Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets

Achieve crispy, golden turkey breast schnitzel (turkey cutlets) in your air fryer with ease. Master a few simple tricks and you’ll get results that rival traditional deep-frying.

Essential Ingredient: Fat

In any culinary venture, fat is a game-changer—it not only carries flavors but also allows for higher cooking temperatures, delivering a variety of textures.

For an exceptional turkey schnitzel, it’s crucial to incorporate fat into the turkey breast before breading. Since the air fryer relies on circulating hot air rather than oil, this step is key.

Choosing Your Fat

Select from a variety of fats like olive oil, goose fat, duck fat, or bacon grease, each adding its own unique flavor profile to the dish. This not only boosts the taste but also serves as a healthier option compared to traditional oils high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Slicing and Tenderizing Turkey Breast

The secret to the perfect schnitzel lies in getting the slice thickness and tenderization just right. Properly preparing the meat ensures even cooking and keeps it tender.

• Slice the turkey breast into 1-1.5 cm (about half an inch) thick pieces.
• Tenderize to about 6-8 mm in thickness (1/4 inch), using a few layers of plastic wrap to maintain the meat’s integrity.

Seasoning and Breading

Lightly coat the turkey slices with your chosen fat and season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper.

For breading, follow these steps for the best texture:

1. Dip in flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Coat with beaten egg, allowing any extra to drip off.
3. Cover in breadcrumbs, again shaking off any excess to avoid a heavy breading.

Cooking Instructions

Always start with a preheated air fryer.

Place the breaded turkey slices in the air fryer and cook at 355 F (180 C) for 15 minutes. Turn them once halfway through and then again 1-2 minutes before the end of cooking. This process ensures an evenly crispy finish.

Note: Keep in mind that breaded dishes in an air fryer will appear lighter in color compared to those deep-fried, but they will be just as crispy and flavorful.

Enjoy your air fryer turkey cutlets, a deliciously crispy dish that’s perfect for any meal, without the heaviness of oil-fried schnitzel!

Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets

Crispy air fryer turkey breast schnitzel

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Instructions

 

• Begin with the setup for traditional breading. Organize flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs into separate plates or bowls. Season the egg well with salt and pepper.
  
• Slice the turkey breast into roughly 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) slices. Carefully tenderize under several layers of plastic wrap to the desired thickness. Lightly coat the slices with your chosen fat, and season with salt and pepper.
  
• Bread the turkey slices by first coating in flour, then dipping in the egg, and lastly covering in breadcrumbs. Be sure to shake off excess and let any extra drip off between each step to maintain a light, even coating.
  
• Preheat the air fryer. Cook the breaded turkey slices at 355 F (180 C) for 15 minutes, turning once at the halfway mark and again a couple of minutes before they're done.
  

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