Paneer Firecracker Rolls
Paneer Firecracker Rolls is a delicious vegetarian starter of spicy paneer encased in a delicate filo pastry and baked to just the right temperature.
These bite-sized rolls of deliciousness pack a punch of flavour and are certain to become a crowd-pleaser in no time. I just love the explosion of flavours when these ‘firecrackers’ explode when bitten into, engulfing one’s palate in a riot of beautiful flavours and textures. Soft, tender paneer in a spicy schezwan sauce, sweet onions and juicy peppers all wrapped in crispy pastry.
If you have never used filo (phyllo) before it is a very thin unleavened dough (made with plain flour, salt and oil) and used for making pastries such as baklava in Middle Eastern cuisines. Filo-based pastries are made by layering many sheets of filo brushed with oil or butter; the pastry is then baked resulting in ultra-crispy and delicious pastry.
I love spring rolls and often make them at home when I am making Indo-Chinese food. Give me a big bowl of wonton soup with spring rolls for starters and I am in food heaven (followed by chilli paneer, vegetables in hot garlic sauce and simple fried rice– I do love my main course too). These rolls are baked in the oven, and I prefer to make them when I am short of time as they can be quickly assembled.
Try this recipe for a delicious easy starter which is perfect for anytime of the week or that matter year!
Ingredients
250 grams filo pastry sheets (5-6 sheets)
2-3 tablespoons melted butter/ oil for brushing
For The Filling
1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon chilli, garlic and ginger paste
grams paneer (cut lengthwise into thin strips)
1 onion sliced
1 green pepper sliced lengthwise
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon schezwan sauce
Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1-2 teaspoons finely chopped spring onions
Directions
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_170412494_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_170524784_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_170908456_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Heat oil in a pan and add the ginger, garlic and chilli paste. Sauté for 1-2 minutes and add the onions. Sauté for 1 minute and next add the peppers.
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_171110070_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_184433572_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Add the paneer and cook on medium to high heat for 2-3 minutes or until the paneer begins to brown slightly.
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_184515780_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_184459454_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_184544450_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_184714160_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Add the schezwan sauce, soya sauce, salt, pepper and spring onions and mix. Add the spring onions and turn off the heat. Let it cool down to room temperature.
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_191928741_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192055010_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Heat the oven to 160C/ 140 Fan/Gas 3.
Carefully unwrap the filo pastry and lay down one sheet on the work surface and brush it with some melted butter/oil all over the top making sure the edges are covered too. (Keep the remaining filo sheets covered under a damp towel so they don’t dry out).
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192118374_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192121969_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192627701_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Gently press the second sheet of filo on top. Repeat the process until you have stacked up 4-5 sheets. (Do not brush butter on the topmost sheet as we are going to spoon filling on it). Keep the remaining filo squares covered under a damp towel so they don’t dry out.
Cut the stacked filo sheets into 6-8 squares.
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192650380_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192702479_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192708186_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_192722313_iOS-scaled.jpg)
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_193051521_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Spread the paneer filling along one side of the filo square closer to the edge, leaving about ¼ inch on each end. Gently roll up the filo sheet to form a cylinder shape like a tube.
Transfer the roll, seam side down, on a baking tray.
![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_193101863_iOS-scaled.jpg)
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![Paneer Firecracker Rolls Recipe](https://www.foodie-trail.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211210_195303848_iOS-scaled.jpg)
Brush melted butter on the top of the rolls.
Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot with Szechwan sauce.