Malai Kofta — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Bind the koftas with a little cornstarch and fry a test one first. Paneer-potato koftas love to fall apart in the oil; a test ball tells you whether to add more starch before you lose a whole batch to the fryer.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 4 servings

Paneer

Grated fresh; the soft milky base of the koftas.

8 oz

Local / market

Potato

Boiled and mashed to bind the koftas with the paneer.

2 potatoes

Local / market

Cornstarch

A little to hold the koftas together in the hot oil.

2 tbsp

Local / market

Cashews

Soaked and blended; the body and richness of the gravy.

1/2 cup

Local / market

Tomatoes and onion

Cooked down and pureed into the smooth base of the sauce.

4 tomatoes, 1 onion

Local / market

Cream

Stirred in at the end for the malai richness the dish is named for.

1/2 cup

Source it →

Garam masala and ginger-garlic

The warm spice and aromatic base of the gravy.

1 tsp, 2 tbsp

Local / market

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Getting greedy

Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Make the koftasMix grated paneer, mashed potato, cornstarch, and salt into a smooth dough and roll into balls.
Test and fryFry one test ball; if it holds, fry the rest to golden and drain, otherwise add more starch.
Build the gravyCook onion, ginger-garlic, and tomato down, add soaked cashews, then blend smooth and strain back to the pan.
Simmer and enrichSeason with garam masala and a little sugar, simmer, then stir in the cream.
Assemble to serveAdd the koftas to the warm gravy just before serving so they stay soft, and garnish with cream.

The Toolkit

Deep pot · Blender · Fine strainer

Straight Answers

Can you make Malai Kofta in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Malai Kofta? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Malai Kofta ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Malai Kofta gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Malai Kofta vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.968

Malai Kofta, and where to source it