Air Fryer Schnitzel: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Schnitzel is a classic German dish that can be made with chicken, pork, or veal. It is typically prepared by pounding a cutlet of meat, breading it, and then frying it. Traditionally, schnitzel is fried in oil, but it can also be cooked in an air fryer. Using an air fryer can reduce the amount of oil needed, making it a healthier option. It also cuts down on cook time and cleanup. To make schnitzel in an air fryer, you will need to bread the meat and then cook it in the air fryer for a few minutes on each side until it is golden brown and crispy.

Schnitzel recipe ingredients

Schnitzel is a dish that can be made with either chicken or pork. The recipe ingredients vary slightly depending on the type of meat used, but the core ingredients are the same.

Chicken Schnitzel Ingredients

To make chicken schnitzel, you will need:

• Chicken breasts or chicken fillets
• Plain or all-purpose flour, also known as coating flour
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Oil, for cooking

Pork Schnitzel Ingredients

The ingredients for pork schnitzel are very similar to those for chicken schnitzel, with a few small differences. You will need:

• Boneless pork chops
• All-purpose flour, or coating flour
• Garlic salt, or a combination of garlic powder and salt
• Paprika
• Black pepper, freshly ground
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Oil, for cooking
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Additional Ingredients and Sides

In addition to the core ingredients, you may want to include some of the following to enhance the flavour of your schnitzel or to serve as sides:

• Parsley
• Spätzle
• German potato salad
• French fries
• Mashed potatoes
• Creamy coleslaw
• Macaroni salad
• Classic potato salad
• Baked potato wedges
• Baked beans
• Broccoli salad
• Salad greens

Schnitzel preparation

Schnitzel is a classic German dish that can be made with chicken, pork, or veal. Preparing schnitzel in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to pan-frying, as it requires less oil and has a shorter cooking time.

To prepare chicken schnitzel in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients: chicken breasts, plain flour, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Start by slicing the chicken breasts down the middle to create the ideal size and thickness for schnitzel. Place each chicken breast between two pieces of cling wrap and use a rolling pin to pound them to a thickness of about 2 cm. Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly beat the eggs with milk in the second bowl. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumb mix, pressing the breadcrumbs firmly to coat. Transfer the coated chicken pieces to a tray, cover, and chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for about 3 minutes. Spray the basket with a little cooking oil to prevent sticking. Place two pieces of chicken in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not touching, and spray the tops with oil. Set the timer for 12 minutes and cook, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken pieces, working in batches if necessary. Serve the chicken schnitzel hot with lemon wedges and a fresh garden salad or Israeli salad on the side.

To make pork schnitzel in an air fryer, you will need boneless pork chops, all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, cooking spray, and lemon wedges for serving. Trim the fat off the pork chops and cut them in half to create four cutlets. Use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to pound the cutlets to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Similar to the chicken schnitzel preparation, set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix the flour, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. In the second bowl, whisk the egg with milk. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. Dip each pork cutlet in the flour mixture, then in the egg wash, and finally in the breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F to 390°F for at least 3 minutes, and ideally closer to 10 minutes, for even cooking. Lightly spray the schnitzel on both sides with oil and place two cutlets at a time in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Remove the first batch and repeat the process with the remaining cutlets. Serve the pork schnitzel with traditional parsley and lemon wedges, adding a splash of lemon juice right before eating.

You can also prepare Wiener schnitzel using veal cutlets and a similar breading process as the chicken and pork schnitzel. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the veal cutlets for 5 minutes on each side, spraying with cooking spray after flipping.

Air fryer settings

When making schnitzel in an air fryer, it is important to preheat the air fryer before cooking. The ideal temperature for cooking schnitzel in an air fryer is 400°F (200°C). Preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes, but for a more even cook, preheat for closer to 10 minutes.

Before placing the schnitzel in the air fryer, spray the basket with a little cooking oil. Place the schnitzel in the basket, ensuring that the pieces are not overcrowded or overlapping, and spray the tops with a little more oil. This will help to ensure that the crumbs turn golden brown.

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the schnitzel. For pork schnitzel, cook for 3 minutes, flip, then cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the schnitzel is golden brown. For chicken schnitzel, cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once about 3/4 of the way through to ensure both sides are golden and crispy. For veal schnitzel, cook for 5 minutes, flip, then cook for another 5 minutes.

It is important to note that the size of your air fryer will determine how many pieces of schnitzel you can cook at once. You may need to work in batches if you are cooking for a larger group.

Cooking the schnitzel

Chicken Schnitzel

To cook chicken schnitzel in an air fryer, you will need an air fryer, a sharp kitchen knife, and a few wide shallow bowls for crumbing. You can use chicken breasts, or for a juicier option, chicken thighs. The chicken breasts should be sliced down the middle to create the perfect size and thickness for your schnitzel. Place the chicken between two pieces of cling wrap and use a rolling pin to pound it until it is roughly 2 cm thick.

Prepare three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix plain flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. In the second bowl, whisk an egg with either water or milk. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. For an extra cheesy flavour, add some grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture. Alternatively, add dried thyme or rosemary for an herb-infused crust.

Now, dip the chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Finally, dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs down so they adhere. Transfer the crumbed chicken to the fridge for about 15 minutes.

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for about 3 minutes. Gently spray the basket with a little cooking oil, then place the crumbed chicken inside, ensuring they are not touching and are arranged in a single layer. Spray a little more oil over the chicken. This will ensure the crumbs turn golden brown.

Cook for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Turn the chicken once about 3/4 of the way through to ensure both sides cook evenly. The chicken is ready when it is golden and crispy. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a fresh garden salad.

Pork Schnitzel

To cook pork schnitzel, you will need boneless pork chops, from which you will cut the fat off and cut them in half to make 4 cutlets. Place plastic wrap underneath and on top of the cutlet to keep the area clean. Use a meat tenderizer, heavy pan, or rolling pin to pound the pork cutlet down to about 1/4 inch in thickness.

Prepare three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix all-purpose flour, seasoned salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk an egg with milk. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and paprika. For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular.

Dip each cutlet in the flour mixture, coating both sides. Then dip the cutlet in the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumb mixture, patting to help the coating adhere.

Preheat your air fryer to 375-390°F for at least 3 minutes, and ideally closer to 10 minutes. Spray the schnitzel lightly on both sides with oil and place in the basket, ensuring they are not touching.

Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the pork schnitzel is golden brown. Remove and set aside while you repeat for the second batch. Serve with lemon wedges and a creamy dill sauce.

Serving the schnitzel

When serving schnitzel, it is best to do so straight away while the schnitzel is still hot and crispy. Chicken schnitzel can be served with lemon wedges and a fresh garden salad. Pork schnitzel is traditionally served with parsley and lemon wedges, and a splash of lemon juice right before eating is said to be tasty.

Chicken schnitzel can be served with a refreshing Israeli salad, and pork schnitzel can be served with a tangy dill sauce. The dill sauce can be made by whisking flour and chicken broth in a saucepan until smooth, then bringing the mixture to a boil and cooking for two minutes or until thickened. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in sour cream and dill. Heat through, but do not let the sauce boil.

If you have any leftovers, you can let the schnitzel cool and place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, use the air fryer until the schnitzel is hot and crispy again.

Frequently asked questions