Schnitzel

This is how to make a Schnitzel that’s extra crunchy and beautifully golden!  Schnitzel can be made with pork, veal, chicken, beef or turkey. So use whatever meat you want.

If you’re after a traditional German schnitzel, use pork. Or for Austrian, use veal!

Schnitzel

I love all things fried and my bottom hates me for it.

And of all deep fried things, Schnitzel is very high up on the list. I certainly had more than my fair share during my travels in Austria!!

Despite my love of all things deep fried, doing it at home is rare, mainly because I have a thing about “wasting” oil. Usually if I deep fry something, I end up using the same oil to make something else just so I’m not “wasting” it.

Not so good for Da Diet.

But quite simply, there are some things in this world that are worth deep frying, and a seriously crunchy, perfectly golden schnitzel is one of them.

What kind of meat is used for schnitzel?

Schnitzel is most commonly made with pork, chicken or veal. But it’s also made with beef and mutton. There are loads of different varieties, especially across Europe. But the two most well known ones are:

• German  – made with pork
• Austrian (Wiener Schnitzel)- veal

My favourites are pork and veal – for flavour, texture and fond memories of my travels!

How to make Schnitzel

There’s nothing tricky about making schnitzel.

• Pound meat of choice (pork, veal, chicken, turkey, beef)
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper;
• Coat in flour, dredge in egg, coat in panko breadcrumbs (SUPER extra crunch!)
• Fry until golden

I like to use a rolling pin to pound the meat because there’s less risk of tearing the meat, but you can use a meat mallet if you have one.

The meat shown in the step photos below is pork. The photo at the top of the page is chicken.

Shallow Fry. Not Deep Fry!

Actually, you don’t need to deep DEEP fry schnitzel. I shallow fry  in about 1.5cm / 3/5″ oil. That’s enough to ensure the crumb cooks evenly.

Using more oil doesn’t really make any difference.

How to serve Schnitzel

• Straight up with just a squeeze of lemon. It’s certainly juicy enough such that you don’t need a sauce!
• Schnitzel sauce – my favourite is mushroom gravy. Use the Mushroom Gravy in this recipe.
• On the side – mashed potato, fries or crispy potato rosti* are common options.
• Fresh side – I also like to serve it with a side of something fresh, like this Everyday Cabbage Salad

* Recipe provided in the recipe notes

This whole food blogging business – editing photos, making videos, and writing about all this deliciousness that is schnitzel – really can be painful. As in – torture. It’s Monday and I swore I was going to be good this week (yeah, yeah, I know you’ve heard it before). I have Healthy Spanish Veggie Soup waiting to be reheated.

Now all I can think about is schnitzel. 😩

Freshly made, golden brown, extra crunchy, super juicy inside. This is a must!!! – Nagi x

More crunchy crumbed chicken 

• Golden Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders – also the Parmesan version
• Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast – LOW CARB marvel!
• Shortcut Healthy Crunchy Chicken Schnitzel
• Oven Fried “KFC” Chicken Tenders (11 secret herbs & spices!)

And more things worth deep frying

There’s not many! I’m very selective about what I deep fry – I have to really love it!!

• Churros
• Arancini Balls
• Falafel
• Spring Rolls
• Coconut Shrimp

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Schnitzel recipe video! This is made with pork. I only cooked 1 in the skillet because I used a smallish skillet for safety reasons (I use a gas stove for videos, skillet is quite high off the work surface).

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Schnitzel!

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Recipe VIDEO above. Golden brown and extra crunchy schnitzel. No need to deep fry, just shallow fry it. Make schnitzel with pork, chicken, veal, beef or turkey! These are quite big - about 22 cm/ 9" long, but they are thin. 

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:15 minutes

Total Time:25 minutes

Servings:4

Hover over "Servings" value to reveal recipe scaler

Author:Nagi

Course:Mains

Cuisine:Austrian, German, Western

Keyword:Schnitzel

Ingredients

Choose ONE of these:

• 600g / 1.2 lb boneless pork (4 steaks / boneless chops, about 150 g/5 oz each)
• 600g / 1.2 lb large chicken breasts (2 pieces,300g / 10 oz each)
• 600g / 1.2 lb veal or beef steaks (4 pieces, 150g / 5 oz each)
• 600g / 1.2 lb turkey breast cutlets (4 pre sliced pieces, 150g / 5 oz each)

Schnitzel:

• Salt and pepper
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Note 1)
• Oil for frying (canola, vegetable)

Instructions

• Chicken breast prep: cut in half horizontally to create two steaks.
• Place the protein of choice on a work surface and cover with a sheet of baking paper or cling wrap. Use a rolling pin to pound to even thickness about 0.8 cm / 1/3" thick (don't pound too thin, hard to handle / might tear).
• Sprinkle both sides of meat with salt and pepper.
• Place flour in one dish, panko in another (or use a large tray for both like I did, see photos), and whisk eggs in a bowl.
• Coat meat in flour, shake off excess. Dip into egg, shake off excess. Press into breadcrumbs, and turn, pressing to adhere, then transfer to plate. Repeat.
• Heat 1.5cm / 3/5" oil in a heavy based deep skillet over medium high heat.
• Dip the end of a schnitzel in to check if the oil is hot enough - it should sizzle straight away (see video).
• Carefully place 2 schnitzels in the oil and cook for 3 minutes until deep golden, turn then cook the other side for 3 minutes.
• Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining schnitzel. 
• Serve with lemon wedges - I usually serve schnitzel plain like this. Or see note for Mushroom Gravy recipe. Also see note for potato rosti, pictured in post.

Recipe Notes:

1. Panko breadcrumbs are larger than normal breadcrumbs so they create a far better crunchy crumb. Readily available in large supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. 

2. MUSHROOM GRAVY - use the gravy in this Chicken with Mushroom Gravy recipe.

3. Crunchy Potato Rosti (pictured in post): 2 - 3 large brushed (Sebago) potatoes (US: russet), grated using a box grater. Squeeze out excess liquid with hands, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Cook pancake shapes about 12 cm / 4.5" wide, 0.75 cm / 1/4" thick in 1 tbsp butter + 1 1/2 tbsp oil (I use olive) over medium high heat. Press down lightly to compact into rosti, 3 min each side, drain on paper towels.

4. Nutrition per serving, schnitzel only assuming this is made with chicken breast.

Nutrition

Serving: 149gCalories: 374kcal

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats or leave me a comment & rating below.

Originally published August 2017. Updated for housekeeping matters March 2019, no change to recipe.

LIFE OF DOZER

Do this with a ball, and he just sits there and watches as it bounces away.

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