Pork Schnitzel in Air Fryer

There are two important things you must know when it comes to making pork schnitzel in an air fryer:

1. Yes, you can achieve that perfect schnitzel—crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
2. However, it’s not as simple as just breading your meat and tossing it in the fryer. That approach won’t cut it.

To nail the perfect air fryer pork schnitzel, you’ll need to embrace two game-changing tricks that I’m excited to share with you.

The Lowdown on Pork Schnitzel and Fat

In cooking, fat is fundamental. It’s the secret carrier of robust flavors and allows us to crank up the heat, achieving that delectable crispy texture.

So, no pork schnitzel is truly perfect without a bit of added fat. Especially when using an air fryer, where the cooking medium is air, not oil, you have to introduce fat directly to the meat.

The most crucial tip for a flawless air fryer pork schnitzel? Apply a thin layer of fat to the meat before you even think about breading. This small step is transformative.

The beauty here is the freedom to choose any fat you prefer. Skip the standard and often unhealthy options like vegetable or canola oil unless you want to. Why not try something like olive oil, goose fat, or even bacon fat? These alternatives not only bring a health boost but also enhance your dish with extra flavor.

Two Secrets to Perfect Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel

1. Before breading, brush a thin layer of your chosen fat onto each schnitzel—about 3-4 grams should do. Opt for a high-quality fat that you love.
2. Season the egg and flour well. Since seasoning the fat-coated meat directly is tricky, enrich the egg wash and flour with ample salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Cook the schnitzels in the air fryer at 355°F for 15 minutes to achieve that irresistibly crunchy exterior with a succulent inside, mirroring the finest deep-fried schnitzels.

Remember to turn the schnitzels a couple of times during cooking—once at about the 6-7 minute mark, and again 6-7 minutes later.

Serve these beauties straight from the air fryer, hot and crispy.

Pork Schnitzel in Air Fryer

How to make delicious, soft and crunchy pork schnitzel in an air fryer

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 14 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless pork chops sliced
• 5 tbsp flour
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 30 g fat see the recipe for details
• salt
• black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

 

• Set up a classic breading station with three plates: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for breadcrumbs. Season the flour and eggs with salt and pepper. This initial step ensures the seasonings enhance the flour and eggs rather than the meat, setting the stage for the second trick.
  
• Prepare your meat. Pound the slices to about ¼ inch or 5-7 mm thick. Dry them off with paper towels.
  
• Gently coat each meat slice with your chosen fat. Proceed with breading in the traditional sequence: first flour, then eggs, and lastly breadcrumbs. This layer of fat is crucial, as no additional oils will be used during cooking, yet it’s essential for achieving that perfect crispy finish.
  
• Preheat your air fryer. Cook the breaded meat at 355°F (180 C) for 15 minutes, turning once halfway through and again towards the end of cooking.
  
• Serve your schnitzels warm from the fryer, crisp and delightful.
  

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