Cheesy Masala Pav Recipe

Cheesy Masala Pav recipe with Mumbai street-style flavours. Learn how to make buttery, cheesy, spicy masala pav with simple ingredients. Includes variations, serving ideas, tips, FAQs, and quick steps.

Cheesy Masala Pav is the ultimate comfort snack — buttery pav pieces tossed in a spicy, tangy masala and finished with molten cheese.
This recipe brings the authentic Mumbai street-food vibe to your kitchen with simple ingredients and a quick method. Perfect for evening cravings,
small gatherings or bowl-of-comfort moments when you want something quick, cheesy and full of flavour.

Traditional Value

Masala Pav evolved from Mumbai’s famous pav-bhaji culture. Street vendors and home cooks would toss soft pav into leftover bhaji or a quick tawa masala to make an instant, satisfying snack.
Over time, cooks added butter, extra spices and — more recently — cheese for a richer, creamier finish. Cheesy Masala Pav is a modern twist on a beloved street classic.

Is it Healthy?

This is an indulgent snack — rich in butter and cheese — so it’s best enjoyed in moderation. You can make healthier choices without losing much flavour:

• Use whole wheat pav or smaller rolls to reduce refined carbs.
• Reduce butter, or use light butter alternatives.
• Choose low-fat cheese or use less cheese and add more vegetables like peas, corn or spinach for fibre.

Watch video and learn how to make Cheesy Masala Pav

Key Ingredients

Short Steps (Quick Summary)

1. Heat butter in a tawa; sauté onion, garlic and chillies until soft.
2. Add tomatoes and capsicum; cook until tomatoes break down.
3. Stir in pav bhaji masala, red chilli and turmeric; cook until aromatic.
4. Add a splash of water to make a soft masala and simmer briefly.
5. Slice pav, butter on tawa and toast lightly until golden.
6. Toss pav briefly in the masala so it soaks flavour, place on a plate and top with grated cheese.
7. Cover to melt cheese for 30–60 seconds; garnish with coriander and serve hot.

Full Method (Step-by-step)

Step 1 — Prepare the masala: Heat 1½ tbsp butter on a wide tawa or skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and green chillies. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds (optional).

Step 2 — Cook tomatoes & veggies: Add chopped tomatoes and capsicum. Cook until the tomatoes break down and the mixture looks pulpy. If tomatoes are firm, sprinkle a little water to help them soften.

Step 3 — Spice it up: Add pav bhaji masala, red chilli powder, turmeric and salt. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the masala becomes fragrant and oil starts to separate slightly.

Step 4 — Adjust consistency: Add a splash (1–2 tbsp) of water to form a soft, slightly loose masala. Simmer for another minute and switch off. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 5 — Toast pav: Slice the pav horizontally. On the same tawa, add remaining butter and toast pav pieces until golden and slightly crisp.

Step 6 — Combine & cheese: Toss toasted pav briefly in the masala so the pav soaks a bit of the spice. Arrange pav on a serving plate, top with generous grated cheese and immediately cover (lid or plate) for 30–60 seconds to melt the cheese.

Step 7 — Finish & serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon if you like. Serve hot with chutney, sev or a cup of cutting chai.

Variations

• Cheese Burst Masala Pav: Place a small cube of cheese inside each pav before toasting for a molten core.
• Veggie-Loaded: Add boiled peas, sweetcorn, grated carrots or crumbled paneer to the masala for extra nutrition.
• Tandoori Twist: Mix a pinch of tandoori masala or a spoon of tandoori mayo into the masala for smoky notes.
• Jain Version: Skip onion & garlic; use extra capsicum and tomatoes with the same masala spices.
• Air-Fried / Oven-Grilled: Assemble pav with cheese and finish under a grill or in an air fryer for a crispier top.

What to Serve With Cheesy Masala Pav

• Hot cutting chai or masala chai
• Green chutney or garlic chutney
• Crunchy sev or papad for texture
• Simple tawa-fried potatoes for a fuller plate
• Cold sodas or fizzy drinks for a street-food vibe

Tips & Tricks for the Best Result

FAQs

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Cheese Masala Pav

5 from 1 vote

Cheese Masala Pav is a popular Indian street food snack that combines the flavors of Mumbai's iconic Pav Bhaji with melted cheese, typically served as a savory treat with a buttery, toasted pav base topped with a spiced vegetable mixture and cheese. It is often enjoyed as a quick snack or evening tea companion.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Onion: 1 cup diced
• Potatoes: 2 medium boiled and mashed
• Carrot: 1 cup boiled and chopped
• Green Chilli: 2–3 chopped
• Ginger Paste: 1 tsp
• Garlic Paste: 1 tsp
• Butter: 2 tbsp for sautéing + 8 tbsp (for toasting pav)
• Tomato: 2 chopped
• Boiled Peas: 1/4 cup
• Paneer: 1/4 cup chopped
• Cheese Spread: 3 tbsp
• Grated Cheese: 1/2 cup
• Pav Buns: 4
• Pav Bhaji Masala: 1 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder: 1 tsp
• Coriander Leaves: 2 tbsp chopped
• Salt: To taste
• Chilli Flakes: To taste

Equipment

• Large non-stick pan or kadai
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Baking tray
• Oven or toaster oven
• Knife and cutting board
• Grater (for cheese, if needed)

Method

 

1. Heat a pan and add 2 tbsp butter. Add chopped onions, carrots, potatoes, and green chilies. Stir in ginger paste and garlic paste. Cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, peas, coriander leaves, pav bhaji masala, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for 4 minutes.
3. Mash the vegetable mixture thoroughly for 4 minutes until smooth. Stir in paneer and cheese spread. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Cut the pav buns in half horizontally. Toast them on a griddle or in a toaster with 8 tbsp butter until golden and crisp.
5. Spread the cooled cheese masala mixture evenly on the bottom half of each pav.
6. Sprinkle grated cheese generously on top. Place the pav on a baking tray and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from oven, sprinkle chilli flakes and additional coriander leaves on top. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Safety Notes: Ensure the oven is preheated before baking. Handle hot pans and trays with oven mitts. Use caution when melting cheese to avoid burning.

Substitutions: Use mozzarella or cheddar cheese instead of cheese spread. Replace paneer with extra cheese if preferred. For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and cheese.

Storage: Store leftover masala filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before assembling. Baked pav is best served fresh.