Air-Fried Turkey Schnitzel: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Turkey schnitzel is a delicious dish that can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil and mess. This cooking method yields a light and crispy texture without the grease of traditional pan-fried schnitzel. The air fryer circulates hot air around the breaded turkey, creating a golden crust while keeping the meat tender and juicy. This introduction will cover the ingredients, preparation, and cooking process for making mouth-watering turkey schnitzel in an air fryer.

Preparing the turkey cutlets

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Set Up Your Workstation:

Start by gathering all the ingredients you need for the breading process. This includes flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, eggs, water or milk, and breadcrumbs (preferably panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture). Set up three shallow bowls or plates in a line. In the first bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with a small amount of water or milk to create an egg wash. In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Cut and Pound the Turkey Cutlets:

If your turkey cutlets are not already thin enough, use a sharp knife to trim any excess fat or connective tissue from the edges. You want the cutlets to be of a uniform thickness, ideally around 1/4 inch thick. To achieve this, you can place the cutlet between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat tenderizer, a heavy pan, or a rolling pin to gently pound the meat until it reaches the desired thickness. This step ensures that the cutlets cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.

Step 3: Dredge the Turkey Cutlets:

Now it's time to coat the turkey cutlets with the breading. Set up a dredging station with your three bowls/plates. Take one cutlet and dredge it in the flour mixture, making sure to coat it evenly. Shake off any excess flour. Then, dip the floured cutlet into the egg wash, ensuring it is well coated. Finally, dredge the cutlet in the breadcrumbs, pressing down gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat. Repeat this process with the remaining cutlets. It is important to work with one cutlet at a time to avoid clumping and ensure an even coating.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket:

Once all your cutlets are breaded, it's time to prepare the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded cutlets in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Leave some space between each cutlet to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cutlets in batches.

Step 5: Spray and Cook the Turkey Cutlets:

Lightly spray the tops of the cutlets in the air fryer basket with oil. This will help create a crispy, golden crust. Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, typically around 375-390°F. Cook the cutlets for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your cutlets and the specifications of your air fryer. Flip the cutlets halfway through the cooking process and spray the second side with oil.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared turkey cutlets that are ready to be cooked to crispy perfection in your air fryer. Remember to work in batches if necessary and always ensure a light coating of oil on the cutlets and the air fryer basket for the best results.

Making the breading

The first bowl should contain flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined. This flour mixture will serve as the first layer of the breading, helping the egg wash and breadcrumbs adhere to the meat.

The second bowl should contain beaten eggs. You can add a small amount of water or milk to the eggs to make an egg wash, which will help bind the breadcrumbs to the meat and create a crispy coating. Whisk the eggs until they are well combined and smooth.

The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. You can use plain, dry breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own homemade breadcrumbs. Add a small amount of paprika to the breadcrumbs for a subtle warmth and sweetness. Mix the breadcrumbs and paprika together until well combined.

Now you're ready to start dredging the turkey cutlets. First, dip each cutlet into the flour mixture, coating both sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour before moving on to the next step.

Next, dip the floured cutlet into the egg wash, ensuring it is well coated. Again, allow any excess egg to drip off before moving on.

Finally, dredge the cutlet in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure it is completely coated. Gently shake off any excess crumbs and place the battered cutlet on a separate plate.

Repeat this process with the remaining cutlets, and you'll have perfectly breaded turkey schnitzel ready for the air fryer!

Coating the turkey

To coat the turkey for schnitzel, you'll need to set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or plates.

In the first bowl, mix together flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. You can also add dried tarragon, dried thyme, dried rosemary, or dried mixed herbs to the flour. In a separate shallow bowl or pie plate, beat a couple of eggs with a tablespoon or two of water. You can also add garlic puree to the egg wash. Place the panko bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl or plate. If you don't have panko, you can use regular breadcrumbs or make your own.

Now you're ready to start dredging the turkey cutlets. First, dredge a cutlet in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it in the egg wash, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dredge the cutlet in the bread crumbs, making sure it's completely coated, and shake off any excess crumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining cutlets.

Cooking the schnitzel

Now that you have your ingredients and your air fryer preheated to 375°F (or 390°F), it's time to cook your schnitzel!

First, cut off any white fat on the edges of the turkey breast cutlets and carefully cut the pieces of turkey in half to make cutlets about 1/2 inch thick. Then, place plastic wrap underneath and on top of the cutlet. Using a meat tenderizer, heavy pan, or rolling pin, pound the cutlet down to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Repeat this process for all the cutlets.

Next, set up three shallow bowls or plates for the breading process. In the first bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with a tablespoon of water. In the third bowl, place the panko bread crumbs. Arrange the three plates in a line, starting with the flour, followed by the egg, and then the bread crumbs.

Now it's time to dredge the turkey cutlets. Dredge one cutlet in the flour until covered, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it in the egg wash and dredge it in the bread crumbs, making sure to coat it completely. Shake off any excess crumbs and place the battered cutlet on a plate. Repeat this process for the remaining cutlets.

Once all your cutlets are battered, spray the basket of the air fryer with oil. Place as many battered cutlets as will fit comfortably in the basket without overcrowding and spray the cutlets with oil.

Cook the cutlets at 375°F until the top is browned, about 5 minutes. Flip the cutlets, spray the second side with oil, and cook until the other side is browned and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Depending on your air fryer, this should take around 5-8 minutes. Repeat this process for any remaining cutlets.

Finally, serve your turkey schnitzel hot with plenty of lemons for squeezing or spritzing. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried turkey schnitzel!

Serving suggestions

Turkey schnitzel is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and accompaniments to enhance its flavour and make it a more substantial meal. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your air-fried turkey schnitzel:

Lemons and Sauces

As turkey schnitzel can be dry, it is often served with lemons to spritz or squeeze over the meat. This adds a burst of freshness and moisture to the dish. You could also serve the schnitzel with a sauce, such as a creamy dill sauce, gravy, or a dip. A dill sauce can be made by whisking together flour and chicken broth, then adding in sour cream and dill weed.

Salads and Vegetables

A refreshing Israeli salad is a great side dish to accompany the schnitzel, adding some crunch and freshness to the meal. Alternatively, you could serve it with a spinach salad, or sauerkraut for some extra texture and flavour.

Starchy Sides

For a more filling meal, you could serve the schnitzel with starchy sides such as French fries, sweet potato fries, or mashed potatoes. For a more traditional German approach, you could serve it with spatzle, or warm German potato salad.

Meat and Cheese

For a heartier meal, you could pair the turkey schnitzel with some cheese or additional meat. Grated Parmesan cheese can be added to the breadcrumb mixture for a cheesy crust. Alternatively, you could serve the schnitzel with a side of bacon, or make a chicken cordon bleu bake as a complementary dish.

Frequently asked questions