Cheese Bread Pakora

Bread pakora is another interesting snack that goes well in the rains. It’s one of our favorite snack. And what better way to oomph the classic recipe up than by adding cheese in it. This Cheese Bread Pakora recipe is just that. Though, White Bread is a popular choice for making bread pakoras. However, even Brown Bread or whole wheat bread can also be used. This recipe makes for a great breakfast option.

About Cheese Bread Pakora

Imagine thick slices of bread, generously smeared with a creamy mixture of grated cheese and chilies. Each slice is then sandwiched together, creating a decadent cheese-filled center that promises a gooey, melty surprise with every bite.

This is exactly what the Cheese Bread Pakora, another variant of the classic North Indian bread pakora is.

In Mumbai, in some places, the bread pakora is made with pav which is stuffed with a potato filling, coated with gram flour (besan) batter and deep fried.

It is then served with green chutney and dry red chutney made from onion, garlic and red chilies. This recipe of Cheese Bread Pakora is more of the North Indian style.

Here, I have used grated processed cheese as a stuffing for the bread. You can also use the bread as it is without any filling, or have the combination of potatoes and cheese as the stuffing. In this case, you can also use cheese slices instead of grated cheese.

You can experiment with the filling inside the bread. For instance, using a filling of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), potato, grated cheese, green peas or combination of your favorite vegetables. I have also shared the recipes of a classic Bread Pakora and Bread Roll that you must try.

I have made this version with processed cheese. You could easily swap it with cheddar or mozzarella or an equal combination of both.

The magic of this Cheese Bread Pakoda lies in the contrast of textures and flavors. The outer layer is delightfully crispy, providing a satisfying softness of the bread that gives way to the gooey, cheesy filling inside.

The spices in the batter add a burst of savory goodness, while the cheese melts into a creamy, indulgent center that’s hard to resist.

Served it hot and fresh with a tangy Tamarind Chutney or spicy green chutney or even tomato ketchup.

How to make Bread Cheese Pakora

Make Batter

1. In a bowl, take 1¼ cups gram flour (besan), 1 pinch of baking soda, ½ teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain), 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala powder and salt as required.

2. Mix all the dry ingredients well.

3. Add water as required.

4. Make a not too thick, not too thin batter. Add a few drops of oil to it and mix.

You can also add ginger-garlic paste to the batter. I have not used it.

Make Cheese Filling

5. You will need 1 cup tightly packed grated processed cheese or 6 to 7 cheese slices.

6. Add 1 to 2 finely chopped green chilies to the grated cheese and 1 teaspoon of grated or minced ginger.

You could also use 1 teaspoon of finely chopped ginger instead.

7. Mix very well.

Assemble

8. Cut 6 to 8 bread slices into 2 triangles.

You can use Whole Wheat Bread or brown bread or white bread or whole wheat Sandwich Bread.

9. Spread the grated cheese filling evenly in one layer on the bread slice.

10. Cover this slice of bread with another bread slice.

11. Ensure that the cheese is evenly filled between the bread slices. Neither overstuff or understuff.

You can also add some mixed herbs or chili flakes or black pepper powder on the cheese filling.

I simply use the cheese filling with ginger and green chillies, without any addition of herbs or ground spices. Repeat the same with the rest of bread slices.

Batter Coat & Fry

12. Now, take the cheese sandwich and coat it completely with the batter.

13. The batter has to coat all the sides of the cheese sandwich evenly.

If not, then the cheese will melt while frying and the melted cheese will leak into the oil, causing the oil to splutter.

14. Either shallow fry or deep fry Cheese Bread Pakora in hot oil. I have shallow fried but you can also deep fry the pakoras.

15. Once crisp and golden on top, flip the pakora and fry till golden. Flip a few times if needed.

16. Place them on a kitchen paper towel to drain excess oil.

17. Serve Bread Cheese Pakora hot with Green Chutney or Tomato Ketchup.

The fun is in eating the pakoras hot as you feel on your palate, the melted cheese with the outer crispy layer. The pakoras are crisp from outside but soft from within.

Expert Tips

1. Choice of Bread: You can use any variety of bread to make this recipe.
2. Adding hot oil to batter: Adding a few drops of hot oil to the batter ensures that the bread does not absorb more oil at the time of frying. It also makes the pakoras crisp.
3. Variations in the filling: You can customize the cheese filling by adding red chilli flakes, more herbs, spices and seasonings too. Other vegetables and paneer can also be included.
4. Oil temperature: The oil should not be too hot nor too cold while frying. If it is not hot enough, the pakoras will absorb more oil than required. If very hot, then the pakoras will get burnt or cooked on the outside but not inside.
5. Choice of Cheese: I have made these Bread Cheese Pakora with processed cheese, but even cheddar and mozzarella cheese can be included. You could even make them with an equal mix of cheddar and mozzarella.

This Cheese Bread Pakoda from the archives was first published on August 2009. It has been updated and republished on May 2024.