Crispy, golden brown schnitzel is a delicious treat that’s usually fried, resulting in a greasy mess. But I’ve discovered a way to make schnitzel that’s just as tasty and ultra-crisp without deep frying – by using an air fryer!
This easy recipe for air fryer chicken schnitzel cuts out the fat and calories from frying so you can enjoy a healthier version of this classic dish.
The results are schnitzels with a shatteringly crisp outer layer encasing juicy, flavorful chicken. It tastes like something from your favorite German restaurant but is made right at home. Even better, clean up takes just minutes since there’s no dealing with batches of hot oil.
I can’t wait to share this simple method for making the best air fryer schnitzel you’ve ever tried! Read on for the easy step-by-step recipe.
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick Weeknight Meal – This air fryer schnitzel comes together in just minutes! With only a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have a hot, crispy schnitzel on the table in under 30 minutes any night of the week.
Skipping the mess and hassle of frying makes this recipe even easier for busy weeknights.
Perfectly Crispy Without Frying – Get that coveted crispy, golden schnitzel crust without submerging the chicken in oil. The air fryer gives you all the crunch you crave without the greasiness of frying. This lighter cooking method also reduces unwanted calories.
Flavored To Perfection – A seasoned flour coating and crispy panko breadcrumbs provide layers of flavor in every bite. savory garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and onion powder spice up the chicken, while the panko gives great texture.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this air fryer schnitzel recipe you will need:
- 3.5oz (100g) Flour
- 6oz (170g) Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 pound (700g) Chicken Breasts (butterflied)
- 1 Egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
👨🍳 How To Make
Easily make chicken schnitzel in air fryer! Follow this simple recipe:
Step 1
Mix the flour, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and onion powder in a bowl.
Step 2
Beat the egg in another bowl. And then add the breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
Step 3
Evenly pound each piece of chicken breast. I like my schnitzel pretty thin.
Step 4
Coat the chicken in the seasoning mixture. Then, dip it in the egg, and then coat it in the breadcrumbs. Repeat for all the remaining chicken breasts.
Step 5
Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C). Once it’s hot, place the chicken inside in a single layer (cook in multiple batches if needed). Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 6
Remove the schnitzels from the air fryer and serve with your favorite side dish. Enjoy this tasty air fryer chicken schnitzel!
💡Tips
1. Pound the Chicken Evenly for Maximum Tenderness
To ensure your schnitzels cook up tender, pound each chicken breast to an even 1⁄4-inch thickness all over. Use a meat mallet or heavy pan to gently yet firmly flatten the chicken.
Watch that you don’t tear the meat. An uneven schnitzel means some parts will end up dry while others are underdone. With an uniform thickness, the chicken will fry beautifully golden on both sides with a tender, juicy interior every time.
2. Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer Basket
Be sure not to overload the air fryer basket with too many schnitzels at once. Overcrowding prevents air from circulating evenly around each piece, resulting in uneven cooking. Fry the chicken in batches to allow ample space between each schnitzel, flipping halfway through cook time.
Resist the temptation to stack or cram in more cutlets than can fit in a single layer. You want the hot air to crisp up every bit of that flavorful breading for scrumptious texture and taste.
3. Let Schnitzels Rest Before Serving
After golden frying in the air fryer, transfer the cooked chicken schnitzels to a cooling rack or paper towel-lined plate to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The resting period allows excess oil to drain off the crispy breadcrumbs while letting the juices redistribute through the meat.
Slice into the chicken too soon, and you’ll end up with dry meat and soggy breading. Letting it rest ensures your schnitzels turn out perfectly crispy and juicy every time.
4. Customize the Breadcrumb Coating to Taste
Feel free to adjust the flavor of the breadcrumb coating by using different seasonings or spices. For an Italian-style schnitzel, add dried basil, oregano, parsley and grated Parmesan.
For a Southwest twist, mix in chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. You can also use Japanese panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture. Get creative with the coating to invent your own signature schnitzels! The possibilities are endless.
5. Chill the Breaded Cutlets Before Frying
After breading the chicken breasts, place them in the refrigerator or freezer for 15-30 minutes before frying. The chill helps the coating set up and adhere better to the meat, creating an ultra-crispy shell that locks in the chicken’s juices.
Chilled schnitzels turn out significantly crisper than those fried immediately after breading.
Variations
Here are some of my favorite variations of the air fryer chicken schnitzel recipe:
1. Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Schnitzel: Add some spice to your chicken schnitzel by mixing hot sauce into the egg mixture. After air frying, toss the schnitzel in more hot sauce and serve with a side of blue cheese dressing. Yummy!
2. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Schnitzel: Top the cooked schnitzel with marinara sauce, grated mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. Return it to the air fryer and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a side of garlic bread or spaghetti.
3. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Schnitzel: Brush the chicken schnitzel with BBQ sauce before coating it in the breadcrumbs mixture. Air fry as directed and serve with a side of coleslaw.
4. Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel Caesar Salad: Slice the cooked schnitzel and serve it on a bed of romaine lettuce, topped with croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a homemade Caesar dressing. Add anchovies or grilled onions for an extra burst of flavor. Such a great salad!
5. Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel Club Sandwich: Build a sandwich by layering the cooked schnitzel, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado on toasted bread. Top with another slice of bread and secure with toothpicks.
6. Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel Tacos: Chop the cooked schnitzel into bite-sized pieces and stuff them into flour or corn tortillas, topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce or salsa for an extra kick.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Flour: You can use any type of all-purpose flour for this recipe. If you want to make the schnitzel gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend instead.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs can be used instead of panko breadcrumbs.
You can also make your own breadcrumbs by toasting slices of bread in the oven until crisp, then processing them in a food processor.
Chicken Breasts: You can use chicken cutlets or chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts. Pork or veal cutlets can also be used as a substitute.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: You can use fresh garlic and onion instead of powdered versions. Simply mince 1-2 cloves of garlic and finely chop 1/2 an onion and mix them with the flour.
Smoked Paprika: If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or cayenne pepper instead.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make this recipe low carb and keto-friendly, you can substitute the flour and breadcrumbs with low carb alternatives such as almond flour, coconut flour, or crushed pork rinds.
Instead of using Panko breadcrumbs, you can use a mixture of almond flour and grated Parmesan cheese to give the chicken a crispy coating.
Gluten Free Version
To make this recipe gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure to check that all other ingredients, such as the spices, are also gluten-free.
Storage
The cooked schnitzel is best served immediately while still hot and crispy. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 400°F air fryer or oven until hot and crispy, about 3 minutes.
🌟 Side Dishes Ideas
Serve this delicious air fryer chicken schnitzel with any of these side dishes for a complete meal:
1. Air Fryer Green Bean Fries: These crispy and delicious green bean fries are a perfect pairing for the air fryer chicken schnitzel.
2. Air Fryer Greek Potatoes: These flavorful and tender Greek-style potatoes are a great side dish for the air fryer chicken schnitzel.
3. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash: This sweet and savory side dish is a perfect match for the air fryer chicken schnitzel. The sweet potatoes are seasoned with a blend of spices, giving them a warm and earthy flavor.
The addition of crispy bacon and onions adds a savory and smoky taste that complements the chicken schnitzel perfectly.
4. Air Fryer Onion Petals: These crispy and flavorful onion petals are a great side dish for the air fryer chicken schnitzel. The sweet and tangy flavor of the onions pairs well with the savory and crunchy chicken schnitzel.
5. Air Fryer Potato Peels: These crunchy and flavorful potato peels are a simple and delicious side dish for the air fryer chicken schnitzel. The potato peels are seasoned with a blend of spices, including garlic, onion powder, and paprika, giving them a savory and smoky flavor.
The crispy texture of the potato peels provides a nice crunch that complements the tender and juicy chicken schnitzel.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I don’t have panko breadcrumbs?
You can use regular breadcrumbs in place of panko breadcrumbs. However, panko breadcrumbs give the chicken a more crispy coating.
If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can make your own by toasting bread slices in the oven until they are golden brown. Then, grind them up in a food processor or blender.
2. How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
3. What are some other side dishes that I can serve with the chicken schnitzel?
Some great side dishes that you can serve with the chicken schnitzel include:
- French fries
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Rice
- Salad
- Vegetables
Schnitzel: Air Fryer vs. Deep Frying
The traditional method of pan frying or deep frying schnitzel can add a lot of extra fat and calories. Air frying is a much healthier cooking method.
Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air around the food. This allows the food to get crispy and browned without needing to be submerged in oil. While a deep fried schnitzel is cooked in a few inches of oil, an air fried schnitzel simply gets lightly misted with oil.
The light misting of oil needed for air frying also allows more of the breading to adhere to the meat compared to deep frying. In addition, air frying avoids some of the oil saturation that can make traditionally fried schnitzel greasy or soggy.
Air fried schnitzel is lower in fat, calories, and oil absorption compared to deep fried. Air frying provides the delicious crispiness and golden brown breading with a much lighter nutrition profile. So for your next schnitzel, choose air frying for a healthier take on this beloved dish.
This air fryer schnitzel is a quick and easy recipe that results in a crispy, flavorful chicken dish. Feel free to play around with the seasoning – using paprika, thyme, rosemary or oregano in the breading adds lots of flavor.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the schnitzels in the oven at 425°F for 15-18 minutes as well. Let me know in the comments if you give this recipe a try or if you have any other questions! Also be sure to check out the rest of the recipes on my website for more tasty air fryer meal ideas.
Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel
- 3.5 oz Flour (100g)
- 6 oz Panko Breadcrumbs (170g)
- 1 1/2 pound Chicken Breasts (butterflied) (700g)
- 1 Egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Mix the flour, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and onion powder in a bowl.
- Beat the egg in another bowl. And then add the breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
- Evenly pound each piece of chicken breast. I like my schnitzel pretty thin.
- Coat the chicken in the seasoning mixture. Then, dip it in the egg, and then coat it in the breadcrumbs. Repeat for all the remaining chicken breasts.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C) and spray the basket with cooking oil. Once it’s hot, place the chicken inside in a single layer (cook in multiple batches if needed). Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the schnitzels from the air fryer and serve with your favorite side dish. Enjoy this tasty air fryer chicken schnitzel!
It was very easy, and it’s so crispy. Thanks!