pakoda
     • 2 cups of gram flour
     • 1/2 cup of rice flour
     • 250gm of paneer (Cottage Cheese)
     • 1 Tbsp of baking soda
     • Salt to taste
     • 1 cup of Oil
   • Directions To Prepare PaneerPakoda For Toddlers
     • Mix gram flour, rice flour, salt, water, and baking soda in a large bowl
     • Leave it aside for 10 to 15 minutes
     • Dip the paneer (Cottage Cheese) cubes in the mix
     • Now heat the oil in a wok and fry the paneer (Cottage Cheese) until it turns golden brown in color
     • Serve with tomato ketchup
5. Paneer Tikka Recipe For Children
   • Ingredients For Paneer Tikka For Children
     • 200 gm of paneer (Cottage Cheese), cubed
     • ½ capsicum, cubed
     • ½ onion
     • ½ tomato, cubed
     • ½ Tbsp of ginger-garlic paste
     • 1 Tbsp of chili powder (optional)
     • ½ Tbsp of KasooriMethi (dried fenugreek leaves)
     • ½ Tbsp of chat masala
     • ½ Tbsp of tandoori masala (optional)
     • ½ Tbsp of lemon juice
     • 1 cup of yogurt
     • 1 Tbsp of oil
     • Salt to taste
   • Directions To Make Paneer Tikka Recipe For Children
     • Mix the yogurt, lemon juice, salt, ginger-garlic paste and all the spices in a bowl
     • Soak the paneer (Cottage Cheese) cubes and the veggies in the marinade. Refrigerate for four hours
     • Now arrange the vegetables and paneer (Cottage Cheese) cubes on a skewer
     • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
     • Brush some oil on the baking tray, paneer (Cottage Cheese) and vegetables
     • Grill the paneer (Cottage Cheese) and vegetables for 15 mins

How to Make Home-Made Paneer For Babies?

Making paneer at home is quite a simple task, though it may take a little time. But the result is soft, fresh, tasty paneer free from additives. This paneer can be served as it is to babies and toddlers alike. Just a few minutes will give you peace of mind that your baby is having and loving this nutritional powerhouse.

Ingredient to Make Paneer at Home

1. Just a liter of milk. You could even take more milk depending on how much quantity you want.
2. Take full-fat milk – for that soft, mash paneer
3. A lemon, spoon of curd or vinegar to add to milk
4. A hard bottom vessel and a muslin cloth to strain the liquid

Method to Prepare Paneer At Home

1. Take full-fat milk in a container and let it come to a boil
2. Simmer the milk for a few minutes
3. Add about a spoon of curd or a few drops of lemon or vinegar to milk. Just one of these three things is good enough
4. Let the milk start to cuddle and keep stirring so that it does not burn
5. Once you can see that the milk has curdled well, switch off the flame and let the milk rest
6. Strain the curdled milk through a muslin cloth. Be careful as the liquid will be hot
7. Drain the whey by knotting the top of the cloth and squeezing the paneer gently
8. Place this paneer beneath a heavy vessel to make it firm
9. Cut, mash, great – home-made paneer is all yours

Hope you all enjoy making these recipes, as much as I enjoy. Do share your feedback and views with us on the recipes and do you have some more paneer recipes? Share them with us in the comments section below.